MATT Downes’ last-gasp winner stretched Urmston Hockey Club men’s seconds' unbeaten Division Five North/South run to five games as they won 1-0 against Fylde men’s seconds.
Downes’ goal was the difference against resolute opposition in a weekend that saw the club win all games, score 16 and keep clean sheets throughout.
Luke Durkan’s stellar play earned him the man-of-the-match award despite significant competition from Dan Downes.
The Greens now sit in third place having dropped only two points in the last five matches without a loss.
It was a resounding return to winning ways for the ladies’ seconds as they triumphed 7-0 against University of Manchester ladies’ fourths.
Amy Stanley opened the scoring before Isobel Seed scored the first of her brace to lead 2-0 at half time.
After the break, Moe Rothwell’s penalty stroke, Seed’s second and goals from Charlotte O’Toole and Faye Wilson kept the Greens second on goal difference.
Stacey Bell’s brace – opened with another wonder-goal – helped the ladies’ firsts to a first win of the season with an emphatic 4-0 triumph against Bowdon ladies’ thirds.
She was joined on the scoresheet by Isobel Povah’s first goal for the team and another for Danielle Harvey after impressive build-up from Isobel Seed.
Rounding off the whitewash weekend, the men’s firsts bounced back to beat Wigan men’s firsts 4-0 with Richard Wood opening the scoring with a sublime reverse-stick strike.
Stefan Wasilewski doubled the lead with a similarly impressive goal before Mike Tonge netted from a penalty corner.
A moment of madness from the otherwise spectacular opposing goalkeeper allowed Jonathon Downes to tee up Wasilewski for his second and Urmston’s fourth.
At the other end, it was a clean sheet, largely thanks to the defensive heroics of joint leading goalscorer Brad Bates who won the man-of-the-match award.
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