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BackSun 06 Sep 2020
Southgate U18 Girls
U18 Girls
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U18 Girls take the National Tier 1 Runners Up Spot
Charlotte Repton HC
Concluding a hugely successful indoor and outdoor season for the girls
Eight months after their National Indoor success, our Stratstone BMW U18 Girls headed to Nottingham Hockey Centre on Sunday in an attempt to add the outdoor title to round off their season. Despite an emphatic semi-final win over Reading and a testing preparation fixture with a select XI made up of former players and their friends, the girls began this Final lethargically against a very energetic Southgate team.
Southgate’s intense pressing meant that periods of possession were much lower than in previous games and that chances for both teams came from opponent’s mistakes. Although Southgate were quick on the break, our back-line of Bea Bell and Bronte Brough supported by a team of half-backs ensured that Southgate didn’t have too many opportunities and Erin Franklin was equal to Southgate’s best chance before Lily Walker pulled Repton‘s best first half-effort just wide.
The second half played much the same pattern as the first with an error-strewn game probably making the game more exciting for the neutrals watching on Facebook Live and it was a turnover that allowed Southgate their goal. An excellent interception and run ended with the Southgate midfielder beating Erin with a fine reverse stick strike. With twenty minutes remaining, our girls enjoyed more territory and a great run by Imi Swann couldn’t quite be converted before Claudia Swain rattled the post. With time running out, a hopeful ball in to the circle from Lily Walker was deflected in by Ellie Barlow to take the game to a penalty shoot-out.
The penalty shoot-out saw some great goalkeeping from both GKs and some skilful conversions. Despite having three efforts to take the win, which were well saved, or that whistled past the post we needed to score our attempt to stay alive in sudden death and when Lily was adjudged to have fouled the GK it meant that it was only silver medals for our girls this time.
At the end of a long season the girls should be very proud of a National Gold and Silver Medal and for all of the fantastic hockey they have played throughout. They have been a pleasure to be involved with, especially the departing U18s, who we hope will come back to play for us in the future. A huge thanks must go to Catriona Hatton for her managerial duties throughout the year and the Club Committee for everything they do.
Southgate’s intense pressing meant that periods of possession were much lower than in previous games and that chances for both teams came from opponent’s mistakes. Although Southgate were quick on the break, our back-line of Bea Bell and Bronte Brough supported by a team of half-backs ensured that Southgate didn’t have too many opportunities and Erin Franklin was equal to Southgate’s best chance before Lily Walker pulled Repton‘s best first half-effort just wide.
The second half played much the same pattern as the first with an error-strewn game probably making the game more exciting for the neutrals watching on Facebook Live and it was a turnover that allowed Southgate their goal. An excellent interception and run ended with the Southgate midfielder beating Erin with a fine reverse stick strike. With twenty minutes remaining, our girls enjoyed more territory and a great run by Imi Swann couldn’t quite be converted before Claudia Swain rattled the post. With time running out, a hopeful ball in to the circle from Lily Walker was deflected in by Ellie Barlow to take the game to a penalty shoot-out.
The penalty shoot-out saw some great goalkeeping from both GKs and some skilful conversions. Despite having three efforts to take the win, which were well saved, or that whistled past the post we needed to score our attempt to stay alive in sudden death and when Lily was adjudged to have fouled the GK it meant that it was only silver medals for our girls this time.
At the end of a long season the girls should be very proud of a National Gold and Silver Medal and for all of the fantastic hockey they have played throughout. They have been a pleasure to be involved with, especially the departing U18s, who we hope will come back to play for us in the future. A huge thanks must go to Catriona Hatton for her managerial duties throughout the year and the Club Committee for everything they do.
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