The AKS U16 hockey team started their season in style with a superb 7 – 0 win against The Grange School, Cheshire in the National Schools Cup competition.
The team got off to the perfect start attacking from the first whistle and winning a corner in the second minute which Charlotte L duly riffled in to the corner of the goal to take us in to an early lead. Lifted by our great start we continued to put pressure on the Grange defence and a brace of goals from Amelia H saw us 3 - 0 ahead after 15 minutes. Grange struggled to keep possession with Sophia M and Lilly G dominating in midfield and Amelia scored her hat-trick goal with another individual effort which she cleverly slotted past the keeper to make it 4 – 0. The team played some superb passing hockey, switching play from one side of the pitch to the other to creating numerous scoring opportunities and we went 5 – 0 ahead when Lucy W drove forwards and found Charlotte L on the wing, her run and pass found Poppy M free in the circle and she duly slotted home. A 6th goal from Rosie L before the break saw us go in to half time well in control.
The second half saw a lot of changes in personnel and positions but everyone played their part and maintained the high level of hockey of the first half. Esther T and Emelie B constantly won back possession when Grange did venture into our defending half and excellent defending by everyone restricted Grange’s efforts on goal. We had to wait until late in the half for our final goal which came when a great pass into the circle from Amelia H found Charlotte L on the right post and she deflected the ball in for her second of the game and our 7th.
The whole team contributed to this great win but players of the match were Sophia M and Amelia H and we now look forward to the next round.
The 1st XI also played their first game of the season against Stonyhurst College and with the U16 playing in their cup match we were delighted to field a team entirely of 6th Formers, many of whom were returning from our superb summer hockey tour to South Africa.
Stonyhurst started strongly and put us on the back foot but great defending from Jess A and Charlotte C along with some great saves from Danni H kept the scores level. As the game progressed everyone gained in confidence and we started to pass the ball to each other more effectively. Connie S linked well with Carly W on the right who used her pace well to out run the Stonyhurst defence and she went close to putting us ahead with only a good save from the Stonyhurst keeper keeping the scores level. The rest of the half saw both side creating chances and more good saves from Danni H ensured we went into the half time break level.
We started the second half on the front foot with Kirtika S dominating midfield and we went ahead in the 8th minute when she found Carly W on the right who again used her pace to get round the back of the Stonyhurst defence and make the perfect pass to Harper C on the left post and she found the net to make it 1 – 0. Our lead however did not last long as Stonyhurst got on level terms 4 minutes later. With the scores level the rest of the game was even with both teams creating chances but it was Stonyhurst who found the net again before the final whistle. Player of the Match was co-captain Jess A.