The U16A Girls are back with a bang!
On Friday the U16A team made their eagerly awaited return to 11 a-side hockey! Nearly six months since their last match; this was prime Friday night viewing as they faced the U14/16B team with a certain guest player that they all wanted to beat! The match started at a frenetic pace and rarely slowed throughout as shown by some excellent GPS scores at the end. Lottie opened the scoring for the U16A with a backhand strike after only a few minutes. The other members of the midfield dynamic trio, Anna and Josefina, scored two goals each to make the score 5-0 at half time.
In the second half, U16A’s composed defensive unit, as well as the skilful link up of the midfield and the relentless pressing of the forwards was a joy to watch and there were some excellent team goals. Amelie scored a backhand early in the second half and then Josefina got her hat trick before Phoebe scored a fantastic first time volley from the top of the D. Anna then got her hat trick before too long, which was closely followed by Phoebe claiming her second after a great run from defence by Jess.
Meanwhile the tireless running of Grace in midfield for the B team helped to break down the relentless pressure of the A team and Katie stepped in to make some important tackles in defence. Elsa and Niamh also looked lively in attack. But it was guest player DP who deservedly scored the B team’s only goal after another fine individual run carved open the A team defence.
Not to be out done by their coach, the A team rallied and two more goals from Anna and then three more from Lottie followed in quick succession before Amelie got her second goal to complete the match and make it a 16-1 victory to the under 16 A team!
Congratulations to everybody who played in a high quality, fast paced and end to end game.
The U16 Girls make it two from two!
The U16A Girls won 20-1 on Sunday as they took on the U14/U16 Boys. In a good performance the girls showed their class and quality throughout.
Lottie once again opened the scoring with a trademark backhand strike. Amelie then scored a forehand volley and a backhand strike. Annabel scored a first half hat-trick of goals - a PCA strike, a self-created goal from her pressing, before finishing off an outstanding team move with a simple roll in. Anna, Olivia and Phoebe also scored in the first half: Anna benefitted from an outletting error, and Olivia and Phoebe were both the recipients of a passing masterclass from the class of centre back Betrys. The half finished with a Lottie drag flick from a PCA. 10-0.
Somewhat shell shocked the boys had a very good discussion at half-time and came out with renewed vigour, focus and determination in the second half. Despite a similar score line in the second half the boys made the most of opportunity to play against such high quality opposition. Learning a lot about 11 a-side, which for some was their first season of this format. This could arguably be one of their greatest lessons.
To the girls and their continued drive and motivation for brilliance, goals and playing the beautiful game as a team. It was Amelie who open the scoring after a slick pass from Anna. Amelie then scored again after some volley tennis with brave Will on the goal line! Annabel scored her fourth of the game after some exquisite hands from Lottie unlocked the boys defence, before some lovely passing allowed Annabel to tap-in for her fourth. The fourteenth goal was another wonderful team goal involving a number of the attacking unit which allowed Lottie to roll the ball into an empty net. Olivia scored a quick fire brace for her hat-trick after some great skills from Anna. Annabel scored twice more to complete her double hat-trick!
Then the boys moment came! Another positive attack through Isaac in midfield was then converted by Mack after a good ball into the D from Louis! 18-1.
The final couple of goals came from the midfield dynamic duo of Anna and Lottie. One a set play from a Den Bosch style long corner, before Anna completed the scoring with her second of the match!
So 20-1 it finished - the girls are absolutely flying - the boys were much improved throughout the game.
Onto the final couple of matches for the KP Summer League next weekend. The Girls face the U18 Girls/Adults on Sunday, and the Boys face the U14A Girls! Both promise to be exciting matches!
U18 Girls & Adults remain unbeaten with victory against the U14B & U16B Girls
The U14/U16B Girls played their final match of the KP Summer League on Sunday, and sadly their quest for their first points of the summer eluded them. Despite their performance of the summer so far, it wasn’t to be as a strong U18 Girls & Adults team made it two wins from two. The win sets them up for a almighty double header this weekend, as they take on the other two form sides in the U14A Girls & U16A Girls.
The match started at a great speed as the U18s/Adults looked to score early. Indeed it was inform attacker, Sarah Eversfield, that was first on the score sheet as she expertly netted from close range. Next Grace R made the most of some confusion in the backline as she round the goalkeeper to slot home on her backhand. It was a great start for the U18s/Adults as Sasha Kelbrick scored the first of her hat-trick in the first 10 minutes too. 3-0. An excellent shave tackle in midfield gave her the ball and her magical skills did the rest from there!
This goal seemed to be just the motivation the U14/U16B Girls needed and a great run from the centre was finished with an amazing flick from almost no angle high into the net! The middle ten minutes of the half was more even as both sides looked to play the creative attacking hockey Knole Park is known for and both goalkeepers played well. However there was a flurry of goals just before half time: another great shave tackle in the midfield saw the U18s capitalise and Sasha scored her second of the match. Once again this prompted an immediate response from the U14/U16Bs and they scored again direct from the centre! This time a well taken backhand strike. There was just enough time for Sarah to show the form she’s in as she rounded the on rushing Tabitha to slam home a thunderbolt forehand. Half time 5-2 to the U18s/Adults.
The second half was a similar match. Attack followed by attack, flowing passing hockey, great link ups, and naturally more goals were to follow. Sasha was the most alert coming out of the break and she was set-up by the evergreen running and quality of Ruth down the right hand side. Claiming three assists in almost as many minutes, Ruth put in Sasha for two goals and Martha for a wonderful backhand strike! This was the first of a second half hat-trick for Martha as the U14/U16Bs defence was pulled apart and she was able to finish was great quality and precision. It was great to see the U18s and Adults combining so effectively to produce such great hockey!
The final 10 minutes did belong to the U14/U16Bs however. Their attitude to working hard, playing quickly and trying their best could not be faulted in any match, but this 10 minutes was different. There was link-up, positive running, effective skills and best of all more goals! Ella Walker slammed in two penalty corner strikes. Sadly, but correctly, one was disallowed by umpiring team Lottie & Anna. Ella's other goal was a tap-in after a lovely sweeping move from defence to attack. The final U14/U16B goal was 'the goal of the match' – first Talya receive the ball from defence, before rolling it to Niamh, who put in Elsa, who beat David in goal to score! Wow! Now that’s what I call progression!
With the score at 10-5 and only moments left to play there was just enough time for Sarah to jump onto the hockey showboat. Inspired from a cross between Instagram’s best hockey videos and the football “Panenka” penalty*, Sarah coolly chipped her penalty stroke down the middle of the goal past the unfortunately diving goalkeeper! 11-5 it finished! 16 goals, loads of progress and some seriously quality hockey! Well done to everyone that played!
The U14/U16B Girls can be very proud of their KP Summer League campaign. Masses learnt, 100s of KMs run and lots of goals! We will get some friendlies in June to try out these new skills & tactics!
The U18s/Adults – roll on this weekend and what could be a historic weekend for the team!
* In association football, the Panenka is a technique used while taking a penalty kick in which the taker, instead of kicking the ball to the left or right of the goalkeeper, gives a light touch underneath the ball, causing it to rise and fall within the centre of the goal, deceiving the goalkeeper. (Wikipedia)
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