Under 16 Girls

EH Cup vs Wimbledon 1-0 (7 November)

Scorer: Megan Swift

Conditions were perfect for the cup match against Wimbledon at Bar End. Winchester started slowly and had to repel a run of short corners in the first quarter of the match before gaining confidence to break into the Wimbledon half. The girls had several chances towards the end of the first half, including a beautiful flick by Lucy into the top corner of the goal that struck the post, leaving us 0-0 at halftime.

Winchester made a quick break at the start of the second half, with excellent work by the midfield to slip the ball back to Megan who tapped it in to the goal. Winchester continued to apply pressure with the Wimbledon keeper sent off briefly for kicking outside the D. However, despite a string of short corners they were unable to capitalise on the goalie’s absence. A strong team effort then followed with plenty of running, tackling and covering from the midfield and defence as Wimbledon tried to fight back. The girls worked hard for their well-deserved 1-0 victory.

A special mention must go to the girls who had also stepped up to play in the morning match at Basingstoke (Chloe, Lucy, Jemima, Megan, Eva, Phoebe) and to Neil for a whole day of coaching (and probably losing his voice by the end of the day!)

Players of the match: Chloe Ramsay and Jemima Sullivan.

U16B vs Basingstoke 2-1 (7 November)

The U16 girls played away to Basingstoke in typical autumnal chilly conditions. Winchester showed industriousness and energy as always. Both sides had chances very early on with both sets of keepers kept busy.

Basingstoke pulled off goals early in both halves to pull to a 2-0 lead but Winchester, after much hard work, pulled one back with a cracker from a well-worked short corner routine. With their tails up and working for the equaliser, Winchester pushed hard but were denied by some determined defence.

Written by Kwamena Amonoo-Kuofi.

vs Bournemouth 8-2

Scorers: Megan Swift (3), Lucy Smith, Jemima Sullivan, Elizabeth Williams, Lexi Montgomery, Phoebe Pryde

The girls faced Bournemouth without their keeper due to a late injury, which meant a high press and lots of hard work was needed to keep Bournemouth out of their D. Winchester started quickly, putting pressure on the Bournemouth defence and it rapidly paid off with a deflection at the back post for Megan to start the scoring. From the restart Winchester midfield worked hard to keep the ball in the Bournemouth half, with Jemima, Phoebe and Georgie protecting the middle and Lucy and Eva getting the ball down the line quickly resulting in a goal for Lucy and another for Megan. Bournemouth kept fighting and won a short corner at the end of the half which was squeezed in at the post.

3-1 up at half time and unfortunately we lost Zara to injury so it was down the 11 girls on the pitch to finish the job. Bournemouth started stronger and made plenty of work for Izzy, Tilly, Lizzy and Tilly in defence, eventually a break away on an empty goal resulted in a goal to make it 3-2. The girls worked really hard now to regain control with lots of tracking back and committed tackling until some neat passing started to create gaps and eventually three goals in quick succession for Jemima, Lizzy and Lexi. Bournemouth seemed to have run out of ideas and in the final couple of minutes a clever pass from Lexi to Meg set her up to nutmeg the keeper for her hat-trick. Lastly Phoebe managed to get on the score sheet with nice deflection past the onrushing keeper.

Under 14 Girls

vs Salisbury - 6-0 (7 November)

Scorers: Amelie Carter (3), Poppy Russell (2), Millie Morgan

The Winchester U14 girls were definitely up for a good match against Salisbury when they turned up on a bright Sunday at Bar End. A strong start from the girls as they kept attacking forward ended in a goal straight in the corner by Amelie Carter. The good play continued and some amazing defensive effort gave Salisbury no chance of getting near Winchester's goal. Poppy Russell scored Winchester's second goal and this was shortly followed by another goal from Amelie Carter to conclude an excellent first half. After a good half time to review our tactics and top up energy levels with oranges and sweets, the girls jumped on the pitch keen for an amazing second half… which it was.

Winchester carried straight on with a goal by Poppy Russell after five minutes, followed by another goal just one minute after from Amelie Carter. The defence kept their composure as Salisbury moved their way down the pitch and an amazing save by Tilly Shewry kept a clean sheet. Great teamwork passing around the wings led the girls to their sixth goal from Millie Morgan. Players of the match were Arabella Crompton and Bea Eaton.

A fantastic match ended 6-0 with some amazing teamwork, attacking and defending continuing to show how strong this team is. Great win!

