Under 6
The Under 6 Joeys players enjoyed their game of ‘Keepings Off’, and showed some great passing skills before running to the next space to create the next option.
Under 8
Newtown Spirit – Bye
A ‘Parents and Kids’ game initially pitted the Wilson family against the rest, with some new players joining both teams as the game started. There were some great examples of passing, moving to space and recognition of the best option for passing to team mates. Firm passes kept the play moving and there were many forays into the attacking zones. Well done to all.
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay
Newtown Strikers continue to impress each week, with their strong passing and great support for team mates. A good understanding of positioning and attacking strategies is always a feature.
Under 10
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 0-0
What a fantastic effort by Newtown Spirit! After a 0-9 scoreline between these two teams in Round 1, this game showed how much the Spirit team and players have improved. With great attention to the team’s game strategies and a focus on persistence, the Spirit team was able to defend very well and deflect the Strikers attacks. Better use of the width of the field and passes directed to team mates saw Newtown Spirit create some promising attacks. Circle entries increased and there were some opportunities to score which didn’t quite work out but not because of a lack of effort.
Midfield work from Poppy and Ved was well supported by Albie and Maia with Hamish, Lucy and Ellie in good position to move the ball forward. When the ball did enter the Spirit defensive zone, Pat, Lilly and Eliza were steadfast and strong, denying Strikers the clear shot at goal.
Under 12
Newtown Strikers v Kardinia Blue 2-2
Strikers were a bit rusty after the lockdown break. After some initial pressure they were very static off the ball and didn’t create many opportunities. Strikers were first to score but Kardinia were quick to equalise and then took the lead. With 15 minutes to go Strikers found a last burst of energy and started putting together some lovely passes down the field. They were rewarded with a goal to bring the scores equal. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time for them to find a winning goal but during the last burst of play the team looked more like their usual selves.
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong Jaguars 2-1
A lovely bit of weather for our yet again return to hockey weekend. It was again a tough week with all the kids showing a bit of the energy zap from a on again off again nature of a COVID conditions hockey season. We were back to the country footy setup, with cars surrounding the ground, and parents with hands hovering over their horns.
We were up against a much improved Geelong Jaguars team this week, seeing how they have developed over the season, shows there are some strong competitions to come in future seasons.
Despite the low energy levels, we still managed some nice ball movement this week, again moving the ball out wide to our leading wings Ivy, Jett, and Michael who were making great position. Some very nice calling by our players, and it was very pleasing to see these calls being honored, and players passing the ball, rather than trying to get around opponents. This enabled those players to then run on and then receive the ball back again.
This style of play saw us go into attack on many occasions, by allowing our midfielders of Zac, Valentina, and Matilda get some space, and get a few short corners through some clever work inside the attacking D.
The improved ball movement from the Jags, was keeping our midfield busy, having to run back and defend, which on balance they did very well. Kashvi, Audrey and Maia rotating through the full back positions, providing some strong defence, with Will, Oliver and Charlotte in great support, rebounding the Jaguars attacks.
A highlight of this weekend’s game was to see Kashvi come out of the defensive 25 to meet a breakaway Jags forward, making the Jags forward pass off the ball, and then seeing Kashvi sprint back to help defend the D and rebound the ball out wide, well done Kashvi!
Pollyanna was again our goalie this week, and after doing some wonderful late game saving stops, including one off her stick, lead the Spirit team in the three cheers for the opposition and the umpires, well done Pol!
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Spirit v Torquay 0-13
A very strong Torquay attack kept Hamish very busy in the goals. He was well supported by Liam, Kayla, Surry and other Newtown Spirit defenders. Newtown Spirit did well against a team that had double the male players.
Tilly, Lachlan and Lara worked hard to get the ball into the Newtown goals, but it didn’t quite get there. Great game to watch and great to see everyone back on the field!
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia Blue 4-0
So nice to see the kids playing again. Strikers worked well as a team today with a quick first goal by Eoin, supported by Ado to start the game well.
Great defence by Leo and Anya kept the team in attack mode, allowing Strikers to score two more goals by Anya and Kye. Kardinia held their defence well in the second half, and one last goal by Nate from a penalty corner sealed the deal for a 4-0 win for Strikers.
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia White 3-1
The Spirit side began the match a little scratchy, over possessing the ball and trying to go through defenders. We conceded a goal early but soon after regained some structured play, passing around defenders and using the wings more. We dominated possession in the second half and created numerous scoring chances with strong forward pressure
supported by Tom, Oskar and Oliver across the half line, and finished with 3 team goals. Let’s hope we are able to finish out the season and continue our good form.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons – Bye
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Black 0-8
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Saints Red 1-1
Up against the top team this week, and with a 0-4 result in our last encounter, we were hopeful that the recent addition of some younger players would provide us with some attacking advantages. Strikers began well, with the midfield lineup of Andie, Tash and Hannah putting plenty of obstacles in the way of the Saints attackers. Beth and Hillary backed up well and pressured any who slipped through the first line of defence. Saints scored first with a nice deflection off a short corner.
But Newtown were not deterred, and continued to work hard. Great passing to forwards using the space well and showing great ball control saw Newtown create a number of attacks of their own and put some pressure on the Saints defence, earning a number of short corners. Grace, Charlie, Emily and Gemma received the ball from defence and controlled it well to advance. Peta, Emma and Audrey teamed well, winning possession and distributing the ball to players moving into good space in attack.
A penalty stroke defended, denied Saints a further goal, but it looked as if Saints might claim the win. However, another advance into the goal circle in the last minutes of the game saw Peta score, earning a well deserved draw for Strikers. Well done all!
