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BHHC under-16 girls put on five star show against Tunbridge Wells

BHHC under-16 girls put on five star show against Tunbridge Wells

David Chappell13 Nov 2019 - 15:00
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Juniors girls review - Starlings beat league leaders Eastbourne 5-1

"What a cracking game, and great team effort." Brighton and Hove girls under-16s' second match as a new team in the Home Counties League brought a well deserved 5-2 win over Tunbridge Wells at the weekend, reports Julia Davis.

"After observing a minute’s silence, the girls started off strongly with quick short passes and excellent attacking formations along the right and left, with Millie, Alice, Tilly and Olivia in defence pressing up high to put pressure on the opposition.

"The mids Amber, Ines and Marianna worked hard blocking passes and running the ball up the line to Ted and Hannah with strong passes to Sophie and each other across the D. It wasn’t long before one of Ted’s passes resulted in our first goal, scored by Ines, followed by two further goals by Marianna and Amber in the first half.

"The girls organised themselves quickly in the corners (attacking and defending), with Olivia injecting beautifully and putting pressure on the defending opposition players before sprinting back to her position in defence. Alice’s sprints from the back line helped stopped the opposition from scoring from the corners.

"The mids and defence had a tough job marking three excellent opposition players, who kept switching positions trying to cause confusion in the attacks. With Jess directing from goal and saving numerous dangerous shots, we managed to concede only one goal in the first half.

"The opposition came back strongly in the second half and Millie, Tilly and Alice, supported by Olivia and Amber faced some tremendously fast counter-attacks, which kept goalie Jess busy and on her toes. The opposition managed to score an excellent goal to bring the score back to 3-2.

"After a couple of missed chances at goal in our counter attacks, Hannah managed to score our fourth goal from the left post, controlling a strong pass across the goal. Soon after Sophie powered in our final goal putting us 5-2 ahead.

"The tempo was fast and the girls did not stop working until the final whistle and showed evidence of great fitness and determination all round, with good communication on the pitch and encouragement to one another.

"Big thanks to our captain, Amber, and Atlanta who stepped in as sub for her injured sister India. Our next match is on Sunday November 17, which is a cup game against Guildford at home (push back 11.15). Promises to be another exciting game and it will be lovely to see club members supporting the girls."

The Starlings ventured to a late match at Eastbourne after their half term break, to face the unbeaten, top of theSussex Girls Development League Chicks team and defied the elements to win handsomely 5-1.

"We knew the weather wasn't going to be great, but wow, it was spectacularly wet! In 25 years of hockey, these were some of the worst weather conditions I've ever experienced," reports Amy Macmillan.

"Drenched to the bone before the start, my starting 11 intrepid girls were absolutely fantastic and two other players, also not put off by the weather, arrived when they could after other sporting commitments.

"Eastbourne admittetly were missing a few key players, but the match started fairly even, with both teams exchanging early attacks. It was the Starlings that took hold of the match as time went on though and when year six debutant Honey Batchelor-Lyons put us 2-0 up with two excellently taken goals in the first half, we never really looked like losing.

"Throughout the match, we were on top and restricted Eastbourne to counter attacks. All of which were no match for under-12 GK Ayla, who made a handful of great saves and the rest of the defence - stand in sweeper Isolda (usually a forward), Olivia, Ingrid and Sophie - were all solid throughout, read the game well and distributed some great passes.

"The mids too were strong, with Emily, Orla Colwill, Tia and Ariana all contributing in both attack and midfield, helping to create chances for the forwards.

"Eveyone's hard work paid off when Izzy Smith slotted home early in the second half to make it 3-0. The Chicks did manage to get one back after a slight mix up in our defensive D, but the Starlings were not perturbed and kept attacking, with under-12 forwards Lara and Honey, as well as under-16 Izzy, never stopping making runs and getting in fab positions.

"With the match all but won and the arrival of sister Maelona, I switched sweeper Isolda upfront and within a minute she made it 4-1 and then within another five she completed her brace to make the final score 5-1. Maelona took an unfortunate knock to the eye during her brief cameo, but I'm pleased to report she's OK and thanks to her and her Mum coming over for the second half in case we needed her.

"I cannot express how proud I was of all 13 girls who played in the horrendous weather conditions, and they did so without a word of complaining and with smiles on their faces. And big thanks to the parents too for safely navigating the treacherous drive and for getting soaked supporting us!"

An exciting and nailbiting game at Christ's Hospital on Sunday proved that the Brighton and Hove under-12’s team is a force to be reckoned with against a Horsham team they were defeated by only 12 months ago. BHHC won 4-1.

"The girls started off on the right foot with good early possession in the first quarter," reports Rachel Hepburn. "After an early goal attempt by Grace, a short corner for Horsham was foiled by Isolda demonstrating early tenacity driving the ball outside of the D. After another attempted goal by Erin, Gracie’s goal-keeping set the pace with a display of solid defence against the home team.