Written by Millie Morgan.

vs Alton - 3-0 (7 November)

Scorers: Erin Gately (2), Emily Thomas Machleidt

Winchester hosted Alton for their second match of the day. The Alton team started off well with all players showing impressive skills. The Winchester girls did not disappoint and proved to be a great match for them. Emma Williams and Sophie Baker defended the goal well with Tilly Shewry making some great saves. Winchester picked up the ball well and showed amazing skills with brilliant passing to get into their attacking end. This resulted in two fantastic goals from Erin Gately in the first half to give Winchester a great head start. At half time the girls took on some sugar during the team chat to keep the energy levels up for the second half. Again neither side disappointed with well-matched play. More great work from the Winchester defence and with a third goal from Emily Thomas Machleidt, Winchester managed to secure a fantastic win. All our girls played amazingly well and their skills and great team work paid off.

After the game we had to vacate the pitch straight away for another game to start and in the rush both teams forgot to appoint players of the match, although did have time for a quick three cheers for each team!

Written by Connie Wakely.

vs Andover - 2-0

Scorers: Belle Hurren, Isla Stavonhagen

Winchester got off to a strong start. The team drove the ball down the wings, using the space and communicating well to score two goals early on in the first half. The second half was more evenly matched as the Andover defence increased and the Andover goalie’s efforts stopped Winchester extending their lead. Shout out to Winchester goalie Tilly Shewry who made some amazing saves which helped secure a Winchester win. A great game and another win for the U14 girls. Players of the match were Tilly Shewry and Belle Hurren.

Written by Erin Gately.

Under 14 Boys

U14B vs Bournemouth - 8-2 (7 November)

Scorers: Will Graydon, Tom Nolan (3), Bertie Lander, George Brunt, Ed Swift and Oscar Kipps

A mixed A/B team squad travelled to Bournemouth, in the end without a goalkeeper (because of late family bereavement), but were indebted to the help of some younger members of the A squad to make up a combined side. Playing without a GK was a strange encounter for the Winchester boys and in a way it was no surprise that the hosts took the lead from a good left wing move to shoot into an open goal!

The young Bournemouth side contained many quality U12 players with a few A squad players to assist and together they played a very constructive game. In an end-to-end game the match play was quite even in possession, as the visitors struggled to use the full width of the pitch and were very slow to adjust to having no goalkeeper. However, by half time the score had reached an exciting 2-2 score line.

Winchester playing down the slight slope in the second half gradually started to gain slightly more possession but still tended to play down on one side of the pitch only which meant their attacks were often easily halted by the time they reached the 23 metre line, in the hosts’ half. They eventually broke through to take the lead and indeed extend to the score to 4-2 in still a very close game.

A subtle change in formation in the last 10 minutes of the match to give some of the three Winchester debutants a chance to try different positions turned out to be a masterstroke, as suddenly Winchester used both flanks wisely against a now fast tiring young host team. This tactic opened the flood gates to enable four well-constructed Winchester goals, without reply. That gave the visitors a flattering score line in a game where the hosts played some very easy-on-the-eye hockey, until the point that tiredness crept in. However, it was very pleasing to see the Winchester Sunday hockey debutants play so well and there are several more players in the group to still come into the side to join them.

Under 12 Girls

U12B vs Romsey

The U12 girls Bs had an important match to be top of the league. Romsey started strong and put pressure on to score quickly. As the Winchester girls got into the game they started to make some lovely combinations and created various chances, equalising not long after with a great finish by Daisy.

At half time there was a quick change in goal as Lara was feeling unwell, so Ella volunteered to put the kit on. For only her second time in goal she made some great saves, however Romsey were the more confident side in the second half and took control over the match; unfortunately for the Winchester Girls they converted two more goals. Winchester continued to have a few close chances but were unable to find the back of the net.

Romsey were clearly a more experienced, older side and the girls took a lot of lessons from this game. They can't wait to meet them again later in the season and despite this loss they are still sitting second in the league.

U12C vs Southampton - 7-0

Scorers: Isla (3), Emma (3), Thea (1)

The U12 girls Cs had two league matches and the first saw them take a great victory against Southampton. The dominant 7-0 victory was based on a relentless attack up the right wing combined with fluid and active passing. The victory represented great teamwork with accurate shots on goal.

U12C vs Romsey 6-0

Scorers: Isla (2), Rosanna (1), Emma (4)

The Cs consolidated their win over Southampton with another very convincing win over Romsey. The match showcased some text book play that cut through the Romsey defence. The match was underpinned by superb team play by Winchester that hugely paid off for this capable Winchester side. The game ended in a 6-0 win meaning the girls have moved up significantly up the league.

Winchester Hockey Club Oracle Edition 25