Alderley Edge Hockey Club Ladies’ first team beat Sale Ladies HC 2-1 last Saturday in an exciting play off match to secure a place in the restructured North Hockey League next season.

They dominated the early play with their forwards outrunning the slow Sale defence.

Alderley scored after just five minutes  when an attack down the right resulted in Gemma Garton breaking the deadlock from close range.

For 20 minutes Alderley kept up the pressure in the sweltering heat but they could just not add to the score.

Chances to put the match beyond doubt were missed, allowing Sale to grow in confidence.

They enjoyed a period of pressure and earned a couple of penalty corners just before half-time.

However, Sally Gale, Katie Marriot and Edge captain Lyndsay Lomaxkept Sale out, dealing  calmly with some close-range shots.

The second half was more even with both teams creating chances before Sale equalised after some slack marking.

Things were not looking good for Alderley when  Judith Offer had to leave the pitch with a suspected broken collar bone.

The setback seemed to galvanise them though.

Keeping the ball wide on the flanks and getting players high up the pitch, they unlocked the Sale defence and Sioned Davies was on hand to score the winning goal just two minutes from time.