Pembroke vs Gowerton – Captain’s Report

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Unfortunate loss for the ladies this weekend, but the score doesn’t reflect the standard of play from the ladies throughout the whole match.

The first half started off really well the ladies were able to hold Pembroke off and picked up the key players early giving us the advantage. The standard of play was high, the game was fast and the pitch was bouncy! Making this a different game to the one we are used to.

Pembroke attacked hard and were able to get into our defending D early into the game but our outstanding defensive play managed to hold them off. As the ladies settled into the standard of play, they began to push forward. Clearing out wide and running it wide meant they were able to get the ball up to the forwards. However, despite showing excellent team work and passing ability, Pembroke were hot on our tails and strong in their defensive play. Flooding the area made it difficult for our forwards to secure a goal. Despite Pembroke’s effort and because of the collaborative work of our ladies, they were unable to secure themselves a goal within the first half.

A constructive half time talk prepared the ladies to go back out fighting for the win. Tactical play and strategies were in place, they were ready to go. The second half’s standard of play was pretty similar to the first, the ladies were pushing the ball wide, defending hard and work collaboratively. This half showed more play within our attacking half. Opportunities came for the ladies to secure themselves goals from short corners and penalties from just outside the D but despite a variety of plays and opportunities, the ladies didn’t get to hear the clatter of the backboard.

It wasn’t long before the ladies were under threat of the Pembroke forwards. A penalty in the D saw Pembroke secure themselves a short corner. A well-structured short corner was made it nearly impossible to save the great goal. Pembroke were 0-1 up.

Despite being a little dis-heartened the ladies still continued to work hard and try and hold Pembroke off, but it wasn’t long before Pembroke were back in the ladies defending D and securing themselves a fantastic second goal from the reverse stick. Both goals were superb and we can’t take that from them.

As play continued the ladies, in true Gowerton style, continued to keep the spirits high and fought for a goal but were sadly unsuccessful. The final whistle went; Pembroke took the win and guaranteed their promotion to the premiership. Congratulations Pembroke!

My captain’s player goes to a player who, like everyone else on the team, worked their socks off. However, they put everything into their tackles and attacking play, taking a battering from some questionable standard of play from Pembroke. This player oozes confidence when on the ball and skilfully drives the ball forward, gaining yards as they go. For these reasons my captain’s player this week is Victoria Vaughan. Well done.

Final score Gowerton 0-2 Pembroke.

Gowerton v Aberystwyth Uni – Captains Report 

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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

Gowerton V Dinefwr – Captain’s Report

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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

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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. 


Congratulations to our former coach Jayde on the birth of her daughter Sia Rose Kilby Parkin! Hurry up back on the pitch please!!


Katie Young

Vice-Captain


Gowerton v Aberystwyth University -Captain’s Report

Posted on by gowertonhockey

Blood, Sweat and Tears. Literally.
Gowerton travelled to Aberystwyth University on 19/11/2016 and played what I can only describe as the gutsiest game of the season thus far!

The pre match warm up, saw the girls get the fire in their bellies for the game that was ahead. We knew it was going to be a tough game and we were determined to kick off the game with a strong start and mentally dominate the game.

The whistle blew and we went out fighting straight away; it took us 10 minutes to settle and to adjust to having players playing out of position in the centre of the field. Then, we clicked and communication was outstanding; the girls were calling their players and we were reading the play really well. Aberystwyth had 2 key players who broke down through the middle of the field, Lauren Humphries had the task of ‘taking out the dutch’ and boy did she do this! Gowerton were unlucky in the first half, which saw us concede a goal. The goal came off a foot from Aberystwyth but was allowed by the umpires. Gowerton did not let this affect their spirits.

Half time talk and there was not an inch of negativity in sight. I could not say anything other than good words to my girls. We were to go back out there fighting.

Half time whistle went. Out the girls went again, fighting for every single ball. Victoria Vaughan and Ria Cannon fought like animals in the mid field, we used the substitutions frequently in order to keep fresh legs in the mid field. Gowerton were switching the ball across the field out to Ffion Morgans, Paige Hobbs, Kellie Melbourne and Rhiannon Simms. After the half time talk the wide mild fielder players used the width to our advantage (Ffion is no longer a defender!). Gowerton pressed on every single free hit that Aberystwyth had, limiting their chances of breaking. Our play seemed to be improving and we were forcing Aberystwyth to make errors.

Midfield sent a ball through to striker Jessica Williams, which saw her receive it on top of the D, she quickly switched it out to Nicola Tucker on the right, which was then directed straight back into Williams in the D, everything went into that goal. The pitch erupted; we were back in the game. (I had a lump in my throat at this point). Text book hockey right there!

Gowerton continued to fight for absolutely everything, no player was left unmarked and no ball was left un-tackled. From the back, I could see how much the girls wanted this. Aberystwyth were strong on the attack, using their key Dutch players to break through, but Amy Hansen was on fire. She was bouncing goals away from her goal, chest saves, the lot! The defensive line; Hannah Preuss and Alison Jones were clearing the balls to the mid field and Rhiannon Simms was like lightening when defending the short corners. DE-FENCE!

Gowerton were unlucky in the second half and we conceded a second goal from Aberystwyth. My girl’s heads dipped for a split second but they went straight back out there and continued the fight against Aberystwyth.

Final whistle and Gowerton had not been able to secure another goal; final score was Aberystwyth 2- Gowerton 1.

Gowerton gathered in the centre of the field. For the first time ever in my hockey life, I was proud despite losing. I could not have asked for anything more from my girls on the pitch during this game. I know how much it meant to everyone and there was not one thing that we could have done more. There were tears, hugs, pile ons and a car crash. We lost but we smashed it!

Gowerton ladies hockey club, I am so proud of you, and to have captained you for this game will stay with me forever.

In light of this, I cannot pick a captain’s player for this game as you all deserve recognition. Thank you.

GLHC for life!

 

 Gowerton v Aberystwyth University – 0-1

Katie Young

Vice-Captain