Edged and Out

Sometimes things just don't go your way. When you do almost everything right, just to see it all go wrong. For the second week in a row, this was one of those times.

Sale travelled to Alderley Edge to play a side who'd given them the run-around last season. Perhaps remembering this, the home team started confidently, but couldn't find a way through Sale's defence, who were keeping their shape well behind Matt Wood. Slowly, Sale built from the back, eased themselves into into the game and then, with Alderley's forwards increasingly isolated, started to dominate possession.

For all their good play, however, and Lionel Robinson's many forays to the touchline, Sale just couldn't find the back of the net. A well-worked short corner was the closest they came, the ball whistling past the far post.

Indeed, Alderley Edge managed to make a few chances of their own, but the danger was snaffled out by Paul Rosenbloom, who had the Alderley centre forward nestling in his pocket for just about the entire game.

0-0 at half time is a rarity in hockey, and certainly didn't reflect the attacking nature of the game.

The second half was more of the same, with Sale's attacks prompted by some visionary passing from Charlie Jackson. Unfortunately, his through-balls were often just too good for his new team-mates. This will change given time (and training).

Then, disaster struck. Mahinda Kularatne misjudged how much time he had to play a pass, and lost possession. The Alderley Edge forwards played it between themselves and somehow managed to get it past Anthony McGreal and into the Sale goal. 1-0.

The goal was very much against the run of play, and it didn't take long before Scotty Raftery equalised. Sale were in the ascendant again, with Lionel Robinson giving his opposite number a torrid time. Sale thought they'd taken the lead, only for the goal to be (incorrectly) ruled out for an Ian Ellis foot. The defender whose foot it actually was owned up at the end of the match -- these things happen, especially when you're having a bad run.

Sale finally started to tire, with passes going astray and decisions being made badly. Alderley Edge started pushing forward again, feeding off Sale's midfield profligacy. With the clock running down, there was time for one last moment of misfortune. An Alderley forward took a harmless pot-shot from outside the Sale D...which Anthony McGreal let past him into the goal...or so he thought. The ball clipped his pads on its way past and, according to Snicko (and the umpire), it was given as a goal. Ant was gutted -- it was the only thing he'd done wrong all game.

A consecutive 2-1 defeat (well, it's better than 9-2) leaves Sale looking distinctly mid-table. Still plenty of time to come back, and Sale know that they've got the beating of all the teams they've played. Yes, even Timperley.

Charlie Jackson won the MotM award for his classy play and smooth distribution, narrowly edging out three other candidates.

Special mention must also go to Jon O'Hora who, pressed into action as a makeshift attacker, ended up playing just about every position but his favoured half-back slot. It's muchly appreciated.