n Wilmslow 1

n Sheffield UB 4

WILMSLOW Hockey Club's men conceded four unanswered goals in the second half.

Neither side asserted their dominance in a cagey opening 25 minutes, as the Bankers tested Wilmslow with some direct running and Wilmslow tried to get their trademark passing game going.

Wilmslow took the lead midway through the first half when Andy Hunt popped up at the back post to deflect a Steve Edmonds snap shot into the net.

Bankers were level shortly after half time as Wilmslow couldn’t clear a short corner and the ball was bundled home.

A sustained period of 15 minutes camped in the Bankers’ half brought no joy.

The hosts were unlucky to concede on the break as the ball was slapped across the D for a man sliding in to tap in.

The men in orange attempted to rebuild but lost focus and discipline.

Three cards left them with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the game and Bankers took advantage.

Wilmslow's women had a close game with Deeside Ramblers, with whom they fought for top honours most of last season.

Deeside were faster on the attack and came out 3-2 victors.

For the oranges, Hannah Coulson was a thorn in the Deeside defence.

From one of her attacks Wilmslow opened the scoring.

A shot from the ever-sharp Lindsay Rachubka was deflected in by Maddy Troup.

It looked as if the oranges would slowly grind down Deeside when Aneka Hall tapped in a second.

Unfortunately Wilmslow had an off day with their movement out of defence and always looked vulnerable to Deeside’s fast breaks.

One has to look back a long way to find when keeper Cat Lang last had to fish the ball out of her goal on three occasions in one match.

A rare but fair defeat against a good side has cost Wilmslow top slot, for now.