The Girls Under 12s invited Sevenoaks for a big tournament on Sunday. Some great hockey played by all. See how the Gazelles, Fire, Tornado and Shadows aka "Macaroons" enjoyed the day...

Gazelles

Another good Sunday for Gazelles. We hosted Sevenoaks HC in a competitive friendly who gave the girls a valuable test. Both sides were strong and the matches became better as the morning went. 

Our first match was against a well organised Sevenoaks team who kept on threatening us. The girls did very well with an early goal from the left from Emilia and a lovely shot from Niamh on the second half of the match helping us secure a 2-0 victory. 

Our third match was against our own Fire Guildford. A very competitive match which clearly could have gone either way. A lot of missed shots for both sides resulted in a 0-0 draw.

Our last game was against a tougher Sevenoaks. This time Gazelles showed a great structure and independent team work which resulted in two fantastic goals from our mid centre Martha securing a 2-1 win.

The girls did really well. Sophie and Emilia working hard linking well on the left, while Izzy T and Izzy K both defending and playing wide from the back. Bibi, Scarlett  and Niamh worked all well upfront creating chances and attacking constantly, with Martha reading the game, anticipating the opposition movements and distributing the ball incredibly well! In goal we had Amelia and Emily T who both did amazing with some great saves. Well done girls. It was so good to see you all working as a team, talking to each other and making your own decisions! Thank you to Sevenoaks for coming this way.

Team: Martha, IzzyT, Sophie, Emilia, Scarlett, Bibi, Amelia/Emily T(GKs), Niamh and Sophie K.

Played 3, Won 2 and Drew 1

Goals: Martha x 2, Niamh x1 and Emilia x1.

Coach: Mercedes

Fire

A beautiful morning greeted us upon arrival at Broadwater, the girls warmed up with great excitement to try out some of the new skills we have learnt on Friday night, including "transition" the latest tactic we are endeavouring to master!

In the first game against Sevenoaks, Guildford quickly took control, moving the ball around the pitch, including demonstrating transition from one side to the other, resulting in a 3-0 win. 

Onto the next game against our own GU12's, an oppo we know well! The game was end to end with some fierce defending and some great opportunities in attack for both teams, the game ended 0-0.  Our final game was against the same Sevenoaks team, the game was well fought and towards the last few minutes Sevenoaks scored a well struck goal from the edge of the D, the final score being 0-1.

A great mornings hockey was had by all, well done girls and thanks to the parents for supporting and Mercedes for organising and arranging some sun!

Mini tournament Vs Sevenoaks and GU12s:

Team: Emily, Grace, Sadie, Bea, Ruby, Isla, Izzy, Martha, Jess

P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1

Goals: For 3 Against 1

Coach: Charlie

Tornado

Going up against a Sevenoaks team that had just had a match to 'iron out the kinks' first up was not ideal and the girls were off the pace. The other 2 matches were much better and play was more expansive and the way we normally try to play, wide and fast. Lessons learnt on our marking, passing with head up and tackle from game 1 were taken into the other 2 games which could have gone both to Tornado's, 5 missed chances over both games that should have been converted. 

The attacking options and chances created were excellent, coming into either Sophie or Evelyn in the middle and from Jasmin and Tamara out wide. Defensively some tackling and marking was suspect in Game 1 and  vastly improved in the second 2 games but clearances and free hits were not up to the usual standards - something to work on. I can't fault the commitment from the defensive group of Evie, Ella, (both girls especially get a mention) Caitlin, Chloe and Tallulah so it's on the coaches to get better and instruct - worst player - the coach (s) - Wilco. special mention to Ella who used her head to defend..literally I am afraid, hope it's not too big a bruise..

Team: Caitlin, Chloe, Ella, Evie, Evelyn, Jasmine, Sophie, Tallulah and Tamara

Coach: Simon    

P3 D1 L2 0-4 Sevenoaks, 1-1 Guildford 0-1 Sevenoaks (again - should have been more than a draw, but a draw would have been fairer !).

Shadows ("Macaroons")

The team self named as "Macaroons" due to their maroon bibs for the games showed some great team spirit playing a strong Sevenoaks team twice and their fellow Guildford team ("Aka White Macaroons!) in the most competitive game.

The Macaroons started against Sevenoaks with good tackling and some runs forward down the middle but struggled to keep the ball. Alas, Seveanoaks capitalised on the break with several goals (4-0 I think).  

The Macaroons had a plan for their second game with a different formation. Moving the ball wide and right paid dividends and the Macaroons were on top nearly scoring twice with several balls taken off the line by the other side.  Some close calls at the other end were thwarted by great defending with the final score being (0-0).  

The Macaroons last game was against a still determined Sevnoaks who were very direct. A much better team performance saw better attacking down the right side but a couple of breakaways saw a deserving final score of (2-0 I think) to Sevenoaks.

The great thing about the team was that they improved and wanted to play more games by the end.  Some notable mentions, Bethany grew each game and became the key defender. Beth had a great game in Centre Midfield and Cara was key to carrying the ball towards goal on the right hand side.

Team: Mya, Hannah Mc, Hannah B, Rosie, Bethan, Beth, Cara, Chloe  and Evie

Coach: Jonny