The interrupted hockey season resumed for the senior teams this week after a 2 week ‘COVID Break’, and it was obvious that all teams were glad to be playing.
Under 8 Mixed
Newtown Spirit – Bye
A friendly match between parents and kids was a fun way to practice the skills and strategies which the Spirit players are learning in this hockey season. There was some great passing, with players moving to space well and moving the ball quickly to the advantage of their team.
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay
Strikers continue to show great teamwork and determination with strong and effective passing to team mates in space. A great game by all as we head into the last half of the hockey season.
Under 10 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 1-2
Strikers had a tough game against a strong Torquay team. After a strong start from the Strikers, it was a first unfortunate goal by Torquay. Nonetheless Strikers showed resilience and kept on pushing to get the equalizer. The deserved 1-1 score came in the second half. Still both teams could definitely win.
Only a few minutes before the last whistle Torquay scored 1-2. Still Strikers didn’t give up. They even got a few penalty corners in the very last second, but unfortunately none of them went over the line. A great and exciting game by all players of both Strikers and Torquay. We are looking forward to the next rematch! Now first a few weeks of enjoying our school holidays!
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 0-0
This was one of those games where a draw is as good as a win! Spirit had begun the 2021 hockey season with a sound loss on the scoreboard, but have improved each week, showing great persistence and commitment.
Persistence and focus on the ball were highlights of this game, with Spirit players constantly putting pressure on the opposition and refusing to give up possession easily. Spirit limited the entries into the circle by Kardinia forwards and were able to prevent any score by Kardinia. Combined with game strategies to clear the ball out of defence more effectively, Spirit created a number of attacks, using the width of the wings to move forward. Great midfield work turned the ball to Spirit’s advantage on many occasions. One shot did enter the goal for Spirit – unfortunately hit from well outside the circle so no goal!
Best Team Players this week – THE WHOLE TEAM!
Under 12 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia White 8-0
Strikers came out with lots of energy from the first whistle. There were a few changes to positions this week but everyone quickly settled in to their new roles and there was great passing and use of space. It wasn’t long before Jacob opened the scoring for Newtown. After a few low scoring games it was great to see lots of players up in the circle waiting for an opportunity to score. Another goal from Jacob and two goals from Harrison saw Strikers four goals up at half time.
The energy was a little lower in the second half but there was still some great passing, calling and use of the field. Kardinia had very few opportunities to score thanks to great work from the Strikers defence and midfield. Baxter, Madison and Jacob added to the score sheet in the second half to take the final tally to 8. What a fantastic team performance this week – keep up the great work everyone!
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 0-1
Spirit had a tough game up against the top side Torquay this week. Kurt had a good session again this week with the kids before the game, thank you to those that were able to arrive early for the warmup and team chat.
Charlotte was in goals this week, still nursing a sore hand, and her feet had plenty to do today! Charlotte had to stop multiple shots on goal and was doing a great job clearing the ball out wide to our wings. We managed to get a couple of forward thrusts through some strong running from Zac, Matilda and Ivy, but the Torquay defence was doing a really good job keeping us out of the D.
Our defence was again a strong feature, however when under pressure we slipped back into our old habits of trying to move the ball through the middle, something Torquay was taking full advantage of with their strong centre corridor work. This kept Charlotte, Kashvi, Audrey, Oliver and Will very busy, keeping things all square, going into half time 0-0.
At half time Kurt again implored the troops to start using the angles, to move the ball around the Torquay wall and for our forwards to also push back and defend if there was a turnover. With some restructure we got some more forward thrusts in the second half, Maia and Jett helping to move the ball around, but also defending. Michael and Ivy provided some good link up play, getting the ball through to Valentina who was doing well at sneaking forward. We got some painfully close opportunities, that just missed the mark. Late in the half Torquay were pushing hard into attack, but our defenders again lifted, with some great saves from Charlotte, and good clearing hits from Will. Unfortunately, in a congested D, Torquay managed to slip a goal through our defence with only a few minutes remaining. The kids kept their heads, and pushed hard right to the end, again providing some scoring opportunities, but we were not able to get one over the line, going down 0-1.
Our focus for the next game will be to get back into more of what we did so very well last week: spreading the ball wide, making space, keeping field position and hard two-way running (pushing forward when we have the ball, but also pushing back to defend when we don’t). We are a much better team when we are doing these things consistently…
We still have training this week, and it would be great to see a solid turn out, before the break!
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Spirit v Kardinia White (0 – 8) – 21 June 2021
A great team effort was given by Newtown Spirit, but it wasn’t quite enough against Kardinia White.
Surry had a great start to the game, but during a short corner half way through the first half of the game, he was unfortunately hit in the knee by a ball and was able to take any further part in the game. Liam, Kayla, Amelia, Brandon and Scarlett provided great support with Hamish as goalie in defence and Lara, Lachlan, Grace and Amber worked very well as a team through the middle, but couldn’t quite convert the effort in to a goal.
A fantastic display of teamwork Newtown Spirit.
Newtown Strikers vs Golden Plains 3-1
A quick goal in the first few minutes by Eoin started off the game on a good note for Strikers. Good work by Serena, Peri and Nate, with a fantastic effort by Tessa this week. Kye and Adrian worked tirelessly through the midfield.
Ruby did some great clearances and there was some really good positioning by Sienna. Two goals to Eoin and one to Nate with an almost goal by Thamindu! Strikers won the game in the end 3-1.
The Players’ votes went to Eoin, Adrian and Anya.
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 0-3
Despite the scoreline, the Spirit side performed admirably, keeping Torquay at bay for most of the first half after an early lapse and good strike past fill-in keeper Oskar. We had the majority of chances and penalty corners but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise, but there was impressive ball movement, back passes and switches that denied Torquay the ball. Definitely improved structural play, and we look forward to some exciting hockey in the coming months
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Torquay 2-6
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red 4-2
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Saints Black 0-3
After an interrupted hockey season so far, it was fantastic to see the teamwork and co-operation from Strikers in this game. Our U14 players, Grace, Amber, Ruby and Anya slotted into the team as if they had always played there, and their well directed passing to team mates was a feature of the game. Anya’s positioning and strong hits to space from full back, well backed up by Hillary, repelled many of the Saints attacks without any great difficulty. The midfield lineup of Andie, Beth, Hannah and Lauren worked hard to gain possession and propel the ball forward. The defence fended off a number of Saints short corners and circle forays and it was only momentary seconds when Saints forwards were able to slip behind the defence to tap goals in.
Despite the scoreline, Saints did not dominate the game as you might think. Newtown created a number of promising forward moves, with Peta, Georgie and Deb making great interceptions and controlling the ball well to push the play forward. Persistence and great positioning from Amber and Grace on the wings created some good options in the circle, and Amber was unlucky not to score. Newtown had a number of shots at goal, unfortunately all stopped by the keeper.
Well done Strikers! A great game by all.
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red
Congratulations Tom McDonald. 150 games played!
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red
