hockey v wakefield

The long journey through the mist and rain across the Pennines was made all the more worthwhile with some close matches in all age groups but also by the much improved weather when we got there.

An end to end 1st XI game saw Arnold fail to put the ball in the net despite having four or five scoring chances in both halves of the game. Both teams had shots cleared off the line and we were unlucky not to score through Georgina Read whose shot at goal narrowly missed the target. As often happens in games such as this, the result was settled by a breakaway goal ten minutes from time. Unfortunately the goal came from Wakefield. Lizzie Salmon was outstanding in defence and was chosen as the player of the match.

A good team performance and a goal in each half gave Arnold's 2^nd XI a 2-0 win in their game. Katie Ashcroft kept up her goal tally by scoring a typical centre forward goal in the first half after a perfectly timed cross from Faye Shearer on the right. Good work on the right from Heather Roberts led to the second goal which was scored by Stephanie Lees. Goalkeeper Amy Bradley was forced to make two exceptional saves, and the player of the match was Camilla Dunlop who dominated the midfield play.

The U15 team adapted quickly to playing on grass dominating play and having a number of scoring chances in the first half. Aimy Barrow scored a great opportunist goal, to put Arnold ahead at the beginning of the second half, after good pressure from Captain Lara Cherry. Wakefield came back strongly and equalised five minutes later. There was further Wakefield pressure with keeper Roxanne Reynolds being forced to make two good saves, but Arnold defended well with sweeper Jenny Carpenter playing exceptionally well. The last ten minutes was all Arnold as Rachel Fackey, Charlotte Wells and Lara Cherry all pushed forward to try to get the winner. It was nearly the dream end when a penalty corner strike from Rachel Fackey narrowly missed the target in the last minute of the game.

A first half goal from Charlotte Forsyth gave the U13 team a 1-0 win. The goal came from a Claire Thistleswaite sideline pass, which bobbled over the Wakefield defenders' sticks, for Courtney Spector to pass to Charlotte who slipped it past the Wakefield keeper. Wakefield dominated most of the second half but determined defending and fine saves from keeper Sophie Glassock kept the opposition out. In an excellent all round team performance Rosie Gillis was player of the match and special mention must also go to Rebecca Pearson who gave a faultless performance as sweeper in the second half when Rebecca Aspin had to leave the field injured.

The U12 team had the most convincing win, by putting an impressive 5 goals past the opposition without conceding any. The forward line played well with dynamic right forward and player of the match Daisy Bradley, opening the scoring for Arnold. Left forward Molly Betmead scored a hatrick and a fine penalty corner strike from centre forward Francesca Beeby saw all the forward line get on the score sheet. It was a fine performance from a team that are just as comfortable attacking down the left as they are on the right.

Posted by: Miss G Raby
Date: Tuesday 14/10/2008