Wilmslow Women’s 1s – 2
Harrogate Women’s 1s – 2
For their last league game of the season Wilmslow faced runaway leaders, unbeaten, Harrogate.
Wilmslow started strongly putting pressure on and after a run up the pitch by Carla Botha they gained a penalty corner.
With the opportunity to acquire the lead Hannah Kelman stepped up to the ‘D’ and slotted in her eighth goal of the season with power and ease.
With the lead the women in orange continued with a strong defence but unfortunately Harrogate scored on a quick break bringing the score to 1-1.
Half time brought an increase of support for the Oranges.
Well into the second half a cross from Amelia Poole into the ‘D’ led to a goal on the line from Nic Mapes, her first of the season, putting Wilmslow back in the lead where they belong.
Strong distribution and defence continued through the second half from the girls at the back leading to many scoring opportunities however the fast paced Harrogate slotted a second in the back of the net bringing the score to 2-2.
Further attack and strong defence continued showing Wilmslow’s skill and composure.
A strong fight finished the final game with a draw.
A good result for the Oranges reflecting a good season; leaving them in a strong sixth place for their first season in a new league.
Wilmslow Women’s 2s had a good (4-3) away win in Wales against Northop Hall 1s, which leaves them in the top half of the table in their first season at this level.
In spite of losing (1-5) to Shropshire side Whitchurch 1s, the Orangetops’ 3s also managed a top half finish.
A tense (4-4) draw against Chester 4s nudged Wilmslow Women’s 4s out of second place with one match to play.
Wilmslow Men’s 1s – 3
Durham University Men – 1
Wilmslow Men’s first team rounded off their successful season with a (3-1) win over Durham University at Oakwood Farm.
Wilmslow had already secured promotion and were cheered on by a raucous home crowd and this gave the men in orange the encouragement they needed to start on the front foot.
Wilmslow pressed aggressively and had repeated success in winning the ball high up the pitch, and this pressure paid off when top scorer Pete Hallinan popped up at the back post to give Wilmslow a 1-0 lead with a simple finish.
Durham were threatening on the counter attack although Wilmslow held firm until half time.
The second half started in the same fashion, and after some more high pressure play by Wilmslow, Jack Wright pounced on a loose ball in the ‘D’ to crash the ball into the bottom corner from a tight angle to double Wilmslow’s lead.
Durham responded well and won a series of short corners which they were unlucky to not score from.
They did however get a goal back after a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-1 and set up a tense finale.
Wilmslow’s nerves were finally settled when David Boddy slid the ball under the onrushing Durham keeper after Wilmslow had once again stolen possession in a dangerous area.
The Men in Orange comfortably saw out the rest of the game to record a win in their final game of the season.
A summer of hard work is now ahead as they look to maintain a position in the North Premier Division after promotion.
In the only other men’s game of the day, the 5s lost narrowly to Bowdon’s veterans (4-5).