U16 Boys

vs Trojans - 1-2

Scorer: Will V

An incredibly close and hard-fought game was ultimately decided in the final minutes of this absorbing match between two closely matched teams. Tight matches have been the standard fare for the U16 boys this season, and Winchester have been on the wrong end of several of them. The boys are probably sick of the coaches telling them its character-building and will make them more resilient in life!

Winchester started slowly, uncharacteristically giving several balls away when trying to play out from the back, and this gifted Trojans several early chances that Ollie dealt well with, making some important saves. Midway through the first half Trojans did break the deadlock with a scrappy goal from a short corner. Half-time came with the score still 1-0 but Winchester were starting to show signs of their ability to put together passages of play and to exert some control. This continued in the second half, and with Tom starting to influence the game, Winchester were now the more threatening. After a series of short corners, Will V reacted quickest to a loose ball to calmly slot home the equaliser.

As the game reached its conclusion, things became more open. Both sides were pressing for the winner and, with Rory now rampaging down the right, Winchester looked the more likely to score. There was one final twist though as the game flipped on its head with two minutes to go when both Rory and Tom were controversially carded, leaving the remaining nine players to hang on for a draw and take the game to a shoot out. Sadly it was not to be as Trojans created one last chance, well finished a matter of seconds before the final whistle.

U12 Girls - Purples

vs Reading B - 2-4

The U12 Purples team faced a new and unknown Reading B team at home on Sunday. They had come without a keeper which our girls initially felt would be an advantage to us, but soon realised that getting through seven strong outfield players was going to be tough and require them to hold a good shape and pass the ball early. Each of our attacks was met with very solid, technically good tackling followed by a quick attack from Reading up their right wing, which felt like the dominant theme of the game and resulted in their first two goals to go 2-0 up.

The Winchester girls worked incredibly hard in tracking back and regaining possession, but despite great efforts all through the midfield they just couldn’t penetrate the D often enough. A confident third quarter from the purples and some tireless battling in the midfield area resulted in two goals to even the score, however Reading noticeably upped the pace of their right wing attack in the final quarter creating difficulties for our defence and they scored their third and fourth goals in quick succession. It was a well contested, close game, with lots to learn and to take into next Sunday’s rematch up at Reading.

U12 Girls - Blacks

vs Reading A - 1-2

A frosty start with bright sunshine met Reading following their early journey to Hampshire for 45 mins of 7-a-side IntoHockey. This was a tight and well fought game with two evenly matched sides. Showing strong positional nous, Reading’s clearly maintained team-shape made for a super challenge for the Blacks. The home team made strong circle entries with the ball under control but the Reading defence kept them at bay for a long time. Several back post chances came and went, while positive shots on goal were repelled. Reading had their moments too but Eleanor in goal looked confident in her many clearance kicks and Reading’s forwards slightly blunt in their shooting. Evie and Rosie at the back found a solid Reading press more difficult to progress the ball through, but still achieved this regularly. Ball pace and early passing quickly worked out as key. Winchester put many good flowing and passing attacks together, Caroline, Imogen, Scout and Jemima all showing strong team awareness at times. Darcey led the line well, fighting hard for progression while also leading the Winchester press with quick defensive positioning.

Sadly Reading created two overloads on the back post in the last third of the match to score identical goals, passing around Eleanor. Winchester, unused to being behind, drove forwards and, in one of several strong right wing plays, Caroline scored a customary hard hit to narrow the loss, very close to the final whistle. Overall a very close game once again, and had Winchester taken their chances the win was within their grasp. Winchester travel to Reading aiming to resolve this on 9 Feb.