Hockey: Northop Hall approach season’s end with mixed fortunes

Mar 29 2012 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

A REARRANGED fixture saw Northop Hall slip to a 4-1 defeat at home to high-flying South Cheshire in North Hockey Men’s League Division Two West.

With the season drawing to a close and little to play for, Hall turned in a mediocre performance.

Keeper Mike Burgoyne arrived late so for 10 minutes forward Nick Critchley padded up. In that time Hall took a 1-0 lead as young Aled Affleck set up Ben Wilkinson to score.

South Cheshire rallied to take a 2-1 lead shortly into the second half.

Neil Worrall then missed a penalty flick before South Cheshire struck twice more to take the points.

Hall’s final home game of the season on Sunday saw them make amends as they beat Wrexham 7-3.

Critchley set up Pete Hoyland for his first goal of the season and when Wrexham drew level Critchley latched on to a Neil Worrall pass and restored their lead.

In the second half Worrall scored the first of two goals early on before man-of-the-match Rhys Price also struck a double.

Ben Wilkinson finished Hall’s scoring for the afternoon and although Wrexham scored again, it was too little too late.

Hall finish their season on Saturday at Deeside Ramblers.

A weakened Northop Hall 2nds returned from Windermere having lost 8-1, Niall Hurst scoring a consolation goal.