DATE

REPORT

20 March

Ladies 1sts vs York -  Won 6 - 2

Chester Ladies, although already promoted to the National League wanted to keep their run of victory. At home against York ladies team they battled with the wind to provide the spectators with yet another display of skill, determination and great team play. The score line at half time was a convincing 4-1 lead to Chester with goals from Debbie Roper, Michelle Daltry (2) and Pat Wells (penalty). The second half the wind was against the Chester team but their fitness showed till the final whistle. Two more goals from Sam Queck and Laura Millar brought the score to 6-1 with York scoring a consolation goal in the last two minutes. 6-2 to Chester.

Anyone interested in Sponsoring Chester Ladies through the National League should contact Philippa Brooking.

13 March

Ladies 1sts vs Deeside Ramblers – Won 4 - 1

A true champions performance took place on Saturday as Chester played Deeside. Early control by Chester enabled them to set the pace. Two fantastic goals by Kim Youdan quickly took Chester in front. A goal from Deeside just before halftime proved that they were still in the game.  Chester rose to the challenge in the second half and dynamically became victorious after two skillfully executed shots from Michelle Daltry took Chester 4-1 ahead. The last five minutes were a real show of Chester’s true fitness, skill and teamwork. As the final whistle blew Chester were    victorious and had enough points to win the league, even with two games to play. The Chester Ladies team is now promoted to National League next season where a new challenge will be set. Congratulations to all the team who have showed professionalism all season.

6 March

Ladies 1sts vs Blackburn – Won 3 - 0

With promotion in sight the Chester ladies team turned up at Blackburn with a professional, determined attitude. The game started very evenly with both teams wanting the win, some amazing saves by Chester’s keeper Gemma Ible kept the score 0-0 at half time. The game once again stepped up a gear and Chester really put on a great performance. Tess Whieldon made a crucial defensive tackle which started the attack that lead to Chesters first goal by Michelle Daltry. In a class of her own Daltry then lobbed the ball skilfully over the keeper to take Chester to 2-0. As the pressure built up on a tired Blackburn side the last 10 minutes was all in Chesters attacking half. Fran O'neil struck the ball from a short corner as it headed goalwards, Sam Queck got a final touch to give Chester a 3-0 victory. A totally dedicated performance by the whole of Chester ladies 1st team squad.

28 February

Ladies 1sts vs Harrogate – Won 4 - 2

Many spectators turned out on Saturday to watch top of the league Chester ladies against Harrogate. With so much to play for Harrogate started strongly and put two goals away in a short space of time. Never having been two goals down before, Chester began to play their game of hockey. Just before half time Catherine Gill came on, to show her fantastic skill as she dribbled the ball along the backline and slotted it into the goal. After half time Chester really gave the crowd something to watch and stepped up the pace. Fran O'Neils strike on goal brought the score to 2-2 closely followed by Laura Millar scoring from another short corner. Harrogate just couldn't keep up with the pace and ball speed of the dynamic Chester side. A skilful delivery by Debbie Roper meant a straight forward goal by Michelle Daltry to give the Chester side a 4-2 victory and another 3 points in the league.

15 February

Ladies 1sts vs Upminster – National Trophy – Draw 3 – 3 – Chester won on flicks

A dramatic All England Cup match was played on Sunday in Upminster. Having travelled the long distance Chester ladies were slow to start. Upminster scored from a penalty stroke in the first 20 minutes. Two more goals were quickly put away by the Upminster side who seemed to be more wanting of the win. Just before half time a goal from Michelle Daltry and an assist from Alex Gill from Chester made the score 3-1 to Upminster. Chester were quick to respond after half time and stepped up the pace. Chester played like a different team with faster ball pace, two touch hockey and clear individual skill that lead to a second goal by Pat Wells from a penalty stroke. The final whistle blew just as Chester were about to take a short corner. The tension was extremely high - Laura Millar managed to get the ball into the back of the net to make the score 3-3 and enable the match to go on for golden goal. Even more dramatic hockey took place with a battle of the two sides that was fierce and fast. Even though a goal was scored by Chester it was unfortunately not given and extra time concluded with no goals. It was then onto penalty flicks. Thanks to 4 great penalties taken by the Chester team and (one not so fantastic) and two brilliant saves by Sharon Durrow in goal Chester were victorious and now go on to the semi finals of the All England Cup.

14 February

Ladies 1sts vs Whitley Bay – Won 3 - 2

The clash of the top two teams in the league occurred on Saturday. Both teams wanting the winning points. It was end to end hockey with both teams defending and attacking well. The first goal came from Whitley bay with Chester equalising shortly after with a goal from Katie Mount. The second from a precision shot by Fran O Neil of Chester after a short corner.  Whitley Bay continued to press hard and equalised again. The final goal was after dynamic attacking movement and was hit into the goal by Michelle Daltry meaning Chester won 3-2 and are now clear points ahead at the top of the league.

7 February

Ladies 1sts vs Driffield – Won 6 - 3

Chester ladies failed to disappoint a home crowd when they played a league game against Driffield on Saturday. A game that showed Chester ladies proving that they are in top of the league form and providing a great team effort. The first goal was scored by Driffield which gave Chester the fuel for the dynamic performance that followed. At half time the score was close at 2-1 to Chester. Having had the 90% of the play it was only a matter of time before the score line started to increase for Chester. Goals by Fran 'O'Neil, Sam Queck, Pat Wells (2) one of which was a penalty flick, Catherine Gill, Michelle Daltry took Chester to a 6-3 win and they remain top of the league.

