IN NORTH Hockey League One, Alderley Edge Men’s first team went into second place with two fine victories over the weekend.

Saturday saw Edge make the short journey to Belle Vue, to take on Manchester. They put in a thoroughly professional performance to come away with a comfortable 4-1 win.

Starting brightly Edge made the running, passing the ball tidily on the quick surface, and when James McPherson’s penalty corner strike was saved, Sam Gregory pounced to put in the rebound.

Manchester, with several very skilful players, tried repeatedly to run with the ball, but the Edge defensive unit stuck to their task well and didn’t give up cheap possession.

Then Edge scored a fine second goal, patiently moving the ball around the back until a gap appeared. A quick break gave Gregory the chance to grab his second.

Half-time meant a respite for Manchester, and Alderley Edge knew the next goal was crucial. It came quickly and was the goal of the game, a fantastic series of passes gave Ben Gregory the chance to shoot from the top of the D and he superbly found the bottom corner.

The hosts pulled a goal back from a dubious penalty corner strike but the result was never in doubt once Gregory completed his hat-trick.

On Sunday, Rotherham were the visitors, and they defended stoutly. Edge took only a single goal lead into the break, but the second came quickly after the restart and then goals were scored on a regular basis.

At 5-0, Rotherham scored a consolation, when the impressive debutant Ben Kelly was finally beaten, Edge made it 6-1, before Rotherham grabbed another to make the final score 6-2.

Edge’s goals came from Miles McGoun (2) and Laurence Barnes from open play, a penalty stroke and penalty corner from Ben Badger and a James McPherson penalty corner strike.