 Three Under 10 Girls travelled to East Grinstead where they played in two different competitions against the hosts and also Sunbury & Walton Hawks. Two GHC teams were undefeated with one team winning their competition. Well done to all...
The Southeast End competition – 'A' teams
Emma M (GK), Gemma, Martha C, Martha Re, Rosie, Ella, Freya, Jemima, Phoebe, Tilly
Coach : Katie
My team were in the ‘Southeast End’ competition with some girls new to the squad. The girls won their first game against S&W 2-0, with Rosie and Martha scoring as a result of short corners. The girls played a good game but we lacked energy – maybe the long car journey needed shaking off!
The second game was against East Grinstead white, our girls were the stronger side but a last minute interception resulted in a goal for EG and we lost 0-1. We had plenty of short corners and opportunities to score but nothing was converted so maybe some crowded D shooting practice on Friday.
Our third game was against East Grinstead Yellow and we won 2-0 - Rosie scoring again from a short corner and Ella scoring from a rebound. Again we were the stronger side but we managed to convert our chances better.
For a complete change, we then played a short corner competition where each side had three opportunities to defend their goal and three opportunities to score. We played against each team and the results were as follows:
v Sunbury & Walton - 0-0 draw
v East Grinstead White - 1-0 win
v East Grinstead Yellow - 0-0 draw
Great defending and quickly out but maybe we need some more practice on scoring from short corners.
After the Surrey tournament, this was a good opportunity to swap positions. The girls joining the squad worked hard, fitted in well and overall played well.
Katie
The Northeast End pool – mixed ability teams
Guildford Ice
Evie, Molly, Olivia, Lucy, Hatty, Grace F, Grace J, Izzy, Imogen
Coach: Sophie P
v East Grinstead Red - 1-0 win
If enthusiasm and energy was a competition then Guildford Ice would definitely have won! Excitement was at fever pitch as we started our first game against EG Red. All 9 players were allowed to play and we got off to a flying start with some really strong tackling from Hatty in the midfield and great distribution from Lucy as CM. We had lots of chances in the D and it wasn't long before Evie managed to score. We continued to put the pressure on them and were unlucky not to score again. It ended 1-0 to us.
v Sunbury & Walton - 0-0 draw
Game 2 against S&W. Again we dominated this game with lots of strong positive play from Grace J in defence, who discovered that she also likes to attack and did some great runs up the middle. Izzy and Immy managed to keep the width well and we distributed the ball well. Molly and Immy linked up well on the right and we had some good opportunities but unfortunately didn't manage to score. Gamed ended 0-0
v East Grinstead White - 0-1 loss
Game 3 against EG white. This was our most challenging game so far and the teams were equally matched. Again we managed to create some good opportunities and the team worked really hard. Having attacked so well in the previous 2 games everyone was up for scoring, however this left us vulnerable in defence, Hatty managed a fantastic tackle with 3 EG players heading towards her in the D and Olivia worked hard to keep opposition away from the goal but unfortunately they managed to score. The EG coach commended our team on their performance and said it was the best game they had played and that they had used the whole half pitch really well. Game ended 0-1
v Guildford Fire - 0-2 loss
Game 4 against Guildford Fire. Even though it was the final game the Ice team still had fire in their stomachs. They started off under attack from Guildford Fire and were struggling in defence - perhaps because we were trying a new formation as everyone wanted to try different positions! They defended well and managed to hold up under the onslaught from Fire. However an inevitable goal went in. They kept their heads up and we managed to make some great attacking play - Grace F, in only her second game, out in a strong performance up front and Izzy and Olivia kept working hard to defend. Grace J in the middle managed to link well between the defence and attack but unfortunately they scored again and the game ended 2-0.
Sophie P
Guildford Fire
Caitlin B, Amelie, Tallulah, Isla, Bibi, Alexandra, Ruby, Ellie, Holly Y
Coach: Jon
Game 1 vs Sunbury 0-0 draw
On a cold windy morning the girls soon warmed up in what was an evenly balanced game. To some extent helped by the opposition having one more player on the pitch in error! Some great tackling by Ruby on the right side and driving runs by Caitlyn at centre forward. Tallulah and Ellie made sure the defence held up well both tackling well and clearing the ball wide. Lots of pressure on the opposition goal but unfortunately no way through a resolute opposition defence.
Game 2 vs East Grinstead Red 1-0 win
The girls certainly started finding their rhythm in the second games with some fantastic skills and passing moves down the wide channels. Bibi, playing at right back, made an important tackle and clearance to stop a threatening opposition attack. Isla tackled hard in midfield often driving forward having won the ball back. From one of these runs she was able to drive into the circle from the right, finishing with a strong push into the goal from a tight angle. Alexandra’s cartwheel celebration equally went down well! Despite further pressure the opposition defended well and we weren’t able to extend the lead. However, first win of the day and no looking back with confidence levels building!
Game 3 vs East Grinstead Blue 6-1 win
Now in full flight the girls made short work of the next game. Intense pressure on opposition free hits, hard tackling and some great passing meant another well deserved win for the girls. Goals from Tallulah (x2), Holly, Isla, Caitlyn and Amelie delivered a convincing win. Alexandra defended well at left back and Amelie had some skilful runs on the left wing cutting in and making some searching passes across the circle. Difficult to ask much more of the girls with great determination, especially when an opposition goal looked certain - only for Ellie to appear out of nowhere to clear the ball from the goal line!
Game 4 vs Guildford Ice 2-0 win
Last game of the day and despite some legs beginning to tire the girls gave everything. An evenly balanced match although Fire managed to keep a better shape, staying in their positions providing better passing options. It was good also to work on taking free hits quicker, catching the opposition unaware. It was from one of these quick moves down the right that the first goal came courtesy of Isla. Caitlyn followed up shortly afterwards with her second goal of the day. Holly, Alexandra and Bibi in defence, managed to stop Ice in the final few minutes with the score finishing at 2-0.
Great fun had by all, lots of things to take confidence from and a bonus to come out as winner of the Northeast tournament!
Jon
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