HORWICH Hockey Club suffered three defeats at the weekend with the men’s first team on the receiving end of the heaviest when they lost 5-0 at home to table-topping Formby second team.

Andy Barr went close to putting Horwich ahead when he narrowly fired wide from an excellent cross by Tony Sanderson before the visitors began to dominate.

After a number of short corners had been defended by a resilient Horwich defence and excellent goalkeeping from Ryan Goodman, Formby took advantage of a number of lapses of concentration to score four goals before half time.

The home side rallied after the break by dominating possession for long periods before Formby replied with more short corners, one of which led to the final goal.

A 10-man men's second team went down 4-2 at Preston's sixth team.

After going a goal behind, the local lads equalised when a great attack from Adam Anwar led to a short corner which he slipped to Will Aitken to slot in.

A goal either side of half time made it 3-1 to Preston before Aitken scored his second of the game.

Daniyal Khan was outstanding at the back alongside David Lilley, but they could not prevent Preston grabbing a fourth.

Horwich ladies' second team went down 2-0 at home to Bury's third team.

Zoe Dudley had to make a string of excellent saves in front of an impressive defence under relentless pressure by the visitors who made the breakthrough on 21 minutes.

Horwich forwards Lara King and Zara Kour were denied an equaliser by the impressive Bury keeper before the killer goal came after a number of short corners and shots.