PUBLISHED 13 September 2023
The AKS hockey season got off to a superb start with 6 teams playing against the traditionally strong Kings School, Macclesfield.
The U12A hockey team had a great start to their senior school hockey careers at AKS with a superb 8 – 3 victory. In a game of two halves, the squad started tentatively and Kings Macclesfield matched our standard of play and the teams were level pegging. At the end of the first half however the team were losing by 2 goals to 3.
In the second half though, the team came into their own and were a force to be reckoned with scoring 6 more goals without conceding. Great saves in goal were made by Leila B and decisive defending was witnessed from Katie W, Evie B and Scarlett B. In midfield, Sadie A, Alyssa W, Evie G and Charlotte R worked tirelessly and great forward runs were created by Sophia T and Hattie W. Five of the squad scored goals and it was wonderful to see so many names get on the score sheet with Sophia, Alyssa (2), Evie G, Charlotte (2), Sadie (2)) scoring in the 8-3 victory and make it a perfect start to the season. Alyssa W was named Player of the Match.
The U12 B team, with many playing their first competitive hockey match, just failed to make it a winning start losing 2 – 3. Amelia G scored both AKS goals and a great performance by Issy H saw her pick up the player of the match award.
Playing their first competitive 11 a side game the U14 squad also started the season on a positive footing against Kings Macclesfield. Within the first 60 seconds, Anna V made a fantastic run into the circle and a perfect strike saw the ball find the net to take AKS in to the lead. The second goal came late in the first half from a strike by Camilla C after a superb driving run and Scarlet E was on hand to tap the ball in on the back post. The third followed closely with a perfectly timed shot by Camilla which reached the back of the net to make it 3 - 0. Kings increased the pressure and despite some great saves by Shelby Q they managed to score to cut the deficit to 2 but in the final moment of the game, Scarlett, on the far post again, deflected the strike to score her 2nd goal of the game. Excellent play making by Olivia D, Maddie K and Kate H with solid support from the defence saw AKS win 4-1. A positive start to the season. Players of the match were Camilla C & Scarlet E.
A large U15 squad faced a strong side from Kings and started well with Amelia Hatton dominating midfield and us enjoying a lot of the ball. Against the run of play, however it was Kings who took the lead in the 8th minute. With everyone gaining in confidence we started to play good possession hockey and won several attacking corners from which Esther T found the net to level the scores at 1 – 1. Kings were always a threat and it required great defending from Sophia M, Lilly G, Ellie S, Ella A and Emile B to thwart the attacks and keep the score s level at half time. We continued to dominate possession and deservedly went ahead in the 7th minute of the second half when a great driving run in midfield by Esther T saw her deliver a pass to Grace P in the circle and her early shot put the keeper under pressure and Poppy M was on hand close in to force the ball over the line. The final stages of the game were even but three late corner goals saw Kings finish as 4 – 2 winners. Great hardworking performances from Esther T and Sophia M saw them named as players of the match.
The U13 A team continued with their winning ways with a 4 – 1 win thanks to a hat-trick from Olivia W and a goal from player of the match Camilla W while the B team lost 1 – 6.