Hockey: Deeside Ramblers hammer students in English Cup

Oct 6 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

DEESIDE Ramblers bounced back from a disappointing league defeat to book their place in the second round of the English Cup in emphatic fashion.

Stung by a needless 4-2 Conference North reverse at Doncaster on Saturday, the Ramblers took their frustration out on University of Salford 24 hours later with a thumping 26-0 win.

Ibrar Latif (8), Ed Peel (7), Jonny Verity (3) and Russ Hornby (3) got the lion’s share of the goals for the visitors, whose National League pedigree shone through against student opponents who play well down the English hockey ladder.

The Ramblers had led through an Ali Ghazanfar brace against Doncaster, but naive defensive errors allowed the home side to run out comfortable winners.

The Tarporley club’s result of the weekend came courtesy of their under 16s girls side, who produced an outstanding performance to win 2-0 at Bowdon U16s girls with goals from Lucy Amitage and Harriet Walker.

Chester picked up their first win of the North League Division One season by beating Lytham St Annes 7-2 on Saturday.

Dave Hughes (2), Richard Bond, Simon Jones, Matt Oakley, John Roper and Bart Ryan Beswick netted for the impressive hosts.

Chester 5ths staged a storming second-half comeback to win their North West League Division Seven South derby at Crewe Vagrants 3rds 3-2.

Andy Ible halved Crewe’s lead with a cleanly struck penalty corner attempt before he scored a stunning reverse stick winner after setting up Geoff Hall’s equaliser.

Chester 7ths broke their Division 10 South duck with a 3-1 victory at home to Didsbury Northern 7ths given to them by excellent goals from Ryan Thomas, Dean Chan and Matthew Roberts.

Chester Ladies lost their North Women’s League Premier Division clash at Durham Ladies 8-3 in spite of strikes from captain Donna Richards and the in-form Nia Hughes (2).

Defenders Rachel Wright and Rebecca Neary and goalkeeper Bethan Williams impressed as Chester Ladies 4ths went down 3-0 at home to Oxton Ladies 3rds in Cheshire Women’s League Division Five.