THE women’s second team at Winnington Park Hockey Club secured what could be a crucial win in their fight to avoid relegation on Saturday.

Lily Knight’s superb strike in the first half proved enough to earn a 1-0 victory at Warrington, with Isla Godling earning the player of the match award backed up by good displays from Eileen Miller and Jane Turley.

Meanwhile, the men’s firsts triumphed in an end-to-end encounter with Welsh club Eirias thanks to a second-half winner from player of the match Ollie Wilkes.

Wilkes’ goal from a penalty corner – his second such strike of the match – earned Park a 3-2 win after the sides shared four goals before the break.

His first goal had ensured the sides went in level at the break after Eirias had scored twice in quick succession to cancel out Park’s opening goal, scored from open play by Chris Moss.

The men’s thirds kept up the pressure on neighbours and league leaders Alderley Edge with a 4-0 victory at Lymm, with all four of their goals coming in a superb first half.

Liam Mckee scored an early double to settle nerves, with James Dixon and Jono Fowler adding strikes before young keeper Jamie Bell helped keep the hosts off the scoresheet after the break.

Unfortunately, the women’s firsts were beaten 3-2 at home by Northop Hall as they tried unsuccessfully to recover an early two-goal deficit.

Shandy Moloney-Pugh pulled a goal back before half time and did so again after Northop made it 3-1 shortly after the break, but the hosts had what would have been an equaliser disallowed and the visitors held on.