The Charge of the U16 Girls Continues …

After dominating at Harrogate in their previous match, the U16 Girls travelled to York with an infectious positivity … confidence was high. It was a slightly changed team though, a low availability meant that 6 of the U14’s stepped up to the challenge. The groans were heard from a far when the news that we would be playing without a goalkeeper was broken, but this did not shake the confidence of the girls.

The match started very quickly, and a period of end-to-end hockey took place. The Driffield defence was the first to be tested, but Octavia Farnsworth, Clementine Bottomley, Lucy Russell and Abby Osborne held strong. After clearing the early match nerves and settling, Driffield went on the attack but a crunching tack in the York defence led to a quick clearance into the Driffield half. A York pass from near halfway was sent goalward and split the Driffield centre-backs … a foot race ensued, and the absence of a keeper meant that it was a straight race – luckily for Driffield, the victor was the ball, and the York stick was deemed to have touched the ball after it crossed the line.

Consternation for York, relief for Driffield … Driffield though were inspired! Driffield went on the attack. Hannah Percival and Betsy Fenton on the wings linked with Pippa Lucas, Amber Scott and Emily Collinge in the mid-field and the ball spent the next 10 minutes in the York third of the pitch. York weathered the resultant storm however but Driffield, instead of getting frustrated, powered on. Shots from both Evie Starrett and Bella Thompson went wide, and the York keeper made many a save – the groans from the Driffield crowd were getting louder.

York managed to break clear of the Driffield press once again but strong tackling from Clemmie was rewarded with a free hit. Promptly taken to cries of “she is not five” from a member of the Driffield crowd … play was only briefly halted.

Sophie Dockerty and Lily-Mae Hirst entered the pitch and fresh legs brought Driffield forward quickly. A run up the right wing by Sophie led to a foot being found in the D and a short corner given. Amber injected and Lucy Russell stood tall for the upright hit which was at first saved but the resultant rebound slotted into the goal. The Driffield spectators went wild!!!

The rest of the half preceded in the same manner – Driffield constantly moving forward quickly. Out on the left passes between Pippa, Lily, Emily and Amber moved the ball forward with precision – on the right Hannah, Betsy and Sophie seamlessly pressed on. Short corner after short corner was won but alas goal-line sticks and saves from the York keeper kept the score to 1-0 at half-time, much to the frustration of the Driffield players. York created a couple of chances on the break, but the Driffield defence held strong – special mention to Abby for her sprinting pace to overtake the York players when chasing the ball back to the Driffield D. Critical in the absence of a keeper.

Half-time refreshments were undertaken and the mood was upbeat … fuelled by Maom stripes and Orange slices the Driffield team returned to the field of play. It was however York (perhaps riled by their coaches team-talk) who came out surging. Big tackles from Lucy and interceptions from Octavia were critical to keeping the ball away from the Driffield goal. Unfortunately, a short-corner was given (you could feel the tension in the crowd) and 5 Driffield girls lined up in the goal. The shot from the top of the D was blocked by Lucy and a cheer went up. Driffield were lifted once again and pressed forward through the middle, Pippa, Amber and Emily linking for a series of short passes that finished with a shot from Emily Collinge and suddenly 2-0 it was.

Driffield had found a fire in their hearts and forward they pressed. Clemmie (having now moved to left-back) pressed high up the pitch and drove the ball forward up the wing connecting with Lily and Betsy. The target however alluded Driffield as shot after shot kept slipping wide or was saved by the keeper. Yorks 16’s were suitably pressed with Amber, Emily and Pippa making sure that the ball never really left the York half. Finally, the York defence was beaten, and a foot was found in the D … once again, Lucy Russell calmly stepped up and slotted the ball home.

There was more drama to come however when York came forth in response – a challenge in the defensive D led to the Umpire reaching for his cards and Lucy was shown the Green. The resultant short corner was grabbed from the striking York players stick by Pippa and a calm, defensive couple of minutes ensued but Octavia, Abby and Clemmie made sure there were no gaps to be found.

Lucy – now back on the pitch – found Sophie out on the right wing and having beaten the York left Sophie back struck an amazing, lifted shot goal-ward … the crowd were cheering until the York goalkeeper flashed her hand and made an outstanding save.

Heading into the later stages of the game and Driffield’s passing prowess was really coming together. After a series of quick-passing in the mid-field, the ball once again reached Sophie on the right wing – finding acres of space and driving towards the baseline before slipping the ball inside (and round the York left-back) to Bella who ably crossed the ball across the D towards the back post and finding the awaiting Hannah Percival who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the goal and putting the match firmly out of the reach of York.

A few more opportunities developed in the later stages of the game, with shots from both Bella and Evie going wide. The final whistle blew and Driffield celebrated a fantastic victory over a strong York outfit.

Thank you to all those U14’s, some on debut, who stepped up … the future of Ladies hockey at Driffield is certainly very strong. The victory was well-deserved, the passing play and vision from all the girls was excellent – a true team victory.

I am finding it difficult selecting a player of the match because there were so many moments of individual excellence. The standout for me though, was the silky, smooth passing play and therefore I award the accolade to the whole team for their connection to each other.

Once again, my thanks to the parents and travelling spectators for supporting the girls and travelling to York.