gowertonhockey

Gowerton v Aberystwyth Uni – Captains Report

Posted on March 9, 2017 by gowertonhockey

Wow! The atmosphere for this game was phenomenal.

The guts and determination to win started off in the changing room. Taking on Victoria Vaughan cheerleading experiences the ladies chanted “be aggressive B…. E…. aggressive”, deep down I think this actually worked, as it lifted the spirits of the girls which transferred onto the pitch.

The ladies started off with their usual fight and gave Aberystwyth what for. Putting pressure on them from our starting push back gave them a massive advantage in play. Yes Aber had some good players but the ladies took no mercy and eliminated these players from the start. It was obvious that they didn’t like this and reverted to become the defensive team while the ladies pushed the attack.

After some awesome team work, positive communication and outstanding collaboration from all. It wasn’t long before Nicola tucker secured the first goal. A roar of pride filled the pitch as we went 1-0 up. The usual restart chant of “nil – nil ladies” echoed across the pitch. The ladies went back out with a punch. Eliminating most of Abers attacking play kept us on the front foot for most of the first half. The standard of play and collaboration between the ladies didn’t drop. We were on fire! As play continued it was time to make a change to that score board. Our second goal came from Nicola Tucker in open play taking us 2-0 up. The half time whistle went and I think all the ladies were pleased to have a well-deserved break.

After a well praised half time talk, the ladies were ready to take on Aber again. They knew Aber were going to come out fighting and were ready for it. Taking full advantage of our subs meant that the level of fitness maintained on the pitch, which had a positive effect on the standard of play. The ladies were not ready to give up the fight. Despite their efforts Aber were only able to secure themselves an unsuccessful shot at goal throughout the whole second half. Sorry Amy not much play for you this week.

It wasn’t long before we were treading on Abers toes and in there defending circle. A foul in the D meant we were able to secure a short corner, after having opportunities previously in the match to play around with our short corners we decided to scarp on that and just go for straight strike. A solid injection from Jessica Williams, seen a good strike on goal from top of the D which was then secured by Ria Cannon with a tap on the line. The ladies were 3-0 and ecstatic about it. I’m sorry Aber you may have beat us on your own turf but we were claiming this clean sheet victory.

There were a few players who were potential candidates for captain’s player this week as their graft on the pitch was awesome. Lauren Humphries held strong in defence and track down any open play from Aber forwards eliminating the potential for attack. She also helped keep the ball out of danger through clearing the ball wide (that girl loves a side line). Nicola Tucker was able to put Aber under pressure with good movement up front, which resulted in her securing the first two goals.

However this week I would like to give my captain’s player to a player who had developed so much over the reason and was evident in the way in which she played. She used awesome skill to dodge the Aber players, accurate passing to her team mates and guts and drive in tackles. For these reasons I would like to give my captain’s player to Kellie Melbourne. Well done!

Final score Gowerton 3 – 0 Aberystwyth Uni 1st

Radnor vs Gowerton – Captain’ Report

Posted on February 25, 2017 by gowertonhockey

Another phenomenal win for the ladies again this week. Bare 11 and we smashed it.

We knew it was going to be a tough game physically as we were down to the bare 11, meaning no fresh legs or rests on the side line. However, our determination didn’t waiver to win and it was evident as we came out fighting. From the starting whistle the ladies put Radnor under pressure which soon resulted in a short corner being awarded and a slip to Lauren Humphreys secured us our first goal. A cheer erupted around the pitch, we had actually scored off a short corner and it had been a long time coming. Our spirits were boosted but we continued to play strong with the 0-0 attitude.

Within minutes we were back in our attacking D a strike from Jayde Piontecki, saw the goal keeper stop the ball dead on the line. However, a cheeky jab from Nicola tucker edged the ball over the line securing us our second goal. Play continued to remain strong, all the ladies had bonded and smooth sleek moments of play were displayed continuously in the first half. And not long before the half time whistle, Jayde Piontecki made her return to the club (3 weeks after having baby Sia) a good one by securing the 3rd goal.

