KGS Hockey Reports - 22 January 2022

Saturday 22 January 2022 - KGS Hockey Reports

1st XI v Austin Friars

The girls hit Austin Friars hard from the first whistle. They were solid at the back, the midfield controlled the tempo of the game creating wave after wave of attack and the forwards caused chaos up front. Three goals from Jess Cole, one goal from Keira Tomes and Captain, Libby Baxter, scored from the penalty spot. A great team performance and a very well-deserved win.

U15 v Wakefield 

The U15 side played away at Wakefield. KGS started the game well using the width of the pitch and sending fast balls to travel up the pitch.  Determined to get a goal, after many attempts Hannah Culshaw made a great run into space and slipped it past the keeper putting KGS up 1-0. After 20 minutes of hard work, KGS started to panic leaving players open in their D which allowed Wakefield to score making it 1-1. KGS had many chances but failed to find a stick in the circle.

During the second half KGS’ fitness got the better of them. Lilly Jones, Grace Tomlinson and Olivia Noblett in defence worked hard to try and stop Wakefield’s fast play. Unfortunately the lack of team support meant Wakefield had more chances and time on the ball putting them 4-1 up at the end of the game.

U14 v Wakefield

The U14 hockey team also travelled to Wakefield to play their first competitive fixture of 2022. From the first whistle, the girls were testing the Wakefield Goalkeeper who was forced to make a number of saves. KGS continued to have the majority of the possession, with some excellent play down the right hand side of the pitch resulting in a brilliant reverse stick finish from Freya Peet to make it 1-0. Within 5 minutes, Wakefield had equalised, taking KGS into half time level at 1-1. In the second half, the KGS girls again, continued to test the GK with a number of saved shots or narrowly missing the goal. With 5 minutes to go, Poppy Dodds used her pace to take the ball around the back and pass to Lola Eccles, making it 2-1. With another brilliant attacking move from the centre, to the left and back to the right, Lola Eccles struck again to gain her second goal of the game: finishing 3-1. An excellent game and a thoroughly deserved win to KGS. 

U13A & B v Wakefield 

The U13A team won 4-1 at Wakefield. In a dominant first half, KGS scored 3 goals from Emily Greenwood, Zara Gilchrist and Alice Bunday. The KGS girls pressed high up the pitch and regularly won the ball back in attacking areas. Niamh Smith took up regularly threatening positions and was unlucky not to score a goal of her own. In the second half, Wakefield fought back with a goal of their own before Zara Gilchrist added her second goal of the game. 

The U13B team came up against a strong Wakefield A/B team and were beaten 7-1. KGS took the lead early on when Jessica Ferrie’s pass was deflected into the goal by a Wakefield defender. After that, Wakefield took control and pressured KGS into defensive mistakes.

Under 12A v Wakefield

KGS were eager to start. From the pushback, the girls worked as a team moving the ball around which lead to an attack allowing the first goal of the game scored by Ophelia Loggenberg. The teamwork continued throughout the game with another two goals followed by Hollie Bailey. The waves of attacked continued with the final goal of the first half for KGS scored by Hermione Edwards. KGS started to tire which allowed Wakefield to secure a goal with the first half - finishing 4-1. KGS started the second half with the attitude to win and Chloe Murro scored another goal. Wakefield fought back with another goal. However, a final goal scored by Hollie Bailey finalised the score with 6-2 win for KGS.

Under 12B v Wakefield

KGS started well on a cold morning, working hard throughout the game, which led to Kirkham’s first goal scored by Evie Mannion. Wakefield continued to battle hard with an end-to-end game, however, a break by the forwards allowed Anna Whittle to score the second goal for KGS and finish the first half 2-nil up. The ball was worked from the back of the pitch, from the defence up to the forwards, talking and supporting the team throughout. The girls continued to work hard allowing more breaks and another two goals scored. The result was a 4-0 win to KGS.