A day of weather extremes didn’t stop the players from getting out on the field and giving it their best effort for their hockey game. A number of teams were short of players this week, but the effort from all was superb.
Under 8 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong Jaguars
Another great hockey game from Strikers, with strong passing and excellent teamwork.
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia
The Newtown Spirit players are gaining confidence each week, resulting in some excellent teamwork and great defence. Heidi took on the role of full back, and stopped many of Kardinia’s shots at goal. Passing to team mates from defence was excellent with Heidi showing great awareness of the options open to her. In the midfield, Olivia, Kyra and Immy worked hard to put pressure on the opposition when they had the ball, and often ended up winning the ball for Spirit. Mitchell, Lucas and Nina on the forward line showed great focus and eagerness to get the ball, creating a number of attacking moves which saw the play heading to our goal.
The U8 teams enjoyed a Morning Munch after the game, quickly polishing off the fruit, raisin toast and pikelets on offer. Thanks to Chris and the canteen helpers for catering for this enjoyable event.
Under 10 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 2-0
Last week we had a really great game against Kardinia. We won 3-0 against a really strong team. All because we were passing really well and kept on working all game long.
This Saturday was a different game. It was really wet and fresh out on the field. Great that everyone was still there and gave it their best. It was definitely not an easy game. Spirit was defending really well and it was hard to make the final push to the goal. Persistence by all helped us win in the end with 2-0. Great goals of both Josien and Summah! But also great to see that both Albie and Jack kept on pushing and trying. They are improving week by week. Well done everyone!
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 0-2
A fantastic hockey game by Newtown Spirit, with a 7 goal improvement from the first encounter between these two teams. Patrick, Ved and Lilly defended strongly in the last line of defence, stopping a number of Strikers forays into the goal circle. Maia, Hamish and Poppy formed a solid link in the midfield, helping to get the ball out of defence and moving the play forward to Spirit’s advantage.
Albie and Olive provided great support for team mates in defence, coming back to help and showing great persistence with sticks down to tackle well. Will was again in great position on the wing and provided the opportunity to move the ball forward for Spirit. Some positional changes saw Eliza drop to defence and Ved move into attack, and his determination and focus on the play was excellent.
The team are continuing to improve in all aspects of play and showing very pleasing determination and a positive attitude.
Best Team Player Awards to Olive and Ved.
Under 12 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 2-3
Strikers started the game well, and were able to match the initial pressure from Torquay. There was some crowding in the centre of the field initially, but then Strikers started to put into play their drills from training with some great play down the wings and then passes into the D. Jacob and Zac put Newtown ahead 2 – 0 before half time.
In the second half, Strikers started off well until the heavens opened. The heavy rain put them off their stride and they lost discipline in their positioning. Torquay capitalised on this and scored 3 goals in quick succession. Newtown bounced back towards the end of the game but it was too late. So it was a game of two very different halves this week, but one to learn from nonetheless.
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia Blue 4-1
Spirit had a good solid game this week up against Kardinia Blue.
We welcomed back Michael to the team this week, who provided some nice help with our forward run. Thank you to Pollyanna for being our goalie this week, who did a fantastic job and saved some good shots on goal.
The kids all showed great two way running, pushing forward when we had the ball, and back to defend with any turn overs. Excellent passing to the space saw our forwards able to break away and run the ball into the D on several occasions. Some excellent defending of the short corners, with good running, and clearing out the ball.
This week we used our wings more, which provided more opportunities to push forward, and some nice ball movement. Some very good short corner work this week, with some nice crisp shots on goal from Zac. In the end Spirit finishing with a well-deserved 4 goals to 1 win.
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 2-6
We had all four seasons in 1 hour, and it was Newtown Strikers that came away with the win. With no goalie, Amelia worked very hard in defence along with Liam, Kayla, Grace and Surry. Congratulations to the two goal scorers for Newtown Spirit, Brandon and Tilly. A great team effort was maintained throughout the game, especially with the rain and hail in the second half and no interchange. Congratulations to our fellow players in Newtown Strikers and thanks for a great game.
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 3-2
A fun game against our fellow club team – Newtown Spirit, saw some excellent passing, strong defence and many opportunities to score. The final result 3-2 in the Strikers favour, was well deserved by the team. One of the objectives for todays game was to play structured hockey, enabling Ruby and Amber on the wings to take the ball wide and attack our forward line. Our first goal came from a terrific overlap pass from Phillip to Basyl, while Sam and Brandon scored goals late to get the Strikers over the line in a tight contest.
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 2-4
An undermanned Spirit team lived up to their name by showing immense determination and spirit to come back from a goal down to hold a well-drilled Strikers side to 2-all for the majority of the match. With 3 less field players to hit, our defenders and halves showed great composure and decision-making to find effective pathways forward and create some penetrating entries down the right side. Our efforts were rewarded with a goal just before half time via Oliver from the top of the D, followed by a second mid-way into the second half from Charlie.
We were offered a chance to even up player numbers at half time, but I decided to challenge the Spirit side to re-create the ball movement we displayed in our previous match, and I’m incredibly proud of the way our 7 players ran out the match. With another couple of passing options, a few earlier passes, improved vision and switching to the left side, I’m confident we can have a successful and enjoyable season.
Thanks as always to those who turn up to training, to Gordon for coaching on Thursdays and Ashley for managing. Remember to check TeamApp for the quick player survey.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons v Geelong 1-4
The game was fairly even for the first half of the 1st half, considering Geelong had 10 players and we had 9 players. Geelong scored first and then Maggie evened the score.
Considering we were out numbered our girls never gave up. Half way through the 2nd half Beth decided to stop a ball in a short corner with her head. Unfortunately the head came off second best. Beth was Ok after the game looking after the lump on the head. A BIG thank you to the Division 2 players who filled in for us, they were Peta and Emily and a special thank you to Ruby, who had already played a couple of games and offered her services at the last minute just before the game was starting.
