Gowerton hockey 1st XI 0 St. John’s Chile 5

8th October 2011Hockey0 comments

Senior hockey show spirit despite defeat.

XI 1af Tregwyr: 0 Sant Ioan, Concepcion, Chile: 6

Gowerton 1st XI: 0 St. John’s, Concepcion, Chile: 6

Gowerton captain Emily Coxon looks to clear her line.

Perfformiad addawol yn yr hanner cyntaf, ond ffitrwydd San Ioan yn ennill y dydd.

Encouraging first half performance, but fitness tells in the end as St. John’s stretch clear.

Gowerton started their season when they entertained the touring St. John’s College from Concepcion in Chile. Miss Lewis had been working hard with the squad in training and attendances had been excellent. The team knew that they faced a very tough test and hockey in all South American countries was very strong, but they were confident that they would be able to give a good account of themselves, and so it proved, although the final score might not have shown that.

Ailsa Howells, Nia Devonald, Julia Hughes, Molly Kabia and Rachel Walsh all look ready for the challenge.

After the ‘push off’, it was Gowerton who had the first attack after good work from Bethany Davies. When St.John’s attacked a ‘stick’ tackle in the home ‘D’ by Emily Coxon conceded a short corner that was well saved by Jayde Anderson. A lung bursting run down the line by Jade Meredith took her to the edge of the visitors ‘D’ but the visitors’ defence held firm.

When St. John’s attacked Emily Coxon, Evie Powe, Katy Baran and Alycia Carpanini all tackled well, whilst when the ball was in the visitors’ half, Hannah Williams and Georgia Davies both looked threatening.

In the 12thminute St. John’stook the lead after Gowerton conceded a short corner and the visitors’ scored with a cross shot.

The game continued to be ‘end to end’ and Millie Little put in another good cross after good midfield pressure by Hannah Breeze-Jones and Georgia Davies had won possession, whilst at the other end, player of the match, Alycia Carpanini, Emily Coxon and Katy Baran all continued to defend well and when they were beaten Jayde Anderson was in outstanding form in goal. The final move of the half saw Hannah Williams set off on a powerful run that resulted in a short corner that the visitors eventually scrambled away and the commitment of the team was epitomized by Jade Meredith, who with the final play of the half took a nasty tumble trying to win the ball.

Gowerton’s Alycia Carpanini was voted player of the match by St. John’s.

At the start of the second half, Gowerton were on the attack straight away. Jade Meredith again burst down the wing and Hannah Williams forced a ‘free hit’ whilst replacements Nia Devonald and Rachel Walsh were both pressing the visitors well.

However, with just over 10 minutes to go St.John’s scored their second goal when Gowerton failed to clear a short corner. With the team starting to wilt physically, St. John’s now took advantage and added a further four goals in the last 10 minutes, which gave the final score line a slightly false impression of how the game had gone. Nevertheless, Miss Lewis declared herself very pleased with the performance and the young team had shown many encouraging aspects to their game which was very encouraging for the future.