Girls Development Vs Yarmouth

Yarmouth v Girls Development

1st December 2018

Mattison            Howes              Beck 

Beck                   Biran               Meek

Walker                                    Pilkington

                           Moore

                           Millard (GK)

Broad / Broad

A cold, bright but early start for Girls Development today with a trip to the seaside, to see our friends the other side of the county in Yarmouth. Starting with ten, due to players being delayed en route. A young relatively inexperienced side started the game with enthusiasm, having spoke about their training sessions and their short corner routines and general hockey banter. (Amazing how much these young people take in – As you get older you tend to forget)

The hosts having won the toss, took the PB and were straight on the offensive, Pelicans defended well and as soon as they gained possession, proceeded to pass the ball well and build the attack. Surprisingly these girls had the confidence to pass the ball around the back and switch the ball from the left to right channels. Moore made critical tackles at the back passing the ball right to Mia Pilkington who had a great game holding the ball up before distributing to Gracie Mae Meek, (The youngest player today – outstanding positional play reading the game brilliantly) Alice Biran and Amalie Beck. Passes from Moore to the right found an equally well placed Louisa Walker who threaded passes to Jessica Beck, Alice Biran and Nikola Mattison. Hannah Howes also put in a sterling shift, finding space in attack and tackling back when needed. Esther Broad joined as the 11th player not quite in the 11th hour, albeit one of the younger players making a very valid addition to the side, relentless. Martha Broad came on for Hannah Howes, again a very effective addition to the side.

The game was pretty much end to end hockey, with Pelicans having the balance of possession, it finished 0 – 0. The GK Cerys Millard had little to do in the first two quarters and had complained of the cold, thankfully frost bite hadn't set in as she made sterling saves in the 3rd and last quarters to keep a clean sheet. Nikola showed pace in attack and was to be denied a couple of times to get the shot off on goal by one of the Yarmouth adults. The Yarmouth keeper denied Beck on a short corner and both Beck and Broad came close again being denied by Yarmouth adults.

The girls first clean sheet of the season, a testament to their hard work, I know they will be disappointed not to have scored today and I am sure all the parents will have heard how close they came to their first win. Loads of positives to take from today, each and everyone of you should be proud. #FutureStars Thanks and gratitude from the opposition speaks volumes.

Special thanks to Louisa Walker making the journey despite an injured foot (Top effort) wishing you a speedy recovery.

Players Player of the match: Mia Pilkington

Managers Player of the match: Mia Pilkington

Glenn