 The Under 12 Girls were out in numbers again today with two teams playing four games a piece and another team playing four quarters of 15 minutes each - just like the internationals! See how they fared...
Flames
v Teddington, Wimbledon - Played 4: Won 2, Drew 2
A great run out against 2 good clubs visiting Fortress Broadwater - Teddington and Wimbledon
Four tough games played without any subs meant all the girls worked their socks off and played some great passing hockey. First game saw us overpower Teddington and win 4-0 with 3 goals coming from Isla and a neat finish from Martha Robbo.
Second game against Teddington’s stronger side was a real tight tussle and finished in a draw. Some great defending at the back from Holly and Gemma and masses of running in midfield from Martha, Ella and Isla and Katie working hard up front. Majority of the chances fell to us but their keeper had a great game and even made a fabulous triple save in one phase.
Games 3 and 4 saw us play Wimbledon. Game 3 saw us again face a great goalkeeper but we eventually won 1-0 having had lots of chances.
Final game the girls were tired and without any subs showed real determination to work for each other and finish the day strongly. We went behind early in the game but then upped the tempo and managed to equalise and then win the game in the last minute after some great team work.
All in all a top team day and lots of notable performances. Very pleased and proud of the girls as a team against 2 strong clubs.
Coach – James Relph
Umpire – Mark Robinson
Squad – Anouk M, Holly B, Gemma M, Isla J, Ella S, Katie A, Martha R
Storm
v Woking: 7-a-side Friendly
Away to Woking this week and thankfully the rain stopped shortly before push back!
Playing four quarters of 15 minutes Storm took the initiative early in the first with intense and determined attacks down the left flank. Tallulah often managing to find Amelie in a wide position and then some great movement off the ball by Amelie, Annabelle and Imogen to both create space and receive the return pass.
It wasn’t long before they broke through with both Annabelle and Imogen finishing off some great passing moves. Lara and Molly worked hard in defence, making some super tackles and alongside Tallulah Storm were able to thwart any Woking attacks, despite some skilful play by their right midfield. Annabelle converted a second before the end of the first quarter for Storm to lead 3-0 at the break.
The second quarter was much closer and needed Louisa in goal to be alert and fend off a number of Woking shots. Despite some great saves Woking did manage to convert a chance following a quick break away and a fierce shot. With Beth and Evie now joining up down the right side it wasn’t long however before Storm restored their 3 goal lead, Imogen slapping the ball into the left corner from a well worked move. Guildford continued to press but even with a number of short corners were unable to stretch their lead before half time (HT 4-1).
We switched round in the 3rd quarter so that everyone had a chance to play in their preferred positions. Beth and Annabelle dropped back into defence and had very little to do as the midfield and forwards pressed Woking hard. Amelie extended the lead, converting a short corner, by firing the ball hard into the left hand corner from the top of the circle. With everyone working for each other, and managing to find wide positions, further opportunities came. Molly and Beth converted 2 of these and without a sterling performance from the Woking goalkeeper there could have been many more (7-1).
With legs starting to tire in the 4th quarter we focused all our efforts on shifting the ball wide and only attacking down the right side. With Lara and Evie now driving down the right further goals followed. Evie created three goals from some fabulous runs and great final passes, Molly converting two at the far post whilst Imogen and Beth also netted with some clinical slaps leaving the keeper little chance.
Well done all - a well-earned victory!!!! (11-1).
Many thanks to all the parents for their support and encouragement, hope you weren’t too cold!
Squad – Louisa C (GK), Amelie E (1), Evie A, Lara D, Molly P (3), Beth W (2), Annabelle B (2), Imogen M (3), Tallulah T.
Coach – Jon Dye
Shadows
v Teddington, Wimbledon, 7 a side friendlies - Played 4: Drew 1 (2-2), Lost 2 (1-2, 0-2), Won 1 (2-0)
Girls played well and grew stronger with each match. With 2 members of the squad not playing due to injuries and a further 2 carrying injuries the girls had to work hard a dig deep.
They fought especially hard in their first match (2-1 loss). With no subs and the girls in mostly the right positions they worked on width and moving the ball around accurately and with 'presence’. The team did miss some key players in key positions, but this was great pressure in the warm up for Barcelona.
They coped with the pressure of playing throughout each match, against strong opposition, especially in the first 2 games, where sometimes their were required to play in positions they were not comfortable with. Defensively we needed to be more mobile and with better covering back / communication.
In attack our movement in from the right wing was good (Phoebe) and through the middle (Martha) well backed up by Emily. Saffy was particularly strong in defence and Tabby proved both brave and savvy with excellent saves in goal.
When we moved forward we looked dangerous and had well taken goals from Martha (2), Emily (1) and Phoebe (1).
Well played all.
Squad: Tabitha B (GK), Caitlyn B, Saffy S, Emily W, Martha C, Ottalie T, Phoebe W, Emma M
Coach: Simon Wilcockson
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