ALDERLEY Edge Hockey Club went down 2-1 to Lichfield HC a tense National Hockey League Conference North struggle on Saturday.

Edge took the lead after a well worked first-time pass down the sideline from captain Chris Cook found its way to Jack Smith who took it in to the D spun round the last defender and forced a save from the keeper who could only parry the ball to the on-rushing Ben Gregory who calmly guided it into the goal.

The lead was short lived as Lichfield struck back, winning a penalty corner on 17 minutes. Rob Gray scored a superb drag flick low and fast in to the corner of the net. .

The visitors went ahead on 29 minutes with another powerful Rob Gray drag flick conversion just beating Edge keeper Sean Hadfield.

Edge continued to press for the equaliser in the second half but were let down by wayward passing and poor first touches.

The game did eventually come down to a short corner to Edge at the end of time.

Angus McCormick’s drag flick forced a hand save from the keeper, but the rebound was not put away and Edge suffered yet another costly defeat that leaves them a lot of work to do to avoid relegation.

There are now some big games to come with points at a premium.

This weekend sees Edge travel to Barford Tigers, a tough encounter where the lads will need to raise their game to match the opposition with their two star Argentinian attackers.