PUBLISHED 14 February 2020
It was another excellent Saturday morning of hockey with saw not only saw AKS coming out on top against Wilmslow High School with five wins in the six games but also a number of Year 9 pupils taking on the role of coaches for our younger teams.
The U15/16 game saw us start slowly and it was Wilmslow who had the first shot but thankfully it flew wide. Wilmslow started to dominate possession and we needed a good save from Eva to keep the scores level but they deservedly went ahead in the 18th minute. Ziv and Ellie S tested the keeper with good shots but at the break the score was 0 – 1. We started the second half on the front foot and Ziv bought another save from the Wilmslow keeper after a good run from Nyah on the right. Lifted by our improved play we continued to attack at pace and got reward for our efforts when Liberty was on hand to find the corner of the goal to level the scores at 1 – 1. The fast, feisty Wilmslow players gave us no time on the ball and were always a threat and when they broke away we were grateful to Eva again as she closed down the approaching forward and forced her to put the shot wide. Now playing good passing hockey we continued to attack and Ziv went close before we took the lead thanks to a fine run and shot by Nyah. We extended our lead before the final whistle with the best goal of the game which saw Freya switch play and Poppy drive into the circle and after having her first shot saved made no mistake with a second to make it 3 – 1. The final score-line was a superb result in a game which saw us not only come from behind but also saw players experiencing playing different positions on the pitch. Players of the Match were Eva for her crucial saves that kept us in the game on a number of occasions and Liberty for her first goal of the season and excellent work rate in a number of positions.
With a number of U14’s taking on the roles of coaches for the younger teams it was an opportunity for other players in the large squad to enjoy time on the pitch. Wilmslow proved to be a fast and skilful side and they took the lead in the first half with a well taken goal. The AKS U14 team worked hard for each other and created chances but the Wilmslow keeper thwarted our best efforts and with a goal in the second half sealed their 2 – 0 win. Player of the match was Poppy B.
Saturday was a festival of hockey for our younger teams with four teams made up of thirty Yr 7 and Yr8 girls playing against Wilmslow HS. There were good team and individual performances all round with the girls enjoying playing lots of hockey.
A confident display from the U13A team saw them win their game 7-1 with all seven goals being scored by on form Hollie. In the game Jessica A controlled the middle while Sophie and Alexa combined well on the right to set up endless goalscoring opportunities. Players of the match were undoubtedly goalscorer Hollie and Alexa who made the chances with her exciting runs on the right.
In the U13B game an early penalty corner strike from Sophie after a perfectly executed injection from Hollie gave AKS the lead. A hatrick from Hollie and second half goals for Sophie and Katie gave AKS a 6-0 win. Katie was dominant at the back while Rachel and Charlotte both tackled well. Player of the match was Katie who worked tirelessly on the forward line as well as working back to help the defence.
A combined AKS U12/U13 team went 1-0 up after five minutes when sweeper Kate ran through to give her team the early lead. Wilmslow had their chances but AKS keeper Evie was on hand to help her defence survive a number of goalmouth scrambles. There were further goals from Laura (2) Emma and Zoe before Wilmslow scored a late but well deserved consolation goal to make the final score 5-1 to AKS. Player of match was Laura who set up a number of goalscoring opportunities as well as scoring herself.
The U12B game gave the opportunity for some of our less experienced players to have more pitch time and it was pleasing to see the progress they made as the game went on. Freya, Charlotte and Lara tackled well in defence distributing the ball strongly. The opposition struggled with Lucy T’s pace and Eleanor enjoyed playing a more attacking role scoring two goals in quick succession. Chloe and Emily played well on the forward line getting better and better as the game went on. An impressive performance saw AKS win the game 8-1 with goals from Eleanor (2) Laura , Lucy W, Lola , Chloe and Freya. Player of the match was Lola who controlled the middle and grew in stature as a player as the game went on.