Hockey – Hall are on the up!

Dec 12 2008 by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

NORTHOP Hall’s revival continued on Saturday as they won 3-0 at rock-bottom Preston 2nds to haul themselves out of the North League Division Two (West) drop spots.

But, such is the confidence flowing through their ranks, Smithy Lane’s finest returned home disappointed at not having scored more.

Ian Warren broke the deadlock midway through the first half after Alistair Brown’s short-corner strike had been saved.

With Preston losing their discipline, leading marksman Nick Critchley doubled the advantage after the break before Paul Cochrane completed the scoring by putting a finishing touch to a well-worked attack.

Third-from-bottom Hall, now unbeaten in four, will be without Critchley for tomorrow’s visit of sixth-placed Southport, but Andy Murray and James Hawker could return.

Northop Hall 3rds produced their best hockey of the season on Saturday as they sent previously-unbeaten Bramhall 3rds packing 8-0.

But the stunning success was not enough for Hall to hold on to top spot in North West League Division Seven (South), as Wilmslow 2nds battered Bebington 4ths 12-0 to take over pole position on goal difference.

Dave Singleton got the ball rolling from a short corner before Richard Young reacted quickest to follow up Ralph Nugent’s effort.

With Nugent and Stewart Tasker in fine midfield form and wingers Jim Doerr, Ron Williams and Jac Lloyd-Jones running riot on the wings, Lloyd-Jones then created the first of Kelvin Hughes’ three goals before getting in on the act himself.

Singleton’s second was the pick, a brilliant deflection off Nugent’s free hit, before Young, from a short corner, and Hughes, with a penalty and a powerful drag flick, wrapped up a superb afternoon’s work.

Second-placed Hall head to relegation-threatened Sale 2nds tomorrow, but without Nugent.

Northop Hall 2nds slipped to seventh in Division Four on Saturday after they lost 5-2 at Lancaster University.

Hall trailed by two at half-time, but they came out fighting after the restart and gave themselves hope when a pass from Craig Williams found Jon Weston, whose excellent ball into the D was tucked away by hitman Chris Staniforth.

But, after a top stop denied Murray an equaliser, Lancaster hit back to seal the victory, although Pete Ketland did reduce the deficit with the aid of deflection.

Hall host basement boys Sale tomorrow.

Northop Hall 4ths were down to the bare bones for Saturday’s trip to Division Nine (South) high-flyers Brooklands MU 7ths – but that didn’t stop them from producing a superb team performance.

A last-gasp goal condemned Hall to a 3-2 defeat after Lewys Taylor and Tom Snowdon efforts, aligned with outstanding goalkeeping from Mike Sealey, looked like earning them the draw they deserved.

Second-from-bottom Hall host sixth- placed Crewe Vagrants 4ths tomorrow.

Northop Hall Beavers, inspired by man-of-the-matches Harry Turner and Kris Wright and with goals from hat-trick hero Joe Turner, Gemma Williams and Jason Roberts, won 5-1 at Alderley Edge Beavers on Saturday.

Hall, who are at home to Oxton tomorrow, were: Jake Ffoulkes, Jacob Ellis, Mike Williams, Gemma Williams, Harry Turner, Joe Turner, Thomas Preece, Eric Durham, Jason Roberts, Kris Wright, Dylan Wright, Harpal Panesar, Kieran Homersley, Alistair Owen.