25 January

Ladies 1sts vs Poynton 1 – Cheshire Cup Final (Sunday 25^th) – Lost 1 - 5

In yet another head to head with Poynton in the Cheshire Cup final, Chester put on a good performance. Some lovely movement from Sam Queck and Kim Youdan led to Chester’s well deserved goal, skillfully put away by Kim.

17 January

Ladies 1sts vs – Edgbaston (3^rd round of the All England Cup) – Draw 2 –2 – Game won on flicks

In this 3^rd round match of the All England Cup, Chester ended up with a 2-2 draw after extra time. Fortunately the girls penalty flicks were on target and Chester won the match and are through to round 4 of the Cup which has been drawn against Upminster.

10 January

Ladies 1sts vs – Winnington Park (Cheshire Cup – semi final) – Won 7 - 2

In this Cheshire Cup semi final Chester had a bit of a fright when they went 2-0 down in the first ten minutes. However, once the cobwebs had been blown away Chester started to play their own game and took control of the match. Winnington struggled to keep up with the fast Chester side, with the final score of 7-2 to Chester reflecting this. Chester are now through to the Cheshire Cup Final.

13 December

Ladies 1sts vs South Cheshire – Cheshire Cup - Won 4 - 3

After a 6-1 win against Rosebury in the league Chester Ladies were still on winning form for their Cheshire cup match against  South Cheshire. Unfortunately the Chester team was reduced to ten players but those ten took control from the whistle. After two great goals scored by Laura Millar and Kim Youdan the Chester team were 2-1 up at half time. The fitness levels were evident in the second half as the Chester team forced the opposition goalkeeper to make a few great saves and play stayed in Chesters attacking half. A short corner was neatly converted into a 3rd goal by Fran O'neil and a break away attack by South Cheshire brought the scoreline a little closer at 3-2. In the last ten minutes the game went from end to end and Pat Wells in the Chester goals kept the ball out of the net and kept the defence tight. Catherine Gill scored another for Chester and then in the last 30 seconds the South cheshire team didn't give up but popped one in the back of Chesters net, making the score 4-3 to Chester.

29 November

Ladies 1sts vs York – Won 3 - 1

Last Saturday Chester Ladies braved the wind and the rain and a particularly tough York side. A fantastic open goal by Michelle Daltry meant Chester started well but the game was never going to be an easy one to win. A second goal by Laura Millar secured a good lead but it was Chester Goalkeeper Gemma Ible who's amazing saves kept Chester infront. York took every opportunity and had some great attempts but Gemma was there everytime. Shortly before    half time however York popped one in the net. With the wind and umpires against in the second half Chester proceeded to dominate and a third goal from a short corner, again by Michelle Daltry clinched the win. 3-1 to Chester at full time and still the top of the league.

22 November

Ladies 1sts vs Deeside Ramblers 1 – Won 2 - 1

Saturday was the clash of two local sides Chester ladies v Deeside. The local derby proved to be exciting and eventful until the final whistle. In the first 10 minutes Deeside put away a goal after a short corner routine. The game continued from end to end with both teams playing some great hockey and some fantastic saves from the Chester goal keeper Gemma Ible. A short corner routine for Chester allowed Sam Queck to score a fantastic deflection and make the score 1-1 at half time. Competition was fierce but Chester Ladies managed to stay calm and composed and step the game up another level. During the last fifteen minutes Chester were awarded a free hit and an accurate ball into Helen Rolfe resulted in a second goal for chester. At 2-1 Chester kept control of play until the last five minutes in which Deeside were awarded 3 short corners in a row. Fortunately none were converted and Chester Ladies won the game and are still top of the league.

15 November

Ladies 1sts vs Blackburn – Lost 0 - 1

Saturday brought about Chester Ladies first defeat. From the whistle it was obviously going to be a hard, demanding game and blackburn ladies were on a mission to win against the team at the top of the league. Shortly before the end of the first half a penalty stroke was awarded to the Blackburn team who failed to convert it to a goal due to a fantastic save from Gemma Ible. After the first half the score was 0-0 and reflected the game well. 10 minutes into the second half Blackburn made a fast attack and a scuffle in front of the net led to a goal. Determined not to be defeated Chester ladies stepped up a gear and played some great hockey and play stayed in Chesters attacking half for a long period of time - enough to have five short corners in which a goal was scored but disallowed. Blackburn fought back and once in their attacking half were awarded a short corner. They too scored but the goal was disallowed. After 70 minutes of end to end hockey, a yellow card and two green cards the score was 1-0 to Blackburn.

1 November

Ladies 1sts vs – Timperley 1sts – Won 3 - 0

Chester Ladies first team played Timperely first team on Saturday. It was a controlled performance from the whistle with Chester showing their structure and team strengths throughout the first half. The pressure was too much for Timperely who found it hard to get the ball out from their defence. The first goal came from a short corner enabling a deflection from Chester youngster Sam Queck. Shortly after came the second goal again from a short corner routine beautifully positioned by Laura Millar into the back netting from the far post. After half time Chester Ladies were shining as the fitter, more disciplined team and the third goal came from a great individual effort from Sam Queck to make the final score 3-0 to Chester.

19 October

Ladies 1^st vs Nelson – Won 2 - 0

In the first round of the All England Plate Chester was drawn against Nelson. Chester took advantage of the Sunday match to make use of a full squad of players. The first half started slowly, with Chester not quite performing to their usual game plan. In the second half Chester upped the pace and fitness played an important part. Pat Wells converted a penalty stroke early in half, which seemed to turn the match. Chester consolidated the lead and their place in the next round of the Plate with a second goal slotted away by Helen Rolfe.