Team: Emma Garvey; Mae Trimmer, Emily Swain; Bethan Mason, Millie Gates, Ella Munday + Isabel McKillop and Jess Morgan from the u12s, Holly loaned from A&F and a rolling 2 of 5 Haslemere girls (2 Izzys, an Abi, a Flo and an Iola).

The most important part of any game being worth playing is for it to be between well balanced teams who can challenge each other. This game definitely fell into that category with our 6 u16s supplemented by a variety of others to make for a brilliant game of hockey in the sun.

We took an early lead when Mae's shot was blocked by the keeper and fell to Ella who finished smartly while the defence all stopped for a foot which the umpire never blew. By half time it was 3:1 to Haslemere as they broke on us in numbers and created multiple overloads.

At half time the girls decided my formation was at fault, and moved Mae into defence from centre forward. Since they won the second half 4:3, they clearly knew what they were doing!

Haslemere pulled away to 5:1 before Ella got her second after a scramble from a PC (Bethan getting the assist). It became 6:2 and stayed that way until the final 10 minutes.

Millie then played Ella in for her second hattrick in as many games. 2 minutes later Bethan crossed after a fast break for Jess to brilliantly sweep into the corner of the goal for 6:4. With 2 minutes left Emily played in Millie who emphatically thundered the ball into the backboard for 6:5.
The game ended with the girls pushing for an unexpected equaliser and a great game was had by all.

Our regulars all stepped up and played brilliantly. Mae looked much more confident in her second game than she had in the first and nearly got on the end of a couple of chances in the first half at CF, then made some crucial clearances when playing at the back in the second half.

But the real stars were Jess and Isabel. It is a difficult thing to play with and against girls 2 age groups up, and especially when you've only played a handful of full pitch games before.
Isabel looked like she had been playing at that level for years, in probably the most impressive u16 debut since Felicity Scutter. She ruled the right side of the pitch - interchanged passes with the others and was not at all intimidated by the size and skill of the opposition. Jess took a bit longer to find her feet playing up front, but grew into the game as it went on, and made some nice runs in the second half - playing good passes and crosses to create chances for others. The highlight was, of course, the goal - which was one that Mia or Lizzie would have been proud of and gave the (very good) keeper no chance whatsoever.

Thanks to the parents for their support and to John for umpiring.