A well-deserved rested half time enabled the ladies to recharge their batteries and go smash the second half. It was at this point that we could have really done with some subs. The freaky warm weather didn’t help the situation and I’m pretty sure Ria cannon got sun burnt :p.

The second half was pretty much identical to the first. The ladies smashed it once again, despite being tired they did not give up the fight. Radnor began to run out hard but we still managed to hold them off. Amazing defensive work and awesome saves from Amy enabled this. It wasn’t long again before our amazing forwards were outing the Radnor keeper under pressure again, which resulted in Jayde securing the 4th goal of the match, this girl is on fire! After having a baby, she comes back and smashes it.

As play continued Radnor were able to come back and score their one and only goal of the match, despite Amy being a little disheartened not having a clean sheet the ladies weren’t too concerned as we knew that we could get another one back. And that we did, not just the one but two. Our 5th goal come from Nicola Tucker and out final/6th goal from Ria Cannon.

It was again very hard this week to choose a captain’ player as everyone gave it their all. However, I would like to give my captain’s player to a player that potentially doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. She is always our last bit of hope on the pitch and over the last couple of games, including this one has made some awesome saves, despite the pressure she it put under. For this reason I would like to give my captains player to Amy Hansen. Well done hun.

Final score Gowerton 6-1 Radnor.

Gowerton v Whitchurch Saints 3rds – Captain’s Report

Posted on February 17, 2017 by gowertonhockey

Brilliant win for the ladies this week, nothing but epic play displayed through the whole 70 minutes.

Braving the bitter cold and the welsh weather’s attempt of snow; the ladies were warm and fit to play. Having won the toss it was our first push back and the ladies started as they meant to go on. Not having key players, meant a few girls were out of position but this didn’t faze them. Each lady gave it their all and worked effectively as a team putting Saints 3rds under pressure.

After a good period of open play the ladies deserving secured their first goal. A solid pass to Jessica Williams in the D enabled Jess to give us all the graceful sound of the back board. Despite the goal the ladies didn’t get complacent and continued the fight for the win with our standard 0-0 attitude. Solid passing, one two passing and switching throughout the first half enabled the ladies to keep this pressure on Saints and enabled Jessica Williams to secure another 2 goals from open play.

After a quick half time turn around the ladies were ready to bring it again. And bring it they did! With the advantage of the score difference it encouraged the ladies to be brave enough and trial new things during both open play and short corners and it paid off. With a slip to Paige Hobbs, on a short corner, it enabled her to feed the ball into the D causing Ria Cannon to secure the 4th goal. The ‘can’t score Cannon’ curse was over. With the awesome goal difference the ladies confidently relaxed into the flow of the game and continued to work solidly as a team and demonstrated some slick hockey. Saints had a break which enabled them to skilfully dribble the ball into the D and secure their only goal. This goal didn’t faze the ladies and Jessica Williams secured the 5th and final goal from open play.

For my captain’s player, there was one player who massively stood out to me and I think a few of the girls too. This player gave her all and fought her hardest in every tackle. Her confidence is growing massively which is having a massive positive impact on her game; she was even at one point on the goal line fighting for a goal. Whenever this player goes into a tackle I am 100% confident she will come out with the ball as she doesn’t give up. My captain’s player this week is Rhiannon Simms. You are totally epic babes well done.

Final score Gowerton 5 -1 Saints 3rds

Gowerton V Dinefwr – Captain’s Report

Posted on February 1, 2017February 1, 2017 by gowertonhockey

Well what can I say about this game?!

The first half of this match was intense and Dinefwr came out strong putting us under pressure, but we were determined we weren’t going to take it lying down.

However we gave as good as we got though but unfortunately despite our efforts and hard work, e went 0-1 down as Dinefwr took advantage of a Gowerton mistake, which left a player free and open in the D.

