Neston Beavers 0 South Cheshire Beavers (?) 2

Following the excellent awards evening (many thanks to Richard and Tony for organising) we entertained possibly the largest Beaver team in the North West. We had lost to South Cheshire 8-0 back in October and it would be a good test of the progress made during the season.
Alex Davies was presented with his "Most Improved Beaver" Award before the game, joining Max Dutton, "Player of the Season", James Fennah "Players Player" and Scott Barry/Ben Crane "Top Scorers" as our award winners.
The game started in spring sunshine and our oversize/age visitors were soon on the attack winning a number of short corners. Just as it looked that the defence of Alex Davies, Peter Harrison, Chris James, Max Dutton and Alex Greenhalf had seen off the onslaught a poorly cleared cross led to a goal. The rest of the half was largely played in the Cheshire half with Sam Dewey, Tom Honeybourne, Syd Roberts and Charlie Palin working well to get the ball into the opposition D. An excellent through ball from Sam found Scott Barry in space but he could not get a shot on target. A few short corners were won but we could not get the ball past their keeper. A rare Cheshire attack led to a lifted free hit into the D that luckily the opposition umpire spotted and a disallowed the goal. Jon Lord again came on and dribbbled past the Cheshire defence winning a number of free hits and shorts.
1-0 down at halftime and all to play for. Neston were soon on the attack with some neat passing leading to Greg Hughes finding space on the left and passing to James Knight who could not beat the keeper. More attacking down both flanks led to a good chance for Ben Crane and another shot against the post. The defence of Charles McCulloch, Greg Chester, James Chester, Charlie Palin and Max Dutton were dealing well with any Cheshire counter attacks. Arthur Bush, Harry Sanguinetti and George Roberts contributed in the second half. As time ran out a Cheshire short corner was deflected home to give the visitors a flattering 2-0 win.
An excellent performance in all areas apart from shooting, after averaging four goals a game over the last month we failed to get good shots on goal when well placed. Everyone commented on the improvement shown since the last game and a win would not have flattered us.
Thankyou to Tony Bush and Tim Brooker for umpiring and the large number of supporters.
Men of the match - the team for a very positive performance!
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to a very enjoyable season, all the parents who helped with the transport, the supporters and lastly the boys and girls who played making it all worthwhile - well done!!! Thankyou for the bottles of wine!

Neston Beavers v South Cheshire Beavers

Our final game of the season will be against South Cheshire, who inflicted our heaviest defeat of the season in October. We will be starting at 1.30 at Calday after the Badgers game, I will be phoning around this evening - Greg Hughes you are definitely playing!!!!
Reminder - prize giving will start at 6.30 at the cricket club on Friday evening.

Preston Beavers 2 Neston Beavers 4

We travelled North to Preston for the return game, the home game having been won by Preston in early January. We arrived just in time and it showed with a sluggish start. Preston were soon on the attack and were soon camped in the Neston half, with Neston defending well but unable to get the ball out. Chris Warbrick made a number of good saves but eventually the pressure told and Preston scored. More attacking by Preston, but the defence of Chris James, Max Dutton, Peter Harrison and Alex Greenhalf managed to keep Preston at bay. After about 20 minutes the Neston midfield started to get the ball with Sam Dewey, Tom Honeybourne, Syd Roberts, Charlie Palin and Frank Stoddard working well. Scott Barry and James Fennah up front being able to spend some time in the oppositions half, both had tackled back and defended with the rest of the team when the pressure was on. It was substitute Jon Lord who seemed to spark the team into action with a good run down the right leading to a free hit and short corner. A smart move at a short led to Sam Dewey equalising. Scott Barry then got past the last man and hit the post about three feet up. The game was level at half time.
By now it was raining quite heavily and Neston started the second half on the attack, some good play on the left by Charlie Palin led to Scott Barry getting in a cross shot that was defelected into the goal by a Preston player (Scott's goal). Frank Stoddard then had a good chance but could not get it past the keeper. Jon Lord ran at the Preston defence whenever he got the chance and a number of short corners were won. Two of these were hit against the post by Sam Dewey! Two further shots hit the post ( were the goals smaller in Preston? - the posts were hit 5 times!) and it seemed that we had missed our chance when a rare Preston attack led to an equaliser. Neston went on the attack and James Fennah put Scott through but the keeper came out and fouled at the top of the D. The subsequent hit was eventually turned into the goal by Scott. With time running out for Preston, Neston scored a fourth on the counter attack, Scott Barry completing his hat trick.
A great victory, showing once again the spirit of the team and the improvement made by everyone. A big thankyou to all the parents (and grandparents) who made the long trip, there were more Neston parents watching in pretty dreadful conditions than the home team. A trip back to the Preston clubhouse warmed everyone up before the trip home.
Man of the match, Jon Lord for many positive runs at the Preston defence and excellent tackling back.
Remember the presentation evening next Friday (23rd) at the club, 6.30 start.
Next weeks game will be at home to South Cheshire at Calday, we may take the opportunity to mix the Beavers and Badgers (both teams are at home) as they had quite an old team (now 6 months older) when we played them last September. I will confirm the arrangements on Friday, but please keep 12.00-3.00 free on Saturday.

