 Five teams of Under 12 Girls were in action today including the Flames in their first 11-a-side league match of the season. The other four teams played some super 7-a-side. See how it all went here...
Flames
On a beautiful afternoon at Fortress Broadwater the U12s started well in their first 11-a-side league match of the season with a solid 3-0 win against a decent Reading side.
In the first third we passed the well with most of the girls going open stick and trying to pass wide. With Emma, Holly, Katie and Rosie super solid at the back, the midfield of Martha Robo, Eliza and Ottalie we created a lot of chances for Martha Re and Isla and Martha C up front. Freya, Imo and also Ella all rotated and did well. Tabitha was ready for action in goal!
Reading battled away but we dominated possession for long periods and their goalkeeper made a load of great saves. Lots of positive movement and a good goal from Isla after many short corners. In the final 3rd of the game we upped the tempo and the girls were determined to get more width on the game. Reading defended well and denied numerous shots.
Some great runs down the right from Martha Rob, Martha Relph and Imogen. Ella made some neat short sharp passes and Rosie stepped up from sweeper to direct the game. Emma, Katie and Holly were strong at the back and linked well with Eliza, Freya and Martha C in midfield. Isla made some great charges down the wing and we had numerous chances.
Martha Relph added the second goal from a narrow angle and Rosie finished off the game with a 3rd and final goal. All in all a good first game at 11-aside and plenty to be happy about and plenty to keep working in attaining every week. Well done to the whole squad and thanks to Libby and Jonny for umpiring
Squad – Tabitha B (GK), Rosie L, Holly B, Emma M, Freya W, Martha C, Ottalie T, Isla J, Ella S, Martha R, Imogen M, Martha R, Eliza L, Katie A
Coach – James Relph
Shadows
A little on the wet side today!! It rained cats & dogs all game and a flooded pitch gave the girls a tough intro into 11 a side as well as a ‘competitive’ and determined Ealing side!
In terms of the result, the girls won, what was a close match, 2-1, after initially conceding a goal in the first quarter. They bounced back quickly though with Caitlin D scoring a few minutes later. The second goal came in the 3rd quarter after a good bit of presence in Ealing’s 25 – Phoebe intercepting a pass, running into the circle and finishing well past the keepers left.
A few good chances at both ends in the final quarter and some better finishing could have seen a bigger margin. Otherwise a good, spirited performance with a good playing attitude from all the girls.
Squad: Evie A, Caitlyn B, Lara D, Caitlyn D, Amelie D, Tilly F, Jemima F, Charlotte J, Gemma M, Saffy S, Tallulah T, Emily W, Phoebe W, Grace J (GK)
Coaches: Jon Dye and Simon Wilcockson
Storm
Well the first friendly of the season kicked off in pouring / driving / freezing rain against Woking. The girls played matches against Woking’s A and B team and then a further match against the Guildford Hurricane Team.
It took a while for the girls to become familiar with their positions on the pitch and to start communicating with each other. However once this was in place the team really did go from strength to strength. From very early on the girls successfully used the width of their pitch passing out to their wings. Olivia worked tirelessly in the centre linking the defenders and the forwards and regularly changing the direction of play. Martha was as solid as a rock in defence, she did some great tackles followed by well thought out drives up towards the half way line before passing out to the wings. Charlotte showed great determination and focus and wasn't the slightest bit scared to push right in there for a tackle.
Molly and Lucy both worked hard to gain possession. It was lovely to see them both dribbling the ball down the wing and looking up to see where Issy or Susannah were positioned before passing the ball into the D. Issy soon grasped the CF role and not only exerted a huge amount of effort at trying to get the ball past the goal keeper but was quick to get into position and build our defensive wall whenever the opposition had a 16 yard or hit in.
Susannah showed her ability by being able to alternate between defender and attacker. In defence she was a force to be reckoned with allowing very few balls to get past her. In attack her determination, drive and enthusiasm enabled the team to have countless shots at goal. As for Anouk, well she was on fire, nothing was going to get past her! Some good strong kicks of the ball back into the midfield and some really good saves.
Well done girls you got better and better as the matches went on and by the end you really were playing some well thought out hockey, which was enjoyable to watch.
Squad: Olivia C, Martha F, Issy G, Charlotte H, Molly P, Susannah L, Lucy F, Anouk M (GK)
Coach: Katie Stewart
Hurricane
Hurricane started the season in fine spirits despite the heavy rain.
On the pitch some awesome determination and great play was mixed up with some match rustiness leading to tactical mistakes which saw us narrowly lose a tight contest with Woking B in our first game. The game could have gone either way. Despite our best efforts we were then beaten by Woking A. We dug deep and overcame Guildford Lightning then lost the last game to Guildford Storm.
It was a good first set of matches and the girls gave it their all in some horrid conditions and gave us plenty to build on. We will get better! Well done girls!
Played 4
Lost 3
Won 1
Squad; Alexandra K, Lottie J-P, Clara D, Emily B, Grace C, Hatty S, Livi V, Millie M, Olivia R(GK)
Coach: Dan Thompson
Lightning
Results: 0-0 vs Woking 2, 0-1 vs GHC Storm, 3-1 vs Woking 1
Despite the torrential rain and no keeper, the GU12 “Lightening” team turned out at Broadwater to face 2 strong Woking Teams and the GU12 Storm.
The author assembled his squad, sheltering under several large umbrellas and despite a few lingering Sunday morning yawns and the occasional shiver, the girls were on excellent form and up for what was to be a challenging and enjoyable mornings hockey. A quick team pep talk in the club house and we were off!
Woking up first and we were out of the blocks fast, some slick passing, solid tackles and old-fashioned grit saw Lucy holding strong in the midfield. Lilia and Eve at right and left midfield posing a real threat. Our defence was strong, with Elise making several goal line saves but unfortunately we cleared one too many times from the D up the middle, exposing ourselves to a soft, keeper less goal. 0-1.
Game 2 vs Guildford Storm. A slightly older more experienced team this time but we weren’t going to let this daunt us. Scarlet linked wonderfully between our defence and attack and we started to use our width more effectively. GHC Storm were looking in trouble. Louisa playing up front worked hard to press the defence whilst giving us attacking options when we won the ball back. This time our defence were more aware of the “danger zone” and clearances from the back were more lateral, releasing pressure on our keeperless goal. Another fantastic effort from all, but ended with a 0-0 draw.
The weather was starting to take its toll now and this was our third game without a break. This was clearly Woking’s A team, but unfazed, we approached the game with an identical mind-set to the previous games. Kitty’s yawns had finally subsided and she was excellent in defence, tackling like there was no tomorrow followed by some robust sideways clearances. Flora was also exceptional in defence making some firm tackles marking like she was covered with Velcro. It was team work and a positive attitude meant we limited the score line to 3-1. | 
