Ladies 1st X1 vs Harrogate - Saturday 16th February 2008

Won 2-1
M.O.M Debbie Roper, Rachael Thomas and Martine Brown.

Chester continued their good form to overcome Harrogate on Saturday. A shaky start saw the Ladies go down 1-0 in the first half after Harrogate managed to break through the Chester defence to score the first of the game. However, at half time Chester realised they had to pull together and fight hard for a win against a team desperate for a win to avoid relegation. The Ladies came out hard playing better hockey which began to allow them chances going forwards. The ball eventually fell to Martine Brown from at a short corner who equalised and let the Chester side back into the game. Continued pressure from Chester right from the backline through to the forward line paid off when Becky Horan fired the ball into the 'D' for Debbie Roper to put a second past the Harrogate keeper.

Player of the match was shared between Debbie Roper, Rachael Thomas and Martine Brown.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Springfields - Sunday 10th February 2008

Lost 2-1

On Sunday, Chester travelled to Preston to play top of the table, Springfields. Chester knew they had their work cut out for them and their aim was to perform well. This they did and made the game hard work for the Springfield side who were expecting an easy game. Springfields scored two lucky goals in the first half, but Chester did not give up and in the second half tested the Springfield defense. Chester were awarded for their hard work with a great team goal. Chester searched for an equaliser but were unlucky not to find the deserved goal. Hopefully Chester will continue this form to keep them in the league.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Bolton - Saturday 9th February 2008

Won 4-1
M.O.M Sophie Clough

Chester proved they have what it takes to stay in this league this weekend. On Saturday Chester played Bolton at home, where a change in their form began. The Ladies played some fluid hockey to overcome the mid-table team.

Chester went out hard from the start, having most of the possession, and creating great attacking moves, which inevitably resulted in Chester scoring a well taken goal from Debbie Painter. Chester continued to press Bolton and managed to win a penalty corner, the ball was slipped left allowing captain Lucy Hull to score.

Bolton managed to pull a goal back before half time, but this did not worry the Chester side, they knew they just had to keep pressing the way they had been and continue communicating and passing around the Bolton side to win the game.

The second half saw Chester dominate, playing some of their best hockey of the season. Two desperate fowls from the Bolton defense resulted in two penalty flicks from which Martine Brown tucked both away to ensure the win. Sophie Clough was player of the match.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Bowden - Saturday 19th January 2008

Lost 7-1

Chester Ladies travelled to Bowdon this weekend, where they were hoping to continue their form from the previous week. On a different playing surface a good warm up was essential to the side and this appeared to have worked as the Ladies went out hard from the first whistle. Chester looked confident and had most of the play. They continued to work hard, knowing they had to score first to settle nerves and give them a boost. Finally, their chance came when a well placed ball into the 'D' from Debbie Roper allowed Martine to deflect the ball on the volley into the back of the net.

Chester continued to pressure Bowdon after this, but an unfortunate break against the run of play allowed Bowdon to equalise.

After the half time break Chester knew they had to continue to put Bowdon under pressure. However, Chester appeared to fall apart and Bowdon began to turn the game around and broke through to score twice. After this the Chester Ladies heads dropped and Bowdon capitalised to put another four past Chester in the space of a few minutes. In the last ten minutes Chester picked their game up and started to play some great hockey, but it was too little too late and the final score was 7-1. Hopefully the Ladies will regain their composure for next week.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Preston - Saturday 12th January 2008

Drew 1-1
Scorer – Sophie Clough
M.O.M Donna Jones

Chester Ladies came back from the Christmas break with a bang. They took on second in the league, Preston this Saturday. The Ladies knew it would be a tough game and despite some confusion with umpires before the game Chester kept their concentration and went into the game confident.

For the first half Chester broke down Preston's attacking play and were patient with their own forward play, aiming to tire the opposition. This began to work, as Preston slowed, Chester were able to play some great hockey and were rewarded on the whistle of half time when awarded a short corner. From which Sophie Cloughs drag flick caught the Preston defence out, putting Chester 1-0 up on the break.

Moving into the second half, Chester knew they had to keep the hard work up to keep Preston out, this was working for the Ladies who had much of the possession. However, some confusion at the back when picking up players allowed Preston the chance they needed and this chance they took, scoring to bring the score level once again.

This gave Chester more determination to come back and score a second. The Ladies did not give up and demonstrated some great play and despite numerous deflections and players hitting the post, Chester were denied every time. The game ended a 1-1, but a great effort from the all Chester girls, if they keep this up they will fly through the second half of the season. Player of the match awarded to Donna Jones.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Wigan - Saturday 3rd November 2007

Won 1-0
M.O.M: Sarah Underhill

Chester's high spirits continued on Saturday after making hard work for themselves in beating Wigan 1-0. Chester were confident after their win last week, but on the pitch this did not seem to be the case. There was no communication between the girls and because of this the ladies were not supporting each other and passes were going astray. Wigan were quick to make the most of Chester's mistakes and put unexpected pressure on the Chester defence, but Sophie Clough and Rachel Thomas remained solid at the back keeping Wigan out. Towards the end of the first half Chester began to pull it together and started to play positive hockey going forwards.