Preston Beavers v Neston Beavers

With a number of regulars away with school, the following have confirmed availability for the trip to Preston, meet at 2.00pm at the cricket club.

Chris Warbrick - Goalkeeper
Chris James
Alex Greenhalf
Pete Harrison
Gregg Chester
Charlie Palin
Sam Dewey
Tom Honeybourne
Syd Roberts
Jon Lord
Frank Stoddard
Scott Barry
James Fennah
Max Dutton
Greg Hughes

Remember the awards evening on the 23rd March.

Neston Beavers 4 Winnington Park Beavers 1

Neston produced probably their best team performance of the season in beating Winnington Park. The Neston side included four players making their full 11 a side debuts for the team, Charlie Palin, Charles McCulloch, Frank Stoddard and Jon Lord and all had excellent games. Neston started the game and were soon on the attack forcing a couple of short corners before Ben Crane got the ball past the visitor’s keeper. Winnington then put the Neston goal under some pressure but Charles McCulloch made some brave saves and kept the ball out. Peter Harrison had a steady game at right back and won some important balls. Overall Neston forced much of the play in the first half and some good passing moves involving Frank Stoddard, Greg Hughes and Sam Dewey created chances for Alex Greenhalf and Scott Barry that could not be turned into goals. Syd Roberts worked well on the right getting in some good crosses. Changes were made at half time with Jon Lord making his debut and making an immediate impact taking the ball past a number of Winnington players. Ben Crane added two more goals, the third coming from a powerful run by Sam Dewey from the right. The defence of Max Dutton, Chris James, James Chester and Charlie Palin kept the Winnington attackers in control. Scott Barry added a fourth before a good short corner move allowed Winnington to get a goal past Alex Davies in goal. The final score of 4-1 reflected an excellent team performance against a useful opposition.
With such a strong team performance the player of the match is shared by all who took part, an excellent game!
Thanks to all the parents who provided support.
Our next fixture is away against Preston, the game is due to start at 3.30, so we will meet at 2.00 at Neston Cricket Club, I will be in touch on Wednesday.
Remember the presentation evening on 23rd March, 6.30 at the club. Awards to include, Most Improved Player, Beaver of the Year, Top Scorer and the Constable Cup. Please make every effort to attend.

Change of venue and start time

It would appear that Winnington Park cannot make a 12.00 start at Neston so the game is likely to be switched to Calday with a 15.00 start, when I get confirmation I will ring round, possibly on Friday,
Thanks
Peter

Neston Beavers v Winnington Park Beavers

We are at home to Winnington Park on Saturday, game to be played at Neston Rec, meet 11.45 for a 12.00 start. With the end of season nearing we are trying to give a game to some of the boys who have been coming to training and will form part of the team next season.

Alex Davies - to confirm
Scott Barry
Sam Dewey
Syd Roberts
Ben Crane
Max Dutton
Greg Hughes
Chris James - to confirm
Alex Greenhalf
Charlie Palin
James Chester
Greg Chester
Charles McCulloch
John Lord
Frank Stoddard - to confirm
Richard Capes - to confirm

Alderley Edge Beavers 4 Neston Beavers 4

After a lunch time spent watching the football, we made the journey to Wilmslow to play Alderley Edge, a return of the fixture we lost 3-2 in the Autumn. Neston got off to a good start and were soon on the attack, Scott Barry finding some space in the D shooting wide. More pressure on the Alderley goal eventually got a break through. Sam Dewey found Scott in the D and his cross shot was turned into the goal by Ben Crane at the far post. A second soon followed when Ben again was on hand to get the ball into the goal from a right wing cross. Some poor marking allowed Alderley to score just before half time. The Neston defence of Max Dutton, James Chester, Chris James and Pete Harrison came under a lot of pressure at the start of the second half and were unable to prevent Alderley twice getting the ball past Alex Davies in goal. Now down 3-2 Neston got on the attack mainly down the right where Sam Dewey was busy. Another free hit from Sam found Gregg Chester free at the top of the D, his first time pass into the D found Ben Crane unmarked and he scored, making it a hat trick. Neston attacked again and a poorly cleared cross found Gregg Chester unmarked to beat the Alderley keeper to put Neston in the lead again. Alderley then looked for the equaliser and a strong run down the right led to an equaliser. Alex Greenhalf, Tom Honeybourne and Harry Sanguinetti all had good games in midfield. Bost sides had short corners in the final few minutes but neither could score and a final score of 4-4 was probably a fair result.
Men of the match Ben Crane for his first hat trick and Gregg Chester for an excellent game in midfield and defence, scoring his first goal.
Thankyou to all the parents who helped with transport, especially those following me and sitting in the jam on the M56 for nearly one hour!
After three weeks travelling the North West of England we return home next week for a game against Winnington Park, start 12.00 at Calday, I will be in touch.