 Following an epic performance GHC Girls' U16 A team beat Epsom 3-1 to qualify for the Tier 2 (Regional Round) of the England Hockey Girls U16 Championships 2016/17.
Supported by a fantastic home crowd including parents, grandparents, siblings and members of our other ladies 1’s /2’s and 3’s teams plus our new sponsor Lexus, the atmosphere was electric and the girls felt the pressure to win and beat Epsom who only needed to draw to qualify.
With their strongest side fielded – Alex, Anja, Olivia, Anna, Edgie, Becky, Mollie, Niamh, Alice, Stephy, Emma, Hannah, Jemma and Hannah, the girls dominated from the start and an early goal scored by Mollie in the 3rd minute settled the nerves and gave the girls confidence that they could win.
Epsom pressure was strong but a solid Guildford defence that has only let in 4 goals in the league continued to dominate and intercept most passes. A second goal after 12 minutes from Anja enabled the team to continue to build up increasing attacking pressure and self-belief helped by whoops and cheers from the side-lines, resulting from allot of legwork by the midfield. Epsom managed to catch Guildford on the break to secure a goal, 2-1 up just before half time.
Some tactical adjustments at half time saw us press Epsom on all their free hits, resulting in nearly 70% domination by Guildford in Epsom’s D with a huge number of missed goal scoring chances (or practice shots as we call them) adding to the nervous tension of all the parents watching (it was this point Sarah decided to bury herself in the cake stall!)
But this team knows how to win and finally the pressure of Stephy flooring the Goalkeeper allowed Edgie to secure the third goal with a high lob into the back of the net with less than 10 minutes to go. In summary, a fantastic performance from all the girls who played their part, communicated well and did their job. A great team effort.
A massive thanks to Chris for coaching and preparing the girls, Sarah as always for setting everything up, Michele for sorting out the cake stall, everyone who contributed cakes, and bought more cakes! Richard for a great job umpiring and to a very special, supportive home crowd, makes you proud to be part of such a great club!
The Regionals take place on the 12th March – please put the date in your diary.
Briege
Thank you to Lexus Guildford for helping make the day a special one at GHC...
See photos from the match in the gallery by clicking on a thumbnail photo...
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