PUBLISHED 21 September 2019
Another superb Saturday of hockey as 7 teams faced the traditionally strong Altrincham Girls Grammar School and again came out on top with five wins with both the Year 7 A & B teams enjoying good victories in their first competitive match for school.
The AKS U12’s were excited for their first away fixture against Altrincham Girls Grammar School and they made a confident start passing the ball around well and looking to move the ball out wide. We enjoyed most of the attacking play and kept driving through into the circle but in the early stages Altrincham made some good tackles thwarting our best efforts for the first 10 minutes. However Kirtika opened the score line soon after and we went further ahead with Layla scoring a straight strike at a penalty corner. A third goal followed but Altrincham scored just before half time leaving the score at 3-1. In the second half we started to play some superb hockey and attacked in waves taking the ball round the Altrincham players and creating a number of chances . Kirtika was able to score 3 more goals with Laura and Lisa scoring 2 each to make the final score an impressive 9-1 to AKS . Freya tackled extremely well in defence, with Lucy using her speed to attack down the right but the player of the match was Lisa .
It was certainly in at the deep end for the U12B team with all but one of them playing in their first ever hockey match. Undaunted; what they lacked in experience they made up for in determination going into a 2-0 lead with goals from Anya and Scarlett. Altrincham got one back to give AKS a 2-1 lead at half time. The second half saw AKS beginning to understand the importance of playing the ball wide and this led to a further goal for Anya. An equally determined Altrincham side came back to make the score 3-2. With five minutes to go instinctive goal-scorer Anya completed her hatrick to make the final score 4-2 to AKS. All the girls are to be commended on a promising first performance for AKS. Player of the match was Anya who scored three goals in her first ever hockey game.
A large squad of U13 girls played two matches and great performances by both teams resulted in a 1-0 win for the A team squad and a 4-0 win for the B team. Although two good results, what was more pleasing was the adaptability and focus of the girls as they were substituted on and off the pitch, constantly changing positions and roles within short periods of time. This did not seem to disrupt the girls and they were still able to retain the momentum of the game. Both AKS teams dominated play, with the B team utilising their attack scoring 4 goals where as the A team had many short corners and goal scoring opportunities, but found it hard to hit the back of the net.
Although both the AKS A and B teams had much of the possession, Altrincham were unlucky not to score, especially on the counter attack as AKS were caught ball watching rather than marking in defence. Something the U13 squad will need to work on in future training sessions.
AKS players of the match Jessica and Kate both worked tirelessly in attack and defence, chasing back, making crucial tackles and confidently setting up attacking play. There were also top performances from Carley and Katie who won the Altrincham best player accolade.Two great goals were scored one by Carly who followed up a shot at goal and calmly placed the ball away from Altrincham's GK and the other by Zoe who intelligently struck the ball just inside the left post. Well done to all girls, for their enthusiasm and all playing an important part in the squad.
AKS Year 9 returned from lakeside on Friday night after a week’s residential with some very tired limbs, but despite this the U14 squad rose to the challenge of facing a strong Altrincham side and never gave up. Great defending from Esme at CD and Poppy at sweeper kept the Altrincham attackers at bay making for an easy morning for Maddie in goal. In the first half great play on the right from Amelie and Kate saw us dominate play and create a number of chances but last ditch tackles from a determined Altrincham side kept the scores level. We finally got the reward for our possession when a great pass from Lucy found Katie on the left of the goal and she made no mistake in finding the net to take us into a 1 – 0 lead at the break. In the second half great linking play from Kate Maddie and Patsy saw us dominating down the right but again Altrincham defended well. Amelie defended well as left defence and Anna at left midfield showed great skill and perseverance to continue to deliver the ball into the AKS attacking goal and Carys was unfortunate not to extend our lead and at the final whistle the score was 1 – 0 to AKS with player of the match named as Anna.
The U15 side started the game slowly and allowed a determined Altrincham side to go into an early lead after just two minutes. Altrincham attacked at pace and passed the ball well but good defending from Olivia, Imogen , Ellie and Amy broke up their attacks and when they did get shots on target Eva made some good saves. Ellie , Freya and Nyah worked hard to defend from the front but good play from Altrincham saw them go into the break 3 – 0 ahead.
We started the second half on the front foot with Laura linking well with Nyah on the right to create our first chance but the ball just failed to find an AKS stick in the circle. Altrincham then enjoyed a lot of the ball and slack defending saw them go further ahead with three quick goals, one from a well worked deflected corner. Undeterred we kept working hard and got reward for our efforts when a great run and cross from Laura bought a save from the keeper but Nyah was on hand to pick up the rebound and find the top of the net to make the final score 1 – 6. Player of the match was Laura for her driving runs on the right.
The AKS senior side made a great start against an extremely talented Altrincham team taking the game to the opposition and attacking well down the right with Mille using her pace well. Altrincham were quick to attack, however AKS defended very well with Anna excellent as sweeper, making crucial tackles to thwart the Altrincham attacks. With Altrincham passing the ball well we worked hard but they eventually got reward for the possession they enjoyed and took the lead after 15 minutes. Altrincham were lifted by the goal and they went into the half time 3-0 in the lead. AKS continued to battle into the second half and had some moments of putting Altrincham under pressure in attack, Tara was on top form keeping many shots out of goal. The final score was 5-0 to Altrincham. Anna was the player of the match for her superb defending.