U9A Hockey v Kimbolton - 2nd February 2017
Copthill assembled a strong U9A team for the challenging task of playing Kimbolton, away.
It was great to see the boys starting at high pace, showing no effects of the long bus journey.
Tenacious tackling to win the ball by Ralph Berry and Rory Driver. Creative midfield passing by James Hayes and Stan Halden, and raw energy from Austin Waller, Sam Chesworth and Elliot Britton kept us pressing forward, so much so that Marcus Oliver in goal didn't have much to do.... initially! However, we knew Kimbolton could punish us if we let up our guard, and just before the half time whistle they broke into our D, won a free hit, passed and moved beautifully around us for a tap-in at the far post. 1-0 at half time.
The second half ebbed and flowed, counter attack to counter attack, everyone was very busy, the chances came and went. Defensively we were starting to hold our own, which allowed us to press high and make scoring opportunities. However, try as we might, the chances just didn't quite get over the line, summed up by Sam's shot, seconds from the end of the game, that blazed just inches wide.
We used to go to Kimbolton for a hockey education, so although a shame to lose by the narrowest of margins, the U9 boys can hold their heads high, this is probably the best result of a Copthill team at Kimbolton in the five years we have been playing the fixture. If we continue to progress at the same rate, next year it will be us doing the educating!
Well done to all the team. Outstanding effort! Many thanks to James for captaining so well, and congratulations to Rory for his Man of the Match performance in defence.
Nick T
It was great to see the boys starting at high pace, showing no effects of the long bus journey.
Tenacious tackling to win the ball by Ralph Berry and Rory Driver. Creative midfield passing by James Hayes and Stan Halden, and raw energy from Austin Waller, Sam Chesworth and Elliot Britton kept us pressing forward, so much so that Marcus Oliver in goal didn't have much to do.... initially! However, we knew Kimbolton could punish us if we let up our guard, and just before the half time whistle they broke into our D, won a free hit, passed and moved beautifully around us for a tap-in at the far post. 1-0 at half time.
The second half ebbed and flowed, counter attack to counter attack, everyone was very busy, the chances came and went. Defensively we were starting to hold our own, which allowed us to press high and make scoring opportunities. However, try as we might, the chances just didn't quite get over the line, summed up by Sam's shot, seconds from the end of the game, that blazed just inches wide.
We used to go to Kimbolton for a hockey education, so although a shame to lose by the narrowest of margins, the U9 boys can hold their heads high, this is probably the best result of a Copthill team at Kimbolton in the five years we have been playing the fixture. If we continue to progress at the same rate, next year it will be us doing the educating!
Well done to all the team. Outstanding effort! Many thanks to James for captaining so well, and congratulations to Rory for his Man of the Match performance in defence.
Nick T
U9 A and B Squads
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