Under 15 girls in action!
It was great to have all the Under 15 Girls back out playing matches again. On Sunday was their first competitive games of the season.
Albeit the rain tried to play havoc with the day, but the girls showed great heart and didn’t let it dampened their spirits. Both matches were played at Regent. Huge thanks to Deborah, the caretaker, as she looks after us so well every week.
THE INTERMEDIATE TEAM PLAYED THEIR FIRST MATCH V NEIGHBOURS, BANGOR
Even though this was the girls first run out together, they were quick to settle and linked up very well. Freya kept a cool head as sweeper and made some excellent clearances. The defence of Rebecca, Izzy, Jessie & Emily worked well together. Cutting out attacking play, clearing the ball wide and working back tirelessly. As the game progressed North Down produced many attacks. The midfield tri of Flo, Lottie & Isobel pushed forward, supporting the forward line of Hollie, Laura, Gracie & Karis. North Downs hard work and determination paid off as they won quite a few penalty corners. Even though their corner routine was very good, the Bangor goalie managed to deny our girls a chance of scoring as she pulled off some great saves, in particular a rocketing strike from Hollie. Goal mouth scuffles from Lottie and Laura saw them also denied. When Bangor went on the counter attack and broke into the circle, Alexia in goals was called into action as she pulled off some lovely saves.
The rain got heavier in the third / fourth quarters but our girls were not deterred and kept their focus as they pushed for a winning goal which they deserved from the amount of pressure they had put on the visitors. Unfortunately this was not to be. The final whistle blew with the result of a scoreless draw.
Well played to all the girls, player of the match was difficult to chose when the amount of effort all girls showed on the pitch but after much deliberation, it has been awarded jointly to Rebecca & Jessie for their excellent work in defence.
THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM PLAYED THEIR FIRST MATCH V ELKS
The Elks were a strong side and began putting pressure on our girls from the starting whistle with Grace, Rachel and Natalie in defence called into action to keep the visitors out of the circle by pulling off some well timed tackles. The midfield of Erin, Lucy, Libby and Karis worked hard to support the defence and soon play settled and the home side started to create chances up front with the two Emily’s, Ruby and Gracie making attacking runs but unfortunately their efforts were thwarted by the visitors defence.
As the first half progressed Elks got their break through and broke into the circle. Gianna had made a great first save but Elks pounced on the rebound and scored.
Not to be deterred the home side pushed forward from the re-start looking for an equaliser. Amy found some lovely passes out from the back and our girls in midfield showed great energy as they worked up and down the pitch but a counter attack from the visitors resulted in a goal-mouth scuffle and their second goal and shortly afterwards a third followed.
Even though the final score was 3-0, this did not reflect the overall play. Our girls all fought hard on the pitch, played some lovely hockey together, right from Gianna in goals, to the defence, through midfield to the forward line and put periods of pressure on the visitors.
This week’s well deserved Player of the match goes to Lucy Hunniford
Chris also awarded prizes today to the attacker with the most circle entries and they were won in the first game by Hollie and in the second by Lucy. Next week it will be the turn of the defence!
So proud of each and every girl who played for both teams today. Their work rate and effort on the pitch, their positive encouraging attitudes with each other, showing a willingness to play in any position when asked was absolutely fantastic, we as coaches simply couldn’t have asked anymore of them.
Thanks to Chris & Cait who were on whistle duty today and to all parents for their support.
