Hockey: Deeside Ramblers fight back for thrilling draw

Deeside Ramblers 3 Olton & West Warwicks 3

THE Ramblers staged a second- half fightback to secure their first point of the National League season.

Deeside were staring a second straight defeat in the face going into half-time of their home clash with Olton & West Warwicks on Saturday.

But a stirring response after the break was capped when Ibrar Latif equalised three minutes from time.

The hosts took a third-minute lead when Ali Ghazanfar converted a penalty corner.

But helped by yellow cards to Del Smith and Jonny Verity, the Midlands outfit hit back to take a two-goal lead into the interval despite the efforts of goalkeeper Josh Parkinson.

On a number of occasions the junior England international came to the rescue of a defence that was decidedly delicate throughout.

Inspired by their young team-mate, the Ramblers poured forward and reduced the deficit through Verity and then grabbed a share of the spoils when Latif fired in a late penalty corner.

The Ramblers continue their Conference North campaign at Doncaster on Saturday before heading to University of Salford on Sunday for an English Cup first-round tie.

Chester got their North League Division One season off to a losing start on Saturday as they went down 4-1 at Alderley Edge. Pete Evans reduced the deficit for Chester, who host Lytham St Annes this Saturday.

Hardworking Chester 4ths could be pleased with their performance if not the result as they lost their North West League Division Six South opener 7-3 at Bangor City on Saturday.

Mike Mugford finished off a well-worked short corner move to level the contest after the Welsh side opened the scoring. But Chester went into half-time two goals down and, although Mugford went on to compete his hat-trick, they were always playing catch up.

Promoted Chester 5ths started life in Division Seven South with a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Sale 2nds.

Despite controlling the midfield throughout the game – with Andy Ible providing excellent distribution of the ball – Chester could not convert their chances.

New-look Chester 6ths won their first Division 10 South match of the season 1-0 at home to Alderley Edge 5ths.

Peter Cunnington scored the only goal of the game from a well-taken free hit from Jerry Winter.

However the visitors would have returned to East Cheshire with a point had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Paul Williams.