PUBLISHED 21 November 2021
It was a long but very successful trip to Yorkshire for six AKS hockey teams as we faced opposition in the form of the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) and came away with four wins against a large, traditionally strong hockey school.
The U15 team started well taking the game to GSAL attacking at pace down the right and deservedly went ahead in the 10th minute when a great Layla W cross found the inform Jessie A infront of goal and she made no mistake in finding the net to take us into an early lead. We did not have the lead for long however as GSAL equalised a minute later to make it 1 – 1. Undeterred we continued to attack with pace and when the ball fell to Lisa P in the circle she restored our lead with a well taken goal. Before the break we went 3 – 1 ahead when the dominant Layla W out ran the defence again and laid the ball to Holly W infront of goal and she made no mistake in finding the net.
GSAL started the second half on the front foot and got a goal back just 2 minutes into the half and then only good defending at a number of corners maintained our two goal lead. A defensive error from GSAL saw them gift the ball to Layla W from the back and she used her skill to round the defender and slot it past the keeper to restore our 2 goal lead. GSAL did enjoy more possession and created a number of scoring chances but good defending kept the ball out and the final score was 4 – 2. Layla W was the player of the match for her dominant driving runs from midfield.
An early start for AKS U 14’s this week as they travelled to Leeds Grammar School. The team work hard and show improvement in many areas. Although losing 2-0 this did not reflect the game as both teams were well matched in what was a very competitive game. Leeds Grammar scored just before half time and similarly just before the end of the game. AKS also had their chances, but unfortunately could not find the back of the net. There were great linking passes between Kirtika S and Laura A , with both girls being voted Player of the match by Leeds and AKS respectively. AKS showed better organisation in defence in the second half, with players marking tightly and the forwards working back and starting to form the press. The girls now need to work on bridging the gap between defence and attack, enabling the team to move forward and back as a whole unit.
The U13 A team went behind to GSAL in the first half but a goal by player of the match Amelia H saw the final scores level at 1 – 1. U13 B team recorded another win with a superb display of passing hockey. Ellie S, Ella A, Isla A & Sophia B defended superbly marking well and putting in strong tackles to win the ball and clear out wide. Poppy M was a constant threat up front displaying great speed and skill to create a number of scoring opportunities 3 of which she converted to secure our victory.
The U12A team got off to a slow start with neither side creating many chances and the first half ending at 0-0. The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half with a good move on the right. Sweeper Amelie C cleared the ball effectively to Penelope D on the right who played it quickly down the sideline to Maisie W who drove into the circle to score from a narrow angle. This goal lifted the team and they started to pass the ball and use the width much better. This created gaps in the opposition defence which Anna V was able to exploit to set up the second goal for AKS with Lila N scoring with a well taken goal on the left post. Goalkeeper Shelby Q was not tested as much as in previous weeks, but when called upon made some decisive saves, while once again Reya produced a strong performance in defence, marking the oppositions right forward out of the game. Player of the match was Lila N who played well and was able to execute skills on the left at pace.
The U12 B team game was an impressive to watch with both teams learning a lot as the game progressed Maisie W showed off her skills in the first half as she created many shooting opportunities but it was Sophia McQ ’s quick thinking which turned defence into attack that led to the first goal. AKS defended t heir lead well with strong tackling and excellent saves from Shelby Q and we secured the win with a second goal from Grace P again set up by a quick free hit from Sophia. Player of the match was Sophia McQ.