PUBLISHED 13 November 2022
AKS U15 hockey team are celebrating reaching the third round on the National Independent Schools Cup Competition after a thrilling extra time win over a strong Queens School, Chester side.
We got off to the worst start possible going behind in only the third minute and knew we were in for a tough game. We struggled to get to grips with the Queens system of play and our opponents dominated the first 10 minutes of the game and had a number of other opportunities to score. We slowly started to enjoy some possession and good work on the right with Kirtika S and Charlotte L linking well . It was from a great passing move of the right that we had our first scoring opportunity which we just failed to convert on the left post. Gaining in confidence all the time we stared to dominate down the right with Charlotte L using her pace to great effect to win our first corner. After the initial attempt was well defended by Queens we did well to keep the ball in the circle and Kirtika found the net with a well taken shot to draw us level. With the teams well matched Queens were always dangerous on the break and only sound defending by Captain Lisa P, Sophia M, Esther T and Laura A kept the scores level. Before the break we had chances of our own especially a well worked corner which was well saved by the Queens keeper but at half time the scores were level at 1-1.
The second half saw Queens again start on the front foot with their dangerous midfield putting us under pressure with their driving runs and they were unlucky not to go ahead in the 6th minute when a superb strike hit the post and deflected wide. We, however had a threat of our own as Lola H , Kirtika S and Charlotte L linked well on the right to put the Queens defence under pressure and Eve C bought a good save out of the Queens keeper. With both teams evenly matched there was some superb play from both teams but at the final whistle they could not be separated with the score remaining 1-1 and so extra time and penalty shuffles were on the cards to decide the winner.
The first 5 minutes of extra time saw both sides pushing for the winner and creating good scoring opportunities but both sets of defenders and goalkeepers were at their best and at half time the scores were still locked at 1 – 1.
The second period of extra time started with us on the front foot and a superb pass out of defence found Charlotte L in the centre. Her touch took it round the Queens defender and found Lucy W in the circle and her quick thinking and push towards goal flew past the outrushing keeper and into the net to take us in to the lead for the first time in the game. With 3 minutes left it required superb marking and defending from the whole team as Queens pushed everyone forward to force an equaliser but everyone stepped up to deny Queens any clear chances. Queens were awarded a corner in the last seconds of the game but more great corner defence by the team denied them a clear shot and the game ended with AKS victorious in extra time and avoiding the prospect of the game being decided on the dreaded penalty shoot out!
All the team deserve great credit for their efforts in the game but Player of the Match was Kirtika S for her superb work rate up and down the pitch and her dominant attacking play.