England Hockey U16 Cup
U16 Girls v Repton
Nottingham Hockey Centre, 6th November – 3.00pm
The Under 16 girls started their 2016-2017 cup journey against Repton yesterday eager to repeat the success of last years’ campaign where they performed magnificently to finish 3rd in a memorable day at Lee Valley.
The early exchanges were quite even between the two teams with Repton managing to force a couple of short corners that were dealt with well by goalkeeper Sofie and the defensive line of Emma G, Charlotte and Hattie. A good counterattacking move involving Jenna and Frederike ended up with Jess free in the D and she made no mistake with a cracking shot into the bottom corner to put The Bees 1-0 after only 5 minutes.
Good play down the right hand side involving Gracie and Hanna led the Repton defence being pushed back and a series of long corners followed however no further goals were scored.
It was then the visitors turn to attack and their pressure eventually tolled as a slick short corner routine led to them equalising after 14 minutes. Unfortunately for The Bees, Repton then went in front from another short corner to make the score 2-1 after 25 minutes.
There was then a rather scrappy period of play where no team really dominated. However everyone was working very hard especially Nina and Jika up front and Pheobe in midfield.
A nice ball by Charlotte led to a super run by Jika who fired the ball across the D where Jenna was very unlucky to not get a final touch on the ball. More good play down the right by Fran enabled Jess D to run at the Repton defence and again cross a super ball into the D where the attackers could just not quite get there in time. However it was third time lucky for the Beeston girls when some more excellent play down the right this time led to a short corner which was expertly put away by Nina to make the score at half time 2-2.
The second half started with some excellent interplay between Emma W and Jika which led to an early Beeston short corner although this unfortunately led to nothing. More Beeston pressure from Gracie again forced another short corner that was well executed by the girls and forced an excellent save from the Repton goalie.
Repton then came back into the game forcing a couple of short corners themselves that were well dealt with by the Beeston defence. Again the midfield of Emma W, Pheobe, Jess and Frederike were all working hard both in attack and when defending.
The visitors then converted another short corner routine to put them 3-2 up.
Repton could have extended their lead when a mazy run from one of their midfielders ended up in her rounding Sofie in goal. Fortunately Fran was there at the near post to prevent the visitors going further into the lead.
Jenna was working well down the left hand side and Emma W down the right pressurising the Repton defence into a mistake which gave the hosts a chance at equalising with a short corner. Unfortunately it was not to be as again the visitors defence held firm.
Charlotte then linked up well with Frederike and Nina to force the Repton defence further back leading to another short corner which again could not be converted.
Final score Beeston 2 – 3 Repton
The girls should be rightly proud of how they played. It was their first competitive match together with many of them making their debuts. There is still plenty of hard work ahead should they qualify for the regionals however on this showing there is plenty of optimism around the camp.
Thanks to Helen, Phil and Colin for organising everything so well and to the parents for all the encouragement and lifts to training!