Timperley Upset Defending Champions Wilmslow

By Neil Goulding 

TIMPERLEY, who suffered heartache last season when they missed out on the Men's North of England League Premier Division title after a disappointing end to the season, gave themselves plenty to smile about at the weekend with a confidence-boosting 15-10 victory over Wilmslow, the defending champions.

The Stockport Road side slipped to a 10-8 opening weekend defeat to Heaton Mersey, but following that early setback have won their last two games to get their title-challenge back on track.

Neil Ascot, the unheralded goalkeeper, played a starring role for the visitors against Wilmslow, while Andy Brickell and Rick Cain both scored four goals each as Timperley sit pretty in third place in the table.

Down 4-2 after the opening quarter, Timperley sprung into life in the second, scoring seven goals for a commanding 9-5 half-time lead.

The third quarter was shared 3-3, but Timperley edged the last quarter 3-2 to win by five goals and secure their second set of maximum points.

Will Sandy scored twice, while Ollie White, Steve Parkinson, Tim Holdsworth, Lee Warburton and David Gill scored the rest of Timperley's goals.

Ascot starred with 27 saves from 37 shots, although Wilmslow dominated possession with Mike Jordan winning 20 of the 25 face-offs he contested.

Chris Mountney top-scored for Wilmslow with five goals, but the new European Lacrosse Federation Champions Cup winners never recovered from losing the second quarter 7-1.

Mark Reynolds, the England international, scored a hat-trick, with John Mountney and James Perrin also on target for the hosts.

But as Wilmslow spokesman Clive Perrin admitted: 'We imploded in the second quarter. Every time they (Timperley) shot at goal they scored.

'We had a lot of possession, but we gave away the ball too much.'

Stockport, last season's Premier Division bridesmaids, stay two points clear at the summit following a 13-6 victory over Heaton Mersey, their local rivals.

It was the Beech Road club's third successive victory following Simon Rowlinson, their joint head coach's bold claim last week that his side are trying to win 'everything' this season.

Manchester Waconians are second after an 18-5 win over basement side Poynton, a match the home side were cruising 8-1 at half-time.

Steve Shanahan, Sam Angelotta, Eddie Owen and Chris Stott all score hat-tricks, while Dominic Fitzgerald bagged a brace. Shanahan had four assists and Angelotta three.

Charlie Stewart, Iain Cain, David Seviratne and Anthony Boyle were also on target as Stockport won the quarters 3-1, 8-1, 4-2 and 3-1.

Poynton, promoted from Division 2 in the 06-07 season, have now lost all three of their Premier Division fixtures this season.

Glynn Warrington and Jamie Butler scored twice each for the visitors, while Peter Mustlet also found the back of the net.

Wacs' keeper Jimmy Hill impressed for Wacs with 10 saves from 15 shots.

Sheffield Steelers, this season's other promoted club, registered their first win of the season after two successive defeats.

The South Yorkshire outfit beat Mellor, former league and Senior Flags winners, 9-6 away at Longhurst Lane

Dave Alcock and Ben Lyon scored hat-tricks, Sam Glover a double and goalkeeper Simon Jones, who had an excellent game between the posts, also managed to get on the scoresheet.

Jones made 22 saves from 28 shots, but still found time to run the entire length of the field and beat Ben McAllister, the England goalkeeper, with a clinical shot.

Ollie Hall scored twice for Mellor, with goals from Freddie Evans, Adam Hall, Chris Kearney and Danny Hodgson completed the scoring for Mellor.

RESULTS, Saturday 11th October

MEN's North of England League - Premier Division: Wilmslow 10 Timperley 15, Stockport 13 Heaton Mersey 6, Manchester Waconians 18 Poynton 5, Boardman and Eccles 6 Cheadle 14,

Mellor 6 Sheffield Steelers 9.

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