16 October 2018
U14 Hockey Lancashire Champions!
The U14 squad travelled to Preston sports arena to compete in the first round of the England Hockey National Schools Competition. Five teams competed from across Lancashire including Stonyhurst, Rossall, AKS and Lytham.
In the first match KGS met Stonyhurst College, it took a little time to settle but once in full flow KGS dominated the game retaining possession and playing the ball around beautifully to open up acres of space. The final score was 2-0 with goals from Natasha Hartley-Smith and Talia Armstead. In the next game KGS met Rossall, once again the girls stuck to the game plan and dominated throughout the game, resulting in a 6-0 victory.
Next up were Lytham, Ella McDonald played amazingly well play-making from the centre of midfield. The first goal came followed by a further 5 to leave the final score at 6-0 to KGS.
AKS were the final game of the day for the KGS Girls, within seconds of the start whistle Natasha Hartley-Smith made a great run down the left side of the pitch to set McDonald through on goal. Another goal followed shortly after from Talia Armstead after a terrific attack down the middle of the pitch. The final goal came just before half time to seal a 3-0 victory.
A fabulous performance from a very strong U14 squad!
U16 v Wakefield Saturday 13th October
1-0 Win
The U16 girls played their first match together on Saturday against Wakefield. They played with real drive and commitment as they worked hard to keep their shape and discipline. KGS went 1-0 up after 5 minutes with a goal from Lizzie Coulston. Wakefield came back strong and the game became very competitive with chances at both ends. This was a very solid performance and the girls thoroughly deserved their 1-0 victory.
U14 v Wakefield
1-1 draw - Goal scorer Ella McDonald
From the first whistle it was clearly evident that both teams were strong and a great standard of hockey was displayed throughout. Dani Merrick provided some excellent defending skills going forward which allowed Ella McDonald to strike and gain Kirkham the lead, 1-0. Despite Wakefield’s numerous attempts on goal, Kirkham’s defensive unit and Goalkeeper Darcy managed to keep the 1-0 lead into half time.
Wakefield broke back and made it 1-1 in the second half. As the game progressed it became physical with both teams desperate to get the win. But, as the full time whistle went the game finished a respectable 1-1 draw.
U13 v Wakefield
5-0 win
The KGS U13s produced their best performance of the season so far as they beat Wakefield 5-0. The girls played some lovely hockey, passing the ball well and creating space for one another in attacking areas. 3 goals were scored in the first half; two for Jess Cole and one for Hennie Thompson. At half time the message was to keep passing the ball quickly in attacking areas and to switch play using the defenders. In the second half, a short-corner was deflected home by a Wakefield defender under pressure from Maisie Bailey and Jess Cole completed her hat-trick to give KGS a well-deserved and resounding victory.
All the girls were fantastic and the performance showed the fantastic progress they have made as a team this half term.
U12 v Wakefield
The U12 squad enjoyed their first Saturday fixture of the season against Wakefield School. It was always going to be a challenging start to the season and both games certainly didn’t disappoint. In both matches play was very much end to end with teams testing their goal keepers.
In the A team game, Wakefield scored a goal early on which left the KGS girls chasing. Alexa Anderson struck back though to even things up just before the half time whistle. In the second half, great play from Frankie Margerison and Georgia Nichols set Anderson through on goal once again to take KGS into the lead. More goal came leaving the final score at 4-3 to Wakefield. A very exciting game to start the season.
In the B team game KGS were also left chasing after a great goal from the Wakefield forward. Attack after attack set KGS through on goal but great goal keeping kept them out! Grace Tomlinson and Evie Melia has great opportunities through on goal but unfortunately were unable to convert. The final score was 2-0 Wakefield. Another exciting game which demonstrated lots of potential within the KGS U12 side.
