PUBLISHED 19 November 2019
- Matches against Ripley & Altrincham
After a break AKS hockey teams were glad to get back on the pitch and it proved another superb festival of hockey as three teams took on Ripley St. Thomas on Friday and on Saturday 6 teams faced the traditionally strong Altrincham Girls Grammar School and again came out on top with five wins with the Year 7 A team maintaining their unbeaten record.
Year 7 against Ripley St.Thomas
Friday was a festival of hockey as all the AKS Year 7 pupils represented the school in 3 matches against Ripley St.Thomas. The A team recorded yet another victory coming out as 6 – 0 winners. Layla topped the scorers with a brace of goals while great team play created a number of chances that Laura , Lisa, Kirtika and Lucy converted to make the final score 6 – 0. Lisa was voted Player of the Match for her hard work in both attack and defence.
AKS B team started strongly taking an early lead with a well taken goal from Anya. A series of good passes led to a second goal this time from Lara. Ripley worked hard to get back in the game but AKS defended well with Eleanor holding the middle and Lucy and Sasha tackling strongly as well as supporting the attack with some surging runs forward. Another goal from on form Anya and a goal each for Scarlett and Lucy Turpie gave AKS a comfortable 5-0 lead with Ripley scoring a late consolation goal to make the final score 5-1 to AKS. Player of the match was Charlotte who intercepted and distributed the ball well as sweeper. The C team saw four girls making their debuts for AKS and the game was fast and furious. Playing indoors saw lots of goalmouth action from both teams as shown by the 4 – 9 score-line. An exciting game enjoyed by AKS and Ripley alike!
Saturday vs Altrincham Girls Grammar School
The U12 teams did not have to wait long for their next game as Saturday saw them face Altrincham Girls Grammar School. Despite dominating in the first five minutes, AKS U12 A team conceded an early goal and had to work hard to get back into the game against an Altrincham side determined to defend their lead. AKS created chances with shots going wide as well as being saved by the on form Altrincham keeper. Eventually Laura equalised for AKS after good play from Layla and Lisa down the middle. The second half saw AKS step up a gear and dominate with some superb passing hockey from all team members. The team used the width well with Kirtika setting up chance after chance on the right and the goals came one after another. Laura scored four on the left post to make her final goal tally five, while the other goals came from Lisa(2) Lucy(2) and Layla. In a game of two halves an impressive team performance saw AKS romp to a 10-1 win. Player of the match was Laura whose movement off the ball and positioning led to her scoring five goals.
A mixed AKS U12/U13 B team worked hard to win their game by 3 goals to 0. Sweeper Charlotte was confident at the back while defenders Niamh, Eleanor and Lucy closed the opposition down quickly to regain possession. Once in possession the pace of the AKS forwards Grace, Katie and Lily caused problems for the opposition and the game ended 3-0 with all three goals being scored by player of the match Katie.
AKS U13A team put on a strong performance against a very skilful and determined Altrincham Girls Grammar side and deservedly came out on top. AKS took control of the match and dominated for the first 7 minutes forcing the Altrincham Goalkeeper to make some great saves with other shots just going wide of the post. After all the AKS pressure it was Altrincham who scored first , against the run of play after two breakaways saw them score on both occasions. AKS were not discouraged and continued to attack at pace. They showed a lot of determination and we got one back when Alexa managed to open the scoring, pouncing on a rebound off the keeper to slot the ball home. Another goal before the break saw the result in the balance at 2-2 at half time. In the second half AKS learnt from mistakes made in the first and made sure there were no gaps in their defence and started to dominate down the right. It was from a move down the right that saw us work the ball into the circle and Jessie snatched the third goal on the left post. AKS put themselves in a strong position going 4-2 in the lead with only minutes to go. An Altrincham goal in the final seconds from a well struck corner made the final score a hard fought 4-3 win to AKS. Players of the match were Charlotte and Jessie.
AKS U13B had an outstanding match against Altrincham Girls Grammar with a superb team performance. We passed the ball well and were in control for the majority of the game. We opened the scoring with Evie finding the net with a great strike at a short corner. We continued to dominate possession and Holy made it 2 – 0. An incredible top left corner sweep from Kate made it 3 – 0 by half time. We kept the pressure on in the second half and great pressing from Anya saw her win the ball and then go on to score to make it 4 - 0. Altrincham managed to get a goal back but more goals from Anya, after a great banana run by Holly found Anya Kiely on the penalty spot, and Evie Finnegan. Player of the Match was Katie.
With a narrow victory in our last meeting the U14 team knew they were in for a challenge, but we got off to the perfect start when Olivia found the net in only the second minute, with a superb corner routine to make it 1 – 0. Shocked by our early goal Altrincham came at us with pace and only great low defending from Maddie thwarted their attacks. Lucy and Olivia dominated midfield and when a good passing move found Katie free in the circle only a good save from the Altrincham keeper kept the ball out. Altrincham were always dangerous in attack but good corner defence maintained our clean sheet and another goal from a corner thanks to a great strike from Olivia extended our lead before the break and at half time we were 2 - 0 ahead. We started the second half on the front foot and another great corner routine saw us go 3 – 0 ahead thanks to a superb strike from Lucy. Altrincham put our defence under pressure but great defending from Beth, Maddie and Amelie together with tackling from Esme at the back frequently won back possession. We went further ahead after good link play between Anna and Katie on the left caused havoc in the Altrincham circle. Amelie L was on hand to force the ball over the line to make it 4 – 0. A hat-trick corner goal from Olivia after another well worked corner routine made the final score 5 – 0. Player of the match was hat-trick heroine Olivia.
The Senior side took to the field against a quick, skilful Altrincham side and were stunned by the fast start of our opponents who scored in the first minute. We took time to settle and had to defend manfully, but Mia, Ellie and Alicia worked hard to thwart the Altrincham attacks. Tara in goal pulled off several superb saves to keep the score to just one. Altrincham attacked at pace and won several attacking corners but solid corner defence kept the ball out and we then enjoyed some possession of our own and started to create chances. Late in the half however Altrincham scored two quick goals and we went into the break with the score 0 – 3. Altrincham started the second half as they did the first with a goal in the first minute. We again re-grouped and good play on the right saw Nyah beat the Altrincham defence and lay a great cross into the circle, but Mille just failed to connect. Lifted by this we raised our game and started to attack with purpose and came close to scoring with three quick efforts on target which bought good saves from the Altrincham keeper. Mille worked hard in midfield and was always available for a pass. We came close again when Prisha linked well with Ziv in the circle, but again her shot flew just wide. Two late goals from Altrincham, one from the last corner of the match saw the final score 0 – 6. Player of the match was Mille for her hard work in midfield.