U14 Boys and Girls continue winning silverware...
Guildford were invited to play at the summer West Herts U14 7 a side hockey tournament during July with an unusual catch, it was a mixed team format. A team of Alice, Olivia, Lucie, Freddy, Oliver, Max and Alex (gk) represented Guildford in what must have been our first mixed U14 team, ever !
The format was 2 pools with a semi final and then final with tough opposition from the London area
Pool Matches
The pool matches enabled the Guildford team to get into the flow of the tournament, the boys and girls started to get used to each others positional play with some clear directions from Gary. Guildford ended the pool stages topping their group with no goals conceded.
Semi-Final
Onto the semi final against a very good Amersham & Chalfont B team. The weather was glorious, but by early afternoon the temperature was 27degrees. With no substitutions for Guildford the heat was draining on the players energy, they were really tested as the opposition rolled substitutions on and off the pitch. Guildford dug deep to take a semi-final win and book a place in the final.
Final
The final was against Amersham & Chalfont A, and incredibly skilful team with pace, power and some excellent ball skills. The opening phase of the game saw Guildford pressed back into our own half, Oliver and Freddie were tested on numerous occasions but their team work and defensive shield kept the Amersham team at bay. On one occasion that Amersham managed to break through Alex in Goal made an excellent save to repel the attack and keep Guildford in the game. Guildford slowly started to get into the game, Max, Lucie and Alice in midfield started to see the ball more frequently and Olivia as our lone striker worked tirelessly to press the Amersham defence down. As the game progressed Guildford started to get a foothold, Max burst through from midfield and put Guildford ahead with a well taken goal. A second soon followed with Olivia converting a fine cross from Alice. Freddie finished the Guildford goals with a fine strike, closing out the final with a 3-0 victory. The scoreline did not reflect the game play, Amersham were an excellent side with a couple of outstanding players, Guildford on the day managed to convert their chances and defended with gusto..
The Guildford team was hot and exhausted, be very pleased to win another trophy. To cap the day Freddy was nominated as the boy player of tournament for his outstanding play and Lucie was runner up for the girls nomination. Well done Freddy and Lucie.
Anthony Greehalgh
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