Under 16 Girls

Match Report

A fantastic afternoon for the Slaz U16 Girls, who produced an excellent all-round hockey performance to secure a convincing 4–0 win and a well-deserved clean sheet.

From the first whistle, Slaz looked organised and positive, using a triangle through midfield to create passing options and help play the ball out from the back. The girls moved the ball well, looked to use the width of the pitch and worked hard to win possession back when it was lost. The first quarter saw Lauren, Mollie, Amelia and Matilda particularly effectively in midfield, driving forward with the ball, making themselves available for passes and putting the opposition under pressure. Slaz created several opportunities, and the pressure eventually paid off when Amelia converted a short corner to give Slaz a 1–0 lead.

The girls continued to press high and look for openings, with Amelia adding a second goal following another strong attacking move. Jess, Katie and Izzy were excellent at using the width, providing passing options down the channels and linking well with the midfield. At the other end, Matilda, Katie and Georgie worked tirelessly to protect the defensive D, making important tackles and interceptions and helping Slaz transition quickly from defence into attack with Emily, making her debut as GK, clearing any stray balls with ease.

The opposition were putting plenty of pressure on the Slaz defence at times, creating some good battles for possession. The triangle shape was particularly useful when Slaz were under pressure, giving the player on the ball options to either play forward or recycle possession and work their way out. There were a few passes that went slightly too far or were intercepted, but the girls responded well and continued to look for the next pass rather than becoming frustrated. Slaz finished the first quarter 2–0 ahead, having shown excellent teamwork, determination and attacking intent.

The second quarter continued in much the same way, with Slaz battling hard for possession and putting the opposition under sustained pressure. Ruth, Amelia, Georgie and Mollie were relentless in their work rate, while Lauren provided excellent support and communication through midfield. The girls continued to use their triangle effectively, moving the ball through Katie, Izzy, Etta, Amelia, Mollie and Georgie, while Matilda and Cerys worked hard to win the ball back and keep the pressure on.

The opposition continued to press, but Slaz responded with some excellent passing combinations and determined defensive work. Ruth had already come close on several occasions and eventually found the breakthrough she was looking for, finishing well to make it 3–0. Slaz didn't let up, and Cerys soon added a fourth following some excellent build-up play from Matilda and a superb cross from Amelie which found Cerys waiting at the far post to score!

4–0!

Communication remained a big focus throughout, with Lauren encouraging the girls to keep talking, calling for the ball and supporting the player in possession. There were some excellent interceptions, tackles and passing moves from Izzy, Ella, Mollie, Amelia, Amelie and Tilda as the girls continued to work for each other.

The girls went into the half-time break 4–0 ahead, having controlled large parts of the game and created plenty of opportunities. The third quarter was a different challenge as the opposition came out strongly and applied plenty of pressure. The game became more scrappy, with both teams battling hard for possession and Slaz having to work particularly hard without the ball. Katie and Amelia looked to play through the midfield triangle with Lauren, while Katie, Matilda and Georgie worked tirelessly to win possession back and stop the opposition progressing towards the Slaz D.

Jess produced an excellent interception and carried the ball down the line before the opposition managed to regain possession. Matilda and Katie then combined well before finding Mollie, who carried the ball down the channel and linked up with Ella and Jess. The three worked well together, moving the ball forward and looking for a route into the opposition D, although the opposition defence continued to disrupt Slaz's attacks. Matilda was outstanding defensively, repeatedly reading the play and recovering possession. When the opposition were awarded a short corner, she was alert to the restart and intercepted the ball to prevent the danger developing.

Slaz continued to build attacks through Katie, Mollie and Ella, with Lauren working hard in midfield to link defence and attack. Georgie also put in a huge shift down the line, winning possession and helping Slaz regain territory. Another opposition short corner followed, but Amelia was switched on and intercepted the ball before clearing the danger. The intensity continued to rise, resulting in a collision between Amelia and an opposition player. Amelia took the opportunity to send the ball high upfield and relieve the pressure. Ruth came on for Ella and immediately got involved, while Izzy produced another excellent interception and linked with Georgie and Matilda as Slaz looked to play through the opposition press.

Slaz continued to battle for every ball. Amelia and Ruth created another opportunity in and around the D, with Amelia getting the ball across goal, only for the opposition keeper to make the save. Mollie, Jess and Ruth continued to compete for possession, while Matilda and Mollie combined brilliantly inside the D to prevent another opposition attack. Slaz finished the quarter strongly, earning two short corners in quick succession and putting the opposition defence under real pressure. Unfortunately, neither corner resulted in another goal.

The final quarter started with Slaz still looking to attack, with Mollie carrying the ball up the line before the opposition managed to intercept. The girls quickly regrouped, with Cerys, Ruth and Mollie finding space and looking for opportunities to get forward. Amelia, Georgie and Matilda continued to work hard defensively, with Matilda and Lauren putting in some excellent challenges to stop the opposition progressing towards the D.

When the opposition did manage to get a shot away, GK Emily was equal to it, making an important save to protect the clean sheet and earning herself the player of the match award. 👏Slaz continued to compete for possession, with Georgie and Matilda shutting down opposition attacks and Matilda doing particularly well to win the ball and release Jess into space. The pressure was intense, and unfortunately Lauren came off with an injury but the girls adapted well and continued to work hard as a team. Ella, Ruth, Cerys, Amelia, Mollie and Izzy linked up well in attack, carrying the ball forward and creating further chances.

Slaz won a short corner and then another, with Izzy getting a shot away which was saved by the opposition keeper. Ella and Amelia continued to press, with Amelia going incredibly close once again as her effort struck the post. The opposition kept pushing for a consolation goal, but the Slaz defensive unit remained strong. Etta, Katie and Georgie worked tirelessly to win the ball back, while Matilda continued to organise and disrupt the opposition's attacking play. Slaz created several more promising opportunities in the closing stages, including three particularly close attempts, but couldn't quite add to the scoreline.

The final whistle went with Slaz securing a fantastic 4–0 victory and, importantly, a clean sheet. 💚🏑 This was a brilliant team performance and every player contributed to the result, and the girls should be incredibly proud of their performance.

Goals:
⚡ Amelia x2
⚡ Ruth x1
⚡ Cerys x1

Thanks to Gemma and James for umpiring today! A fantastic afternoon of hockey from the Slaz U16 Girls in the sun! ☀️💚🏑