Wasn’t the best first quarter but I suppose we can’t be perfect all the time hey ladies! This result didn’t reflect how we continued to play in the first half. Despite efforts on both parts, neither Dinefwr or Gowerton were able to secure a goal in the second quarter.

After a very constructive and empowered half time talk, from all the ladies we were ready to nail the second half. And that we did!

Dinefwr hardly had a look in, we fought till the end. Set plays, passing and positive communication between the girls were all nailed. The ladies bounded together and worked solidly as a team. Despite a few flared tempers over decisions made the ladies remained united. The majority of the play was in our attacking half, with occasional breaks from one key Dinefwr player. Defence weren’t having that and crushed Dinefwr attempts by feeding the ball through to midfield and up to the forwards.

Though the girls worked tirelessly, with open play and short corners, we were unable to secure a goal. Full time whistle blew, on paper we lost but deep down all the ladies knew that we smashed it!

I may sound biased, but the score definitely didn’t reflect on how we played! After the game the ladies were all on a high, for many different reasons #nocomment! I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls I was on Saturday. This is why I love my team, they don’t take things lightly! Uppagower till the end.

This week captain’s player could have gone to any one of the girls they all gave blood sweat and tears to their efforts in the game. However, one player particularly stood out for me as she gave everything in this game and ensured Dinefwr were not getting passed her without a fight. Her drive and her tackling were on point and she just gave her all to every aspect of the game. And for that reason I would like to give my captain’s player to Rhiannon Simms. Well done!

Final score Gowerton 0-1 Dinefwr

Here are some photos of the match taken by Taylor…

Penarth 2nds v Gowerton

Posted on January 26, 2017January 26, 2017 by gowertonhockey

Gowerton v Penarth 1 – 3 Last Saturday saw us travel to Penarth without our strikers and it was tough. The first half saw us a bit panicky, we didn’t have a formation and were just not marking our players. Penarth’s first goal came from straight in front of the goal, they were bound to score, Amy couldn’t have done anymore. It wasn’t a great goal, but a goal none the less.

I don’t know what was wrong with us. Moral was dipping and we were becoming more and more quiet. Normally we would come back fighting but we continued to struggle with ‘upping the ante. Penarth broke and were in our D again, a cross was placed was from out wide and I swear that I thought I could leave the ball as my player wouldn’t get to it, wrong! She got her stick on it, and it was 2-0 to Penarth. Some dodgy decisions and another goal saw the first half finish 3-0 to Penarth.

Half time talk; it was the usual talk, where everybody wants to put their 50pence in. We didn’t have long as it was a quick turn around (apparently the neighbours aren’t best pleased if the gates aren’t locked by 5pm, what a luxury to have your pitch secure. Note to self- I must ask Penarth how that feels!). Normally I don’t condone negative team talks but on this occasion, we couldn’t fathom up anything positive but we definitely knew what we were doing wrong and what we had to do to try and pull this back.

This team talk worked! Second half saw us gain our structure and our standard GLHC pitch dominance. We were back! No player was left unmarked, and no ball was left not tackled. We were switching the ball through the back and using the ‘one, two’ balls that we do best. We were in their D and fighting! We had a strike at their goal and it was stopped by one their players on the line…

PENALTY STROKE!!!!

This is where my vice captaincy came into play. I could hear our beloved Captain shouting for poor Alison to take the Penalty. I wasn’t having that, so I spoke up ‘Oh captain, take it yourself!!!’ I had every ounce of confidence in her (I think). Up she went. Captain Sanders v Penarth Goalie, one on one.

Whistle…

Goal!

Text book penalty!! Nice one captain.

We carried on playing with our heads high, hoping that we could get some more goals but we just could not finish. We won the second half but lost the game overall. Another honest fight by Gowerton Ladies and all of you who played should be proud of yourselves.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our captain Rachel Sanders for all the work that she does for us. On Saturday she played up front, despite not being comfortable up there and took one for the team when taking the penalty. For that reason I would like to give my vice captains player to our captain Rachel Sanders.

Final score – Gowerton 1 – 3 Penarth.