There were many highlights in this round of the 2023 hockey season, with a huge effort from U17 Strikers, a great come back from D2 Women Strikers and a fantastic team game from U8 Strikers. Well done to all teams!
Under 6
Our group of U6 players, though small in number, are showing great attention to the guidance and coaching given to them. This shows in improving skills and concentration as the hockey season progresses.
Under 8
Newtown Strikers vs Saints
So far, the Strikers fourth round match against the in-form Saints has been the game of the hockey season! Both sides were on fire! Scoring goal after goal to set up a nail biting finale.
The first half saw multiple goals scored by Charlie and Thomas, with Thomas getting a “Hat-Trick” by the end of the match. Neither would have scored so many if it wasn’t for this week’s “Players of the Round”, awarded jointly to Eliza and Nadia. Both emerged as a formidable combination in the mid field in both attack and defense. I was so proud to see how far these girls have progressed from Round 1. Amazing job Eliza and Nadia. Keep up the excellent work!
Tess came close to scoring her own goal in the first half, only to see it miss to the right by the slimmest of margins and Miriam was rock solid in defense as always.
A special mention to Thomas goalkeeping late in the second half. Wonderful commitment Thomas!
Can’t wait to see everyone again this weekend.
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong
Newtown Spirit are developing their skills and confidence with each game of this hockey season. Excellent work by Caspar defending the goals, and always focusing on the approaching attack from Geelong. Abby, Flynn and Esther in the midfield kept sticks down to gain possession and keep control of the ball. A lovely ‘roadblock’ at one stage allowed Flynn to pull the ball back away from the opposing player who was trying to gain possession.
James continues to show great effort every game, always working hard to get the ball and send Newtown into attack. Great position on the wings from Leila and Claire allowed the 3 forwards to work together to progress the play. The second half saw Claire receive the ball and make quick passes to a team mate in good position. Great effort from all players made it a very enjoyable game to watch.
Best Team Player Awards to Claire and Leila.
Under 10
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia 0-7
The eventual scoreline from the U/10 Strikers’ match against Kardinia did not reflect the quality of the game nor the effort put in by the Strikers. Fielding a team of 9, compared to Kardinia’s full team and full bench, meant the odds were against the Strikers from the start. However, the team performed admirably in defence, with great efforts by Tom, Campbell, Georgia and Edward limiting Kardinia to just 2 goals in the first half.
Meanwhile, Georgia and Paige combined brilliantly in attack, backed up by Vicki who changed things up this week in attack rather than defence. There was some brilliant passing and positioning out wide by Newtown in the second half, with one very memorable pass from Felix to Dot drawing cheers! It was most unlucky that great passing from Georgia to Joe to Paige, Joe’s huge pass to Dot in the perfect position on the post, and a bunch of short corners, did not result in a Newtown goal. In the end, a run of late goals from Kardinia saw the scoreline end up at 7-0. But Newtown should be really proud of their efforts. Georgia and Paige were best on ground due to their stellar work together in attack.
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 2-0
Another entertaining match between these two teams. Spirit got in behind the Strikers defence early with a Chelsea goal.
Strikers dominated territory in the second half and had a few short corners but couldn’t capitalise. Spirit had a short corner late in the game with Binuli clinching the win.
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 4-1
Great to be back after a couple of weeks without a match. Fortunately, the Strikers didn’t miss a beat, starting the game well despite some injuries and illness in the squad this week seeing some more positional swaps and Arthur moving into the goalie position where he did a great job. The Strikers got the first goal of the game through Bella and the team moved the ball well using the width of the field with Maidie finding space on the wing and Riley making some excellent traps at half back.
At half time Kurt was keen to see the team spreading out a bit more through the midfield, looking to find passes on the 45-degree angle and take the first option when a shot presented. The game got a bit tight when Geelong scored the first goal of the second half to level the game, but some aggressive passing in the circle created more opportunities and Bella and Cormac were able to add goals and secure the win.
Overall, Kurt was happy with the way the team ran the game out, especially with no bench this week, and the focus will remain on spreading from the ball and using width both across the field and through the midfield.
Under 17
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 2-8
It was a chilly 11 degrees at Stead Park for the U17 Spirit game. Kardinia came out strong with an early goal, however this was quickly responded to with a strong hit by Leo from the back, that saw the ball head to Felix in the forward line and most importantly in our D which allowed Max to score.
A great play from the back line saw Spirit score their second goal from a short corner that was pushed out by Max, to Nate and then scored by Ruby. First half scores Kardinia 4 Spirit 2.
The second half saw Kayla and Madden having to work hard in defence to stop goals. Ruby had some really good clearances and Karla was in some really good positions forward for when the ball came her way. During the second half pressure was applied by all but in particular Hugh and Tessa. Spirit showed resilience and had some really good opportunities for goals towards the end of the game.
Hamish on the wing was vital in getting the ball towards Spirit’s forward line, his determination this game saw him be voted player of the match by his team mates.
With only one on Spirit’s bench, playing Kardinia that had four on their bench, the Spirit team really played an amazing game. Finally scores were Kardinia 8 Spirit 2.
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 1-1
After a 0-8 result against Torquay in Round 1 of this hockey season, this was an excellent game for Strikers. Goal scored by Luca, with great teamwork and strong defence all across the field.
Division 1 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Newtown Strikers 15-0
Newtown Falcons and Strikers played each other on the weekend. While it was a little strange playing an intraclub game, the game was competitive and fair. Falcons defeated the Strikers thanks in part to Nik (a.k.a. Postman Pat) scoring several goals from the post. It was great to have Marty back in goals after an extended break in Europe.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints 0-1
The first half of the game saw the Newtown defence holding firm against a number of Saints attacks and shots at goal. Ainsley and Ruby worked well together, cutting off the path to goal for Saints, and great marking by Georgia and Charlotte in midfield didn’t allow Saints free rein.
The second half saw Newtown gain some momentum in attack, with a number of 3 and 4 pass sequences getting us into the goal scoring zone. Great running from Audrey and Hailey, and Jane’s return from holidays provided some speed which gave us an advantage on the left. The defence continue to meet the ball early, with no short corners to defend in the second half.
The game could have gone either way. Unfortunately it was Saints who were on the scoreboard and ran out winners but there were lots of positive aspects for Newtown and we look forward to more great games.
Division 2 Men
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Falcons 0-15
With both teams short of players, the game required great efforts from all players, and they gave 100%. A busy welcome back for Marty in goals, who absorbed the pressure and kept on keeping.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 4-5
What a wet and miserable day… perfect hockey weather.
Great to see Tash getting back from injury, with some great runs up forward paying off in a beautiful shot in the bottom left corner, linking in beautifully with Hanna, Grace and Claudia up forward. Georgie and Deb were running the middle, with a couple of scrappy conversions from the pads off short corners.
Thanks heaps to Kat and Charlotte who shuffled back into defence this week. Great marking from Dee and Kat helped keep the score line down. Kirsty led from the back with some great chatter this week which enabled Charlotte to sneak forward a bit. But not enough for her liking, with a quick stint in the inner she was able to do some great carrying and convert a goal.
Solid defence from Claire this week, unlucky with a shot that was in/outside the circle…. Probably in… I don’t think it earns her a spot on the own goal legends scoreboard though… But the season is still young 😉
Great to hear Paul’s positive support from the bench. The final score was 5-4 loss, but we were totally catching them. Especially when we started our come back from 3-0 down. Nice work guys.
