Sefton came out victorious in a closely contested encounter against Neston at Liverpool College, securing a 2-1 win in the Women’s Northwest Premier Division.
The match was a clear example of great tactical hockey with two standout individual performances from Sefton’s Number 10 Orla Nellingan-Cronin and goalkeeper Jennifer Ratcliffe.
This result takes Sefton up to fourth in the table as Neston drop down to fifth as the gap between them widens to three points.
Sefton wasted no time establishing control, and in the seventh minute, Grace Airey squared the ball to Nellingan-Cronin. The striker made no mistake, hammering a first-time low slap into the bottom left corner past Morell for the opening goal.
The Sefton goalkeeper was pivotal, making critical saves throughout the match. A standout moment came in the 40th minute, with a stunning one-on-one foot save to deny Neston an equaliser.
Despite being pinned in their half for much of the first period, Neston grew into the game. Their number 9 levelled the score in the 44th minute with a dazzling solo run, sliding the ball into the bottom corner past Ratcliffe making it 1-1.
The home side regained the lead in the 48th minute when a driving run and cross deflected off a Neston defender and into the net, making it 2-1 to the Blues.
Sefton gradually turned up the heat, dominating possession in Neston’s third. Their reward came early with persistent shooting from Nellingan-Cronin as Sefton maintained relentless pressure, earning several short corners. However, a combination of near misses and solid Neston defending kept the scoreline unchanged.
As halftime approached, the away side began to find their rhythm, with Neston’s No. 69, Sedgewick coming close and a short corner saved brilliantly by Ratcliffe. However, Sefton held firm to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second half saw both teams raising the intensity. Nelligan-Cronin and Grace Airey continued to drive the attack, while Ratcliffe’s acrobatics in goal preserved the lead. Neston struck back with a moment of magic from their striker Alford-Swift , equalising in the 44th minute and shifting the game’s momentum.
Sefton responded almost immediately, regaining the lead through a scrappy yet effective effort from Katelyn Aitchison, whose cross deflected into the net. From then on, Sefton dominated, nearly adding to their tally as Grace Airey continued adding to her great performance.
As the clock wound down, Neston pushed for an equaliser. The game’s tension peaked in the 70th minute with a last-gasp short corner for Neston as the umpire had already blown the whistle, meaning it was the final shot for Neston no matter what. With all players pushed forward, Hennel-Nealey sent the ball in but Neston messed up their routine, and Sefton cleared to secure the win.
Sefton’s determination and moments of individual brilliance proved decisive in a hard-fought 2-1 victory. While Neston showed flashes of their potential, it was Sefton’s ability to capitalise on key moments that earned them three points at home.
