Brighton and Hove Hockey Club's girls under-16 started the new year in style with a 7-1 win over Tunbridge Wells at Blatchington on Sunday in the Home Counties League.

"2020 saw captain Amber P lead this team to a well-deserved victory in the Home Counties League," reports Sue Everton. "Two goals each for Sophie and India (one of which is surely in contention for goal of the season) and a goal apiece for Hannah, Ella and Ines.

"The girls were in good spirits as were their supporters! The Christmas break appeared to have recharged batteries and the match was played at a fast and furious pace. The girls demonstrated their fitness, strength and skills throughout.

"The opposition, whilst well drilled, were beaten by the stronger and more determined team on the day. Thanks to all involved and in particular our umpires Gareth and Hamish."

BHHC Gulls 1
East Grinstead Bluebirds 3

The Gulls battled valiantly against high flying East Grinstead in the Sussex Girls Development League and put on an encouraging display to make their opponents work hard for victory.

"Despite an early lead in the first half, the Gulls were defeated 3-1 by a strong East Grinstead team, who were reinforced by several Sussex Academy players," reports Lynsey Jenner.

"The game started with East Grinstead immediately establishing command of the field as the Gulls were, it seems, still in holiday mode in the opening minutes. Happily, some fine keeping by Alice M prevented several shots from East Grinstead from getting home.

"Hannah S (a Gull last year who is now playing as a forward in the women’s league) sportingly agreed to play sweeper and marshalled Katya W, Evie J and Lara V in defence and together they spoiled the East Grinstead attack time and again with resolute tackling and clearances.

"After about 20 minutes, the Gulls got into a rhythm and began to remember their spacing and started to put together some good passing drives, with Isabelle F at centre-mid and her fellow midfield of Polly P and Maisie W/Daya S (who rotated between back and mid) feeding the Gulls’ forwards - Dina F, Charlie C and Tessa C. Shortly before half time, Charlie C received a pass from Dina F on the left wing and took a shot, which the East Grinstead GK watched as it struck the far post and deflected into goal. So the Gulls went into half time 1-0 up against a rather surprised and exasperated East Grinstead.

"East Grinstead started the second half much as they started the first half and it wasn’t long before they scored the inevitable equaliser. The Gulls weren’t downhearted and were able to mount some beautiful counter attacks from some excellent clearances by their backs, with Dina F sprinting down the left wing and passing to the Connell sisters. But, largely due to some excellent goalkeeping by the East Grinstead GK, the Gulls forwards were unable to get the ball into the East Grinstead net.

"Some 20 minutes into the second half the East Grinstead centre mid (a Sussex player) broke away into the Gulls D and with a tremendous hit struck the ball past the outstretched foot of Alice M, to give East Grinstead the lead 2-1. By now fatigue was setting in and East Grinstead began to dominate the game; maintaining possession in the Gulls’ half and mounting attack after attack.

"Alice M played the game of her life with save after save; and Daya S (then playing at back) saved what appeared to be an almost certain goal with a goal-line block of huge hit. Unfortunately, the East Grinstead dominance in the Gulls’ half wore down the best efforts of Hannah S, Katya W, Lara V and Evie J and East Grinstead scored their third goal (a thunderous smash from a few yards out) about 10 minutes from time.

"With their Sussex players, East Grinstead would have expected to win hands down. What they didn’t expect was that they would have to fight so hard for their win; and the fact that East Grinstead only scored three goals showed, despite their dominance in the second half, how determined the Gulls were not to give in. So the girls should be really proud of their performance, their character and their determination."

South Saxons Bows 6
BHHC Starlings 0

"It was a long trek over to Hastings for the Starlings' first match after the Christmas break and it was a tougher than expected encounter," reports coach Amy Macmillan.

"Once again, I had a mix of experience, from 10-year-olds in their first Saturday match, through to regular players who are 13/14. It was a rocky start and our defence was quickly called into action, with Ayla M in goal making a couple of good saves after the defence was breached. Within 10 minutes South Saxons had strung a number of excellent passages of play together and calmly slotted in two goals, whilst we struggled to keep the ball when we had it.

"As the half went on, everyone grew into the match though. Sophie W, playing sweeper for the first time, found her feet and linking with left and right backs Orla C and Ingrid B, they thwarted a number of South Saxon attacks. When the defence was broken, Ayla was there to keep the ball out. Throughout the rest of the half, we were mostly defending. Well as we did, the forwards worked back helping out the mids, with young Honey B-L in particular making her small presence very known to the older and taller girls in the opposition. On occasion we had a counter attack, but were unable to score. South Saxons managed to put two more past us to make it 0-4 at half time.

