Girls' Hockey: U11a v Loretto
Belhaven 3 – 4 Loretto
A late final match of the season saw Belhaven host Loretto on a rather cold astro at Hallhill. Having drawn with them in the first match of the term, the girls were keen for a great game to finish the season.
Eliza won the toss and ended up with their choice of direction too. The game got off to a good start with equal possession on the ball. Shots at goal for both teams and play moved back and forth. Eliza, Alexandra and Alice linked up well in attack whilst Poppy, Grace and Alice T started well as a defensive back line. Unfortunately, Loretto had a couple of strong strikers who managed to get past the defence and Hester. Whether it was the cold or just tiredness, the girls were not on their top form in the first half. Instead of being feisty for the ball, they hung back from the opposition. Davina and Lucy played well in the middle of the field but by half time the score was 0 – 3.
A rather more stern half time talk to the team and the reminder that I have seen them play at a much higher standard and the girls took back to the pitch. It was a much better second half. The girls attacked the ball when needed and were quicker at getting back to defend the ball. Then we had a break through, we gained possession and had shots on goal – a little wide to start off with though! Loretto managed to drive the ball right down the centre of the pitch to catch our defenders off guard and score a fourth goal! Another break through from the second half saw Eliza quickly in the circle – a goal for the team. Another in quick succession from Alexandra as this time we caught the Loretto defence off guard! Further possession in our half of the pitch and Alice had the ball on the edge of the circle, passed it in to Davina and between the attack, a third goal was fired past the goalie. The final whistle went but the girls and I were pleased with their final efforts.
What a shame we didn’t play like that from the start – it could have been a different game entirely. Well done though girls – you kept your heads up when they could have dropped and you played a super second half.
KG
