PUBLISHED 13 March 2024
After another long journey across the country 6 AKS hockey teams faced the large and traditionally strong Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) with both U12 teams winning and all the other games enjoying high quality and closely contested matches.
The U12 squad took pride of place with both A & B teams coming away with close wins. The A team started well and took the lead early on with a great corner strike from player of the match Sophia T. GSAL were always a threat and only good defending from all the team, led by Sadie A , thwarted their best efforts. GSAL did score but a second goal from Sophia sealed the win in a close, hard fought match. Sadie A and Sophia T were outstanding and deserved Player of the Match winners. The B team also enjoyed a superb match and they too came out on top 2 – 1. Bella A and Hattie W scored to sel the win and Bella A was a constant threat using her pace well and she was deservedly voted the Player of the match
With a number of players missing through illness and others playing new positions the U15’s started slowly and GSAL put us under pressure to dominate the early exchanges. As the game progressed, however, we gained in confidence and started to attack at pace down the right with Ella A, Hannah A and Poppy M linking well. We came close to taking the lead when a great through pass from Sophia M found Rosie L high up the pitch and she bought a good save out of the advancing keeper. It was GSAL who did find the net minutes later but we came straight back to create more chances of our own with Rosie L going close when she saw her shot fly just wide from a well worked corner .
The second half saw us again take the game to GSAL with great driving runs forward from Esther T and Sophia M and some excellent interceptions in midfield from Lilly G putting GSAL under pressure. We created a number of goal-scoring opportunities but we could not beat the good GSAL keeper and it was GSAL who scored, against the run of play, late in the game to make the final score 0 – 2. Congratulations to all the team who played superbly, many in new positions, but Player of the Match was Lilly G for her superb performance in midfield.
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, the U14 team facing a shortage of players due to illness and injury, embarked on a long journey to face GSAL. The first half of the match saw the opposition dominating the game, but the underdog team refused to back down. With unwavering determination, they regrouped during halftime and came out all guns blazing in the second half. Showing true grit and determination, the team turned the tables on their opponents. They took control of the game but despite their dominance were unable to find the back of the net. In the end, despite the odds stacked against them, the team showcased their indomitable spirit and the 0-3 scoreline flattered the opposition. Congratulations to all the team for their hard work and resilience. POM Anna V.
The U13 A team had the ideal challenge in preparation for the North West finals next week facing a fast and skilful GSAL team. We started well and attacked at pace down the right through Olivia W but a breakaway saw GSAL go in to an early lead. Lauren M dominated the centre of the pitch and AKS continued to attack at pace and threaten the GSAL goal through Olivia W, Camilla W and Gabby H-S. Camilla W and Esme M found the net but GSAL also added two goals to make the final score 2 – 3. Player of the Match was Camilla W. The U13 B team also came up against strong opposition and lost 1 – 4. Connie F scored and Claudia J was the player of the Match.