PUBLISHED 31 January 2024
After the long journey across the country AKS teams rose to the challenge of the traditionally strong Wakefield High School and produced some top performances to come away with 5 wins and a draw in the 6 matches.
Performance of the day was that of the U13’s who showed their strength in depth with the A team winning 13 -0 and the B team 7 – 0.
As the score suggests the U13 A team put in a competent team performance with lovely linking play between the forwards and fast counterattacks catching the opposition off guard and back pedalling. We dominated from the first whistle attacking at pace through Isla C, Camilla W and Olivia W and goal machines Camilla (6) and Olivia (5) scored 11 of the 13 goals. There were also goals from Isla C and Victoria H to make up the scoring and finish a comprehensive victory. Isla C was voted the Player of the Match
U13B also played a very good match using the space extremely well and always looking to play the quick ball around Wakefield. They opened the scoreline early in the game and there was some excellent attacking play on the right by Connie F which converted into their first goal. By half time Connie had taken advantage of the space to give herself a hat trick, with Adrianna finishing on the left post twice to make the score 5-0. AKS continued with the same momentum into the second half. They passed the ball around early and kept up the pressure on Wakefield. Maya was able to put two more onto the score sheet to finish the match 7-0. Connie F was named the player of the match.
The U15’s had to play with just 10 players due to a raft of injuries and illness but rose to the challenge to play some great passing hockey and come away with a win. We started nervously but after 5 minutes we had our first shot when Poppy M brought a good save from the Wakefield keeper. Shots from Charlotte L and Amelia H kept up the pressure and we deservedly went into the lead in the 10th minute when a great pass from Poppy M on the right found Rosie Lfree in front of goal and she found the net. An identical move minutes later had the same outcome and another before the break made it 3- 0 at half time. After the break Wakefield started to stretch play more effectively and only great goalkeeping from Niamh M thwarted their best move and we stayed 3 ahead. Wakefield enjoyed a period of possession but solid team defending from Esther T, Sophia M, Sophie S limited their scoring opportunities. Another well worked goal set up by Charlotte L made the score 4 – 0 and the scoring was completed when Lucy W finished a superb driving run with a shot that found the net to make the final score 5 – 0. Players of the match was Sophie S who came out of goal to play on the pitch and did a superb job!
The U14’s won 6-0 win but the first half was not as one sided as scoreline suggests. Anna V opened the scoring after 4 minutes with a superb strike. A second goal came from Camilla C who deflected a penalty corner strike from Anna V into the goal and another Anna goal gave AKS a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time. The second half saw a confident AKS team dominate the game. They defended well with Madeleine K and Gracie G playing well on the left while surging runs from Camilla and Anna proved a constant threat to Wakefield whose goalkeeper was forced to make a number of outstanding saves. Three further goals from Anna V (2) and Camilla C gave AKS a 6-0 win. Player of the match was undoubtedly Captain Anna V who led the team superbly.
U12 A team had a very exciting game against Wakefield Girls High. AKS started the game well and spent the first half putting pressure on Wakefield in their defensive circle. With a few near misses, AKS were unlucky to go into half time with only a 1-0 lead. Alyssa W drove the ball down the right with pace, Evie G helped the ball on and Sophia T finished to make it 1 - 0. Wakefield came back fighting in the beginning of the second half and looked like they may even the score, some excellent saves from Leila B meant that AKS held on to their lead. AKS showed true resilience and battled to get back on top playing some excellent hockey. Their second goal came from Alyssa W from a short corner and this prompted the floodgates to open. Sophia was able to put a great shot through the keepers legs in order to take them to 3-0, shortly followed by a run from Sadie A with a shot from the top of the circle taking them to 4. The final goal came Sophia with a great piece of decision making and slotting it into the bottom left corner. Wakefield made a last minute effort to get past AKS with a very well timed tackle from Evie B stopping them in their tracks. Sophia T was voted the player of the match.
The U12B team had the closest game of the morning with both teams being evenly matched and the final score ending up as a draw. It was a great end to end game and AKS had a lot of scoring opportunities but could not find the back of the net and went in to the break a goal behind. In the second half AKS were more organised and disci-lined in sticking to their role. They responded quickly to free hits, cathcing the opposition off guard and gradually took control of the game and get back on level terms. All of the team tried to take in to the game the tactics they had worked on in training and worked hard to pass the ball to each other. Good strong defending made it difficult for the Wakefield to get shots at goal but when they did Faye J was on hand to save. Izzy H was voted the player of the match but all the team contributed to the team results.