Gowerton V Dinefwr – Captain’s Report

Posted on 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…

 

 

 

Whitchurch 3rds v Gowerton – Captain’s Report

Posted on by gowertonhockey

A well deserved win this week for the ladies. All thanks to their outstanding play. 

Losing the toss, the ladies were put on the back foot with Whitchurch attacking from the start. However, this week the ladies clicked from the start and showed no mercy. Through excellent communication and amazing team work, the girls managed to hold Whitchurch off and turn the game in their favour fairly quickly. The ladies worked the ball through the defence and midfield through text book 1-2 passes feeding the ball up front to the forwards. From this the ladies were able to secure themselves a short corner. Despite a solid strike from Hannah Preuss a goal wasn’t to be. However due to the fault of Whitchurch the ladies gained another short corner. Still no goal. Not long after another short was awarded and from the rebound of the initial strike Jessica Williams secured the ladies their first goal. We were 1-0 up and spirits were high. 

Due to continued outstanding play, man marking and effective communication the ladies continued to show impeccable play. Despite Whitchurch’s attempts within the D and short corners they were unable to equalise with the ladies before the half time whistle.

After fairly light hearted half time talk, focusing on the positives the ladies were ready for action again. The ladies just kept going from strength to strength maintaining to put Whitchurch under pressure and put them on the back foot. However, Whitchurch came out determined from the start and gave the ladies a greater challenge. After some effective open play and a break down the line Whitchurch secured themselves an equaliser. The ladies took this on the chin and continued to attack hard. Continuing to demonstrate solid teamwork and constructive passing the ladies remained strong. With a run down the line from Hannah Preuss was able to to give  Jessica Williams a great assist for her second goal putting the ladies 2-1 up.  

The ladies were eager to hold onto this lead and through the remaining strong, that they did. Not only did they hold on to it, they smashed it! Jessica Williams was on fire, not happy with just her two goals she decided she would gain another two both from open play. Must have been all that birthday cake she demolished from celebrating her birthday on Thursday. 
All the girls played well on Saturday and deserved the win. However there was one player that really stood out for me this week. This player gave her all and put Whitchurch under pressure and made some awesome plays and passes throughout the game. Her tackling was strong along with her work ethic. My captain’s player this week goes to Paige Hobbs.
I would also like to thank Kelly Melbourne for helping us out massively and stepping in goal for the first time.



Final score Gowerton 4-1 Whitchurch  

Gowerton v Brecon – Captain’s Report

Posted on by gowertonhockey

Wow! What a win for the ladies this Saturday. 

The first half the girls started out strong, showing lovely one two passing, triangles and switching round the back. I felt the girls went into the game with confidence but also remained relaxed which showed in the way in which they played. After dominating the game from the start it wasn’t long before the first goal came. This boosted the girls even further making them eager to get another goal, which came shortly after. There were times in which Brecon put us under pressure but awesome man marking, communication and control within defence prevent Brecon from scoring. More pressure on Brecon defence meant that the ladies were able to score another 3 goals, taking the half time score to 5-0. 

This awesome goal lead took the pressure of the girls going into the second half, but they were still aware that they needed to put in the work in order to hold Brecon off. During the second half the girls’ standard of play remained solid. They continued to use short sharp passes, passing into space for Jessica Williams and Nicola Tucker to run onto up front and tight man marking eliminating the possible passes for Brecon. Excellent communication within our defensive half helped maintain this standard in terms of man marking and clearing the ball up the pitch. Both Jessica Williams and Nicola Tucker continued to put the Brecon defence and keeper under pressure securing another 4 goals for Gowerton. The ladies secured themselves a short corner in the second half in which Cath Fuge was able to secure the ladies another goal. During the whole match the goal scorers were Jessica Williams with 5 goals Nicola Tucker with 4 goals and Cath Fuge with 1 goal. 

This week I felt all the girls played very well making my decision for Captain’s player difficult. However I would like to give my Captain’s player to Kelly Melbourne for her awesome effort I goal and keeping a clean sheet. I felt Kelly played well making some awesome saves even though she hasn’t had any practice in goal. Well done Kelly. 

Final score Gowerton 10 – 0 Brecon 

Captain’s Report – Penarth 2nds v Gowerton

Posted on by gowertonhockey

This week it was so nice to actually play hockey without getting soaked by the rain. Going up with 11 and a half players (Rhi was only available first half) and no goal keeper the odds were against us. But that never stopped the ladies drive and determination. Thankfully Ria Cannon stepped up to the plate and went in goals, despite her nerves she smashed it! 

The first half was very frustrating as we just seemed all over the place. Penarth played the middle well meaning the midfield had their work cut out. Despite opportunities and short corners in our attacking area we were unable to secure a lead goal. Not long into the first half penarth took their chances and secured themselves a 1-0 lead over the ladies. This didn’t drop our spirits but made us more determined to get one back. 

After a good half time talk led by Ffion Morgans the girls came out striving for the win. After much battling Jess Williams took the ball into our attacking circle and into the back of the goal making the score 1-1. The ladies demonstrated some lovely one twos thought the whole game and defended well when needed, frustrating penarth as they were unable to achieve the win. 

This week my captains player was a no brainer. It takes a lot of courage to get that goalie kit on and step into goal having not done it before or even had a training session to help. I felt Ria took the responsibility on well and gave it her best shot. Well done Ria you literally saved us.

Final score Gowerton 1-1 penarth 2nds