"The second quarter saw our first goal and some great teamwork as the girls quickly lined up their victory as Isolda passed to Lara, who then forwarded to Grace, back to Isolda who shot a clear goal. The girls fought hard on their defence and some great tackling by Lucy, with another failed attempt from Horsham followed by a short corner. Horsham flipped the ball but the pressure from Brighton meant they missed. With several lovely long runs with the ball by both Orla and Lara and a quick steal of the ball from Erin, the defence against Horsham continued.

"After a re-group at half time, the third quarter saw Horsham’s first goal as they stepped up their game. The fourth quarter continued to show promise for Brighton. With some strong forward play, Grace had an opportunity to pass in the D to Erin who swiftly then scored a second goal for Brighton. A short corner for Horsham was kicked out again by Gracie and with some quick movement up to goal end and long passes from Charlie, the girls lined up with Lara scoring a third goal.

"With minutes to go before the final whistle, a short corner for Brighton saw another quick manoeuvre between the girls as Isolda passed to Grace, then to Lara, back to Isolda who scored her second and the team’s fourth goal of the day.

"With some great pitchside management from Clarie supported by Sorcha and Claire and plenty of placement swaps ensuring the girls had the opportunity to shine and appreciate different positions, the jubilant team walked away with a well-deserved final score of 4-1 to BHHC. Coaches player jointly going to Erin and Lucy and Player’s Player awarded to Lara."

The previous week the BHHC under-12 girls (Lightning) triumphed in triple league matches winning 6-0, 5-0 and 4-0.

"An exciting first match against Lewes 2 saw the opposition start strong with a lot of action in their D but we defended well and Ayla kept the ball out of goal with some brilliant kick outs," according to reports . "A lovely tackle from Daisy, long run by Charlie and pass to Erin who took us 1-0. Our girls continued with some strong teamwork with great tackles and passes from Honey and Lara then three short corners back to back led to two lovely goals from Charlie, who took the was well positioned at the post for strong passes from Lucy and Orla. We were 3-0 at half time!

"Seconds into the second half a short corner saw lovely passes between Erin and Tessa for a clean fourth goal. Tessa scored another from a strong Daisy pass and then a hat trick taking us to 6-0. Lewes fought back in the final minutes but Ayla was fierce in goal and let nothing in! Girl of the game: Lucy for her speed and consistent efforts.

BHCC carried on where they left off with another dominant performance against Burgess Hill - eventually running out 5-0 winners. The BHHC team started strongly with a couple of quick chances after good work down the right wing by Lara and Lucy and then a mazy run out of defence by Orla and a dangerous cross from Charlie. After a period of pressure from BHHC, Lucy scored the first goal with a superb finish from the left hand side of the D into the far corner of the Burgess Hill goal.

"BHHC continued to apply pressure and another fine run and then a cross from Orla led to a close range finish from Charlie to put BHHC 2-0 up. Lara and Honey continued to break up opposition play and start BHHC attacks from midfield - with Daisy, Charlie, Tessa and Erin combining well up front - with the pressure leading to a succession of short corners for BHHC before half time.

"In the second half, BHHC were again on the score sheet with Daisy grabbing a quickfire brace after good work on the right wing from Lara and Lucy to take the score to 4-0. The game continued to ebb and flow with most of the attacking pressure coming from BHHC - as Ayla marshalled the BHHC defence and midfield to snuff out openings for Burgess Hill.

"Amid continued attacking play by BHHC, a final short corner resulted in a fine pass from Orla to Erin whose first-time slapshot was well saved by the Burgess Hill keeper - before Charlie pounced to smash away the rebound for 5-0. A very good performance all round from the BHHC team! Girl of the game: Charlie for her tactical positioning.

"The third match against Lewis 1 got off to a solid start - straight into a short corner. A great pass from Erin to Orla who flicked the ball across the goal to Lucy, well positioned on the post to score the first goal. Our girls continued to dominate in their D, with several attempts at goal.

"Lewes stepped up to do some great defence work. Charlie took two corners which led to two more goals - the first Tess passed back for Charlie to score and the second to Lara who scored from the back of the D to finish the first half 3-0.

"The second half started with more shots at goal from Lucy and Charlie. Then Lewes started to put our defence under more pressure. The Brighton girls defended well, Ayla saved some goal attempts, Honey and Daisy did some fantastic clearing shots followed by superb passes from Erin and Orla. The team really gelled and were a delight to watch. The final goal of the tournament was from Tess making the score in this last match 4-0. Girl of the game: Erin C for her positioning her up the wing.

"The girls were a delight to watch and their hours of practice really showed. They used the space well and worked hard as a team. A fantastic result! Overall in all the matches a big shout out to Ayla, who played brilliantly and saved every goal that was put to her."

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