Winchester Hockey Club Oracle Edition 57
U18 Girls
vs Maidenhead - 3-0
Scorers: Esther, Alice (2)
The girls got off to a flying start with a great goal from Esther in the first ten minutes. There were some good runs of play and the midfield were in control, with several more shots on goal in the first half. Maidenhead started the second half with more focus and determination and we took a little while to settle back in. However, a well-worked short corner led to Alice’s first goal which she added to three minutes later with another from open play. The opposition weren’t ready to give up and the defence had plenty of work to do with a run of short corners to defend and several great saves from goalie Josie.
U16 Boys
vs Oxford - 4-1 (8 Oct)
After the Amersham win, confidence was high as WHC hosted Oxford on 8th October. Winchester kept possession well and Tom scored after a solo run midway through the first half. Oxford looked for the attack and nearly broke several times before Rory turned on the half way line and left the defender behind. He raced towards the base line and then slipped left to find George who tapped in for 2-0. Oxford started the second half the stronger - with a quickly taken long corner, Oxford found a way through and tapped in for 2-1. Looking to level the score, Oxford had several short corners midway through the second half but couldn’t find a way through. After a back stick tomahawk, James took the free out quickly and found Billy in space who instantly passed to Tom on the right. Tom found Monty who took a quick shot which rebounded off the keeper for Rory to sweep it into the goal. Finally in the last ten minutes of the match, Will scored from a 1-2 short corner. The boys hosted the umpires and Oxford players with pizza in the pavilion, which everyone enjoyed! A huge thank you to Paul and Ian for umpiring.
vs Reading Harriers - 3-1
On the road again, Winchester U16 boys travelled to Sonning Lane looking to continue their great start to the season. What was clear from the start is that this contest would need hard work and determination to get three points. It was Reading that scored first, halfway through the first half which was followed up with a spell of Reading attacking didn’t look good for the boys. However, one Reading attack broke down and led to a counter and George was again at the near post for a tap in. The second half was pretty much end-to-end stuff as both sides looked to find a breakthough. Thomas connected to a bouncy ball and we entered the last ten minutes with the advantage. Reading continually looked threatening and likely to score and when the umpire signalled for the last two minutes Reading subbed their keeper for an outfield player to try and gain something. Coach Howard quickly switched the line up and put strength in defence. Reading couldn’t find a way through which inevitably led to an overload; the shot at the top of the D hit a Reading foot and the match ended with a short corner. Bertie’s strike had a bounce and with no keeper the reading defender was unable to stop. Well done boys, onto the next one.
U14 Girls
Vs Haslemere - 1-2
This weekend’s match was a tough one - it got off to an intense start and we displayed some good transfers and 100% effort. However, it was Haslemere that managed to get the ball down the middle of the pitch and get the first goal. Winchester responded quickly with an awesome shot from Zoe that was deflected in by a Haslemere stick. On the attack the team were efficient and made some great 1.2.1 passes that that got us into Haslemere‘s D, but needed to increase ball pace in order to win more time on the ball. After half-time Winchester were far stronger and had most of the possession in their half - there were a few successful attempts of penetrating the D, however a goal was conceded towards the end of the game. It was a strong effort from Winchester especially against some strong individuals!