Chester Ladies 2s v Alderley Edge Ladies 3s

Chester Ladies 2s v Alderley Edge Ladies 3s
Chester 2 – Alderley Edge 1

Player of the match: Ryanne Bardgett

As a result of the bad weather in December, it had been a month since Chester Ladies 2's had stamped the turf. There were high spirits and enthusiasm before the game with many players fidgety to get first game of 2018 under way.

The weather was cold, the light was gloomy and the pitch was slippy but that didn't deter either side. This was always going to be an edgy game and it didn't fail in its expectations and reportedly gave the Chester manager a coronary or 2 on the side-line. The mental and physical mugginess of the extended Christmas break showed at the start with some procrastinating in Chester decision-making, but that speeded up as the game progressed.

The game was end to end but Chester managed to get on the scoresheet first, midway through the first half, with a well worked penalty corner and the ball being nicely tucked away in the corner of the goal by Claire Sallis. The match continued to be well fought but no further goals were scored in the rest of the first half.

In the second half, many 50/50 decisions were not given Chester's way as the opposition repeatedly attacked in formation up the pitch, but Chester kept fighting. Chester were starting to dominate in the second half and had hoped to see the game out but then 2 minutes before time, the visitors equalised. Chester stepped it up once again and following a scrappy goal line battle, were awarded a penalty flick 1 minute from time. Ryanne Bardgett stepped up and put it away. Final score 2-1 to Chester.