"The girls were a little despondent at half time, but they listed to the instructions of going out as if it was 0-0, focussing on what they were doing well, and to just enjoy it ... as well as defending tighter!

And they were a different team in the second half! They put together some excellent passages of attacking play and the defence got much tighter. Young Polly E at centre back kept working hard and improved in every passage of play. Elodie N and Ariana V in midfield were tireless and really helped transfer our defence to attack. Ayla M continued to make many saves and we got to midway through the half having not further conceded.

"As the match progressed Honey B-L continued to work extremely hard and show a hockey mind well beyond her 10 years. She was in the wars too as she tussled with the older opposition and she ended the match sporting a bloody astro burn she'd got through her leggings! Izzy S moved into midfield from forward and did excellently on the right, whilst Lucy M was similarly excellent in the left of midfield. They helped to create a number of chances, but we just couldn't score. 10-year-old Izzy K in her first Saturday match did great, with some excellent movement of the ball and strength on it. Erin C, also made some fantastic runs upfront and the forwards were very unlucky to end to match without a goal.

"As we tired and South Saxons continued to rotate through their TWENTY players providing fresh legs every couple of minutes, unfortunately they got two quick goals, one from a well taken PC strike and one on the counter attack. So it ended 0-6, which really did flatter them given our second half performance. Well done to all, a proud coach again and I was particularly impressed with the attitude of the girls when they were losing and facing a much older team."

BHHC Thunder Under-12 matches

Game 1: Brighton 0 – Burgess Hill 4

"This was a tough game for a young Brighton Under-12s playing an experienced Burgess Hill team," reports Claire Hamburger. "Brighton worked hard all game and were unlucky not to score with Beatrix and Josie combining with Polly and Izzy for a well worked attack.

"The scoreline would have been much larger if it wasn’t for a determined defence from Tilly and Olivia and a string of fantastic saves from our GK Maddison, our girl of the match!

Game 2: Brighton 1 – Eastbourne 5

"The score flattered Eastbourne, who were 2-1 up at half time. Our goal came from Josie’s accurate pass to Eliza who scored our first goal of the day. Eliza worked hard throughout and was the girl of the match."

Game 3: Brighton 2 – East Grinstead 3

"Brighton played some great hockey throughout this game with lots of good chances resulting in two fantastic goals from Josie. Lottie worked hard throughout as our centre mid. Elise did a beautiful run down the wing to pass it into the D to our attack.

"The whole team deserved a player of the match award for this game but that goes to Josie for her goals and to Tilly for her consistently strong defence, watching the ball the whole time.

"We were lucky not to draw this game; EG clipped a last-minute goal right on the whistle which, according to their coach, was very lucky on their part having been the weaker team throughout.

"Well done Brighton! The whole team were smiling all afternoon, enjoying getting back to hockey after the Xmas break."

Reigate Under-14 Boys 0
BHHc Under-14 Boys 6

“With only one fixture for the U14 Boys this Sunday, we were able to field a stronger team away at Reigate,” reports Myles Ford. “Brighton dominated throughout with four goals from Curtis Jackson, one for George Hodgson and a first ever Brighton goal for Ben Mackay.

“Several boys put in strong performances, especially George Graham at left back, Ben Mackay at centre forward and Max Turnbull in an unfamiliar holding midfield role in what was an excellent team performance.”

BHHC Falcons Mercian League Under-12 boys matches

"Brighton's Under-12 Falcons team hosted Tulse Hill and Dulwich and Wimbledon for an afternoon of Mercian League matches on Sunday,winning both," reports Masha Finn. "After their Barcelona tournament success (improving their performance on the previous year), the boys were fired up (by the chocolate and mince pies they have eaten over Christmas).

"It was a slow start in the first match against Tulse Hill and Dulwich. Boys took a while to get in their groove and usual formation. However, as time went on, the speed and accuracy of passes have improved and Falcons won that match 2-1.

"The second match was against Wimbledon, who very obviously travelled to Brighton to win. They started with a strong attack and Falcons had to defend several penalty corners, which they did with great success and resilience. Fraser and Ryley were excellent in defence, Fin was outstanding in goal as always and Jamie and Callum sprinted up and down the pitch with great speed.

"Falcons won the match 4-0. Man of the match goes jointly to Isaac Finn (for some great goals and excellent defence in shot corners) and Stanley Liles (for fast, accurate and strategical passes and for more amazing goals). Great result of two victories (Wimbledon visibly did not expect this to happen!) for the first matches of 2020 for Falcons setting the mood for the year ahead."