8 February 2017
1st XI
The KGS 1st XI that we know were back on Saturday dominating most of the game. They opened up great space down the outsides of the pitch to allow long balls to be played setting the forwards through on goal. The first goal came from a great individual run from Hannah Mears beating the defence and hammering the ball home into the roof of the net! The whole team worked tirelessly on trying to make the right decision and it certainly paid off! Charlotte McDonald struck home with the second after a great run from Evie Turner. Altrincham did not give in making some dangerous runs in their attacking area. Amelia Dalzell, Amy Barrow, Freyja Powell and Molly Bedford were solid at the back playing with real confidence. Altrincham pulled a goal back only for KGS to respond by running the length of the pitch with Charlotte McDonald scoring once again with a strike from top D.
A 3-1 victory for KGS!
2nd XI
The 2nd XI also produced a very positive performance, keeping possession of the ball creating space for players to run into. They had opportunities on goal from Geena Barlow, Lydia Williamson and Niamh McFarlane but failed to convert with the Altrincham GK making some excellent saves. Camryn Spector and Captain Sian Atkinson floated some excellent balls through from the midfield but struggled to hold off the Altrincham attack. A quick break resulted in Altrincham converting in open play leaving the final score at 1-0.
U12s
U12 A won 7-0 U12 B won 3-2
Once again Kirkham's U12 squads were on fire playing with real determination and developing new skills within game play.
In the A team game all players worked the ball around a very cluttered D until openings appeared demonstrating patience and composure. It wasn't long before the first goal was scored after a great through ball set Bo Madden through on goal! The goals just kept coming with a further 6 being scored by Hattie Madden, Bo Madden and Ella McDonald. The team continue to be unbeaten so far this season!
The KGS B team struggled at first, and conceded two goals early on. As they began to settle it was clear that they were the better team but had a lot of work to do to get the game back! Natasha Hartley-Smith converted first with a great shot from top D. As the team continued to dominate the defence got more involved within attacking play with Eve Gooderham making some excellent forward runs and Anya Baxter converting the second goal.
With the score at 2-2 it was all to play for! The KGS girls battled till the end and scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game leaving the final score at 3-2 to Kirkham.
U14s
The U14s were unlucky in their 1-0 defeat to Altrincham. A reshuffled team took some time to adapt as Altrincham put the KGS girls under heavy pressure. Possession was conceded too easily as the KGS defence, midfield and attack struggled to link together. Despite being put under intense pressure for much of the first half, the KGS girls got to half time at 0-0 thanks to some good saves by Mia Brennand and tenacious defending from Alesha Mansfield, Jemima Towers, Libby Baxter, Olivia Bickerstaff and the midfield of Anna Wilkinson, Lizzie Coulston, Hannah Doyle and Lily Butcher. The two KGS forwards Margaret Hodgson and Charlotte Cross both worked tirelessly to put pressure on Altrincham players.
In the second half KGS again came under heavy pressure from Altrincham who took the lead from a deflected short corner. KGS rallied and the defence and midfield started to look after the ball a little better with some good passages of play creating space for Lizzie Coulston to run at the Altrincham defence. As the second half wore on, KGS were able to move into more attacking areas but just couldn't break through a tough Altrincham defence to test the goalkeeper.
A wonderful effort from the U14s who were playing for the first time since the 10th December and many of whom were getting used to playing a new position.
U13 7-a-side Hockey v Altrincham
Saturday 4th February 2017
A Team won 6-2
B Team won 1-0
Both teams are to be congratulated on solid team performances at the weekend. The A Team’s challenge was to score into the corners of the goal or slot it behind the goalkeeper after last Saturday’s match where they aimed the ball straight at the keeper. They did this successfully with some great passing amongst the forwards, Aggie Barker-Mill, Beth Dowbiggin and Lexie Fraser resulting in a high scoring game.
The B Team started to play with greater width, running the ball behind the Altrincham defence and having several shots on gaol. Altrincham had a few break away runs but the KGS defence worked back well to counter these. This was also true in the A Team game. Players supported each other well preventing the opposition gaining too much ground in attack.
U15X1 Hockey v Altrincham
Lost 2-0
The U15 team were depleted this week with 10 starting players. (Emma Savidge joined them for the first half at LF and Aggie Barker-Mill at LM for the second half). However, the U15s gave a determined performance. They were calm on the ball making some great passes between themselves and keeping possession until an opportunity arose to set up an attacking move. Their defence was also strong. Tackles were well timed and Altrincham were stopped getting into their attacking ‘D’ on numerous occasions. The score was 0-0 at half time which was a good result against a strong Altrincham side.
In the second half, tiredness began to show. A slower pace of play by KGS meant the opposition were able to get the ball more frequently into their attacking D. The defence were under greater pressure and it wasn’t long before Altrincham scored their first goal. However, despite going another goal down KGS never gave up. In the last five minutes they had two shots on goal that could have enabled them to equalise. It was a great team performance and all girls are to be congratulated.