Chester went into the second half knowing that communication was the key to winning this game. They worked hard to break down any Wigan play right from the front line with Sarah Underhill putting the defence under pressure hassling them all the time. They began to stretch the Wigan players by switching the ball across to Lucy Hull who was then able to set up fast attacks down the right wing between Nicole Haigh and Debbie Roper.

Chester then won a penalty corner from which Becky Horan converted from a right slip. With not long left until full time, all Chester had to do was hold onto the ball and not give it away. However, these things are never so simple and Wigan fought hard to find an equaliser, but Chester persevered and kept them out to secure a win.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Poynton - Saturday 27th October

Won 3-1
M.O.M: Nicola Sutcliffe

Chester played Poynton at home this Saturday and were confident they were going to see their first win of the season.

Chester applied pressure to the Poynton side from the first whistle. The first goal came as a result of a team effort from a free hit at the back, sending the ball to Nicole Haigh, she switched the ball from the left to Debbie Painter, allowing her to send the ball into the 'D' to a waiting Martine Green who struck the ball home from a clean shot to leave the keeper standing.

At half time Chester knew 1-0 was not enough and so started the second half as they did the first. The Ladies were rewarded with another team goal from which Lucy Hull came from the back, passing the ball to Debbie Roper who skillfully beat a Poynton defender to take the ball to the back line and send it across the goal to Katherine Baker running in to slot home the second..

Chester than began to feel comfortable and they began to make things difficult for themselves giving Poynton space to attack into, resulting in a series of short corners, but all were denied by the organised Chester short corner defence. Poynton were able to hit back with a goal, which kicked Chester back into gear.

Realising a mere one goal lead put Poynton back in the game, Chester stepped up the tempo and thankfully Chester scored a third as a result of Debbie Roper intercepting a Poynton pass and slipping the ball to Nicola Sutcliffe who fired the ball into the 'D' for Sian French to put away with one touch.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Olton and West Warwickshire 1st X1 - Sunday 21st October

Lost 7-0
M.O.M: Jess Ollerhead

This Sunday Chester Ladies travelled to Olton for the English Hockey Cup. Although the girls were up against opposition three divisions above them, they were not going to be deterred and went out to play a good game of hockey no matter what the score.

Chester were pressed right from the off, which was not unexpected. They showed some great defensive play and worked the ball out when possible to the midfield, but the Olton girls were quick to put the pressure on and much of the play was in Chester's defensive half. However, Chester broke forward and managed to win a penalty corner, which was denied by the Olton defence.

Olton went on to score five goals, four being from well routined penalty corners and only one from open play.

At half time coach Stu Field was pleased with the performance from the Chester girls. They were holding strong in defence and when they were able to attack they were building well.

Into the second half Chester aimed to keep Olton out of the 'D'. They did this well and worked hard for each other, unfortunately Chester conceded a penalty flick, which Olton tucked away.

After this Chester upped the tempo to keep the score line at 6-0, however Olton managed to win a penalty corner on the whistle of full time and despite Chester's efforts, the ball slipped into the back of the net.

The girls should be proud of such a strong performance against such opposition, a great confidence boost for next week when the league resumes. Chester entertains Poynton at home on Saturday.

Man of the match went to Goalkeeper Jess Ollerhead who kept the Chester side in the game.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Bowdon Ladies - Saturday 29th September 2007

Score: 2-2
M.O.M: Susie Twist

First home game of the season and the Ladies had a point to prove to the rest of the league, they are not going to be beaten at home! The game was slow to start, with neither side showing much threat. It was Bowdon that broke the score line first. However, Chester were fired up by this and began to let fewer Bowdon attacks through.

After a half time break, Chester found their feet when awarded a short corner, allowing Elan Iorwerth to score. The score line was now level and the two sides became more competitive. Chester fought hard for every ball and connected well through their passing and communication and thus, coach Stu Field and the team’s hard work seemed to be paying off. And to reward this, Chester took the lead from a second short corner allowing Sian French to score. The Ladies now knew what they had to do, keep the opposition out and this they did well.

However with seconds lefty on the clock, Bowdon broke through to win a controversial penalty corner, which was blocked and cleared only for Bowdon to be awarded a second corner on the whistle of full time. The corner was played out and after some scrappy play in the ‘D’ the ball was netted for the final score line to be Chester Ladies2, Bowdon Ladies 2.

Player of the match went to Susie Twist, who displayed an outstanding performance in the defensive unit.

Ladies 1st X1 vs Preston Ladies - Saturday 22nd September 2007

Lost 5-0

The Ladies first team travelled to Preston on Saturday in pursuit of a much needed win to settle start of season nerves. After positive talk in the dressing room the Ladies were ready to prove themselves. They came out strong and put Preston under immediate pressure, having most of the possession. However, they were unfortunate to be caught out twice in the first half as Preston slotted two past them and just as half time approach some uncertainty lead to Preston scoring a third.

Although 3-0 down, Chester came back after the half time break confident they could turn the score line around, but despite the hard work throughout the whole team Preston netted two more goal. The team showed true character and battled to the very end and frustration from the back saw Rachel Thomas take the ball up the pitch and strike from top 'D', only to be denied by the crossbar.

Proof of their hard work and great team performance was in the close result for player of the match. The votes were scattered across the team with the result being a tie between Rachel Thomas, Sarah Underhill and Sian French.

Next week the Ladies play Bowdon at home.