Hockey: Deeside Ramblers rise like Lazarus to stay top of League Conference North

Oct 1 2009 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

Belper 2 Deeside Ramblers 3

TABLE-TOPPING National League newcomers Deeside Ramblers experienced their toughest match to date at Belper.

But they still emerged with maximum points to maintain their 100% record in the England Hockey League Conference North.

Astonishingly they have double the goal difference of their nearest rivals, Leek and Doncaster.

Craig Keegan scored for Belper just before half time to give them the lead at the perfect time.

Then as the second half got under way the Ramblers found themselves two down after the ghost-like Joe Sharp stole in to score another for Belper.

Ramblers are capable of digging deep, however, and Ibrar Latif’s goal lifted them to inspire a comeback.

Ali Ghazanfar established parity with a signature penalty corner before sealing the game for Deeside with a second as it finished 3-2.

Deeside Ramblers 7ths annihilated Llandudno 8-1 at home in their curtain-raiser.

Relegated last season, the Ramblers made an excellent start to their bid to bounce back.

The result suggests a one-sided encounter but Llandudno probably had as many shots on goal as the Ramblers. The difference was the Tarporley side made theirs count.

Several shots fizzed just wide but many found the net thanks to some impressive finishing.

Jack Saunders scored twice and John Porter celebrated a hat trick.

Miles Lewis and Richard Jones got a goal apiece but it was the final strike which proved the major talking point.

Ian Turley is not known for his goal-scoring, so there was some surprise when he whacked one home to underline what a good display this was by the Ramblers.

Chester defeated Manchester 5-1 in North League Division One.

Phil Roper opened his season with a hat-trick and a man-of-the-match award in a dominant display from Chester.

Stuart Field and Tom Warburton added their names to the scoresheet as Chester brushed aside the opposition.

On Saturday they go to Leeds University.

Chester 2nds lost 3-2 to Didsbury 2nds, Richard Selley with both goals under new skipper Rob O’Gorman.

The thirds won 3-2 at Crewe Vagrants.

Crewe scored against the run of play, spurring Chester on to race into the lead.

Chester Ladies drew 0-0 in their derby against Deeside Ramblers in the North Women’s League Premier Division.

The ladies 4ths beat Lymm 3rds 9-0 thanks to four goals from Georgia Baird, a brace from Ellie Jones including a very impressive penalty flick and a hat-trick for player- of-the-match Sarah Blackman

Chester Hockey Club is holding a fundraising day on Sunday.

There will be mini hockey games, tricks, a barbecue, car wash and much more. For details, contact Roz Lewis on 07891693152 or Mel Coulson on 07899872525.