Happy new year all! First action for the U14 Girls in 2015 was in the IndoorHockey15, 5-a-side tournament at Brentwood leisure centre. The tournament featured 10 quality sides broken into two pools hailing from Essex and as far afield as exotic Ipswich and Canterbury. The Crostyx squad was:-

(Talia Blanco (GK), Lara Chick, Ruby James, Saskia Murphy, Jessie Brown, Isabella Zurawska, Demi Evarschi, Clemency Day-Fawcett, Lucy Leel (C) ) were drawn in Pool A. Matches consisted of 10 minutes of fast play.

First up was Ipswich East Suffolk (IES). The game kicked off with confusion over rules between both sets of players, supporters and at times (as throughout all games) the girls needed direction from the sidelines. The supporters’ situation was much improved with the arrival of Paul Murphy and his commentary. Lots of end to end play kept the GK’s busy and the hooter ended the game at 1 -1 with Lucy scoring first.

Next up were a strong Havering side and the girls unfamiliarity with
indoor rules continued to show. Despite a brave performance from Crostyx with non-stop defending, the game ended at 2-0 in Havering’s favour.

Third game of the day was against Hertford. A much better game played out with the girls showing more of the skills they have been demonstrating in being top of their outdoor league. A fast game
ended at 2-1 in Crostyx favour with Lucy scoring both. Final game of the Pool was Canterbury who had looked strong in their previous games. Strong defending and goalkeeping by Crostyx limited
Canterbury and the game ended at 1-0 to Canterbury.

The tournament then moved into playoffs for final positions between both pools. Suddenly a curve ball was thrown into the day with Crostyx tying with IES on results and goal difference. Penalty
shoot out time! Nominated shooters were Lucy, Lara and Demi with Talia in goal, with some rapid sideline coaching going on from Neil and Tim. The supporters suspected not much penalty shootout practice had gone on.

As Lucy strode confidently up to kick off proceedings absolute quiet fell in the supporters gallery. After what seemed an age the whistle blew and Lucy drove the ball towards goal, with the IES GK rapidly closing her down. As they met she sidestepped, swivelled and the ball found the backboard. The crowd went mad. 1 – 0.

IES then were up against Talia. At the whistle Talia closed fast on the shooter and trapped the ball between her pads. As she moved to clear the ball she was unlucky to be outmanoeuvred by the IES player who scored. 1 – 1. Demi was next for Crostyx. The whistle went and she attacked. The IES GK ran at her and collapsed onto the ball ending her chance. The next IES shooter swept the ball forward but Talia was quicker - she intercepted and kicked the ball to the other end of the hall. No time for retrieval. Lara then came forward for Crostyx. She drew the GK out and managed to get the ball just out of reach, took a shot at goal, but the angle was just too tight and it bounced off the post. The last IES shooter took their turn. Again Talia was too fast
and swept the ball cleanly away.

Both sides had taken 3 penalties and the score stood at 1 -1. Next up sudden death. Up in the supporter gallery the valium was being passed around. The order switched and IES were up first. Their shooter drew Talia out and scored. 2-1. For Crostyx Lucy repeated her moves and found the goal. 2-2. IES took their turn but yet again Talia was out and the ball was swept away to the other end. 2 -2. The advantage was with Crostyx. Demi came forward and swept to the right drawing the GK, who dived at the ball stopping it with back of her stick. Penalty flick awarded to Crostyx. This allowed for a swap of shooter and Lucy stepped forth. The GK dived to the right but Lucy flicked to the centre. Crostyx wins and judging by the reaction of the crowd they may have as well won the Tournament!

The penalty shootout result meant the girls played off against Blue Hornets for fifth/sixth place. The emotion of the shootout may have been too much – the girls went down 5-0 to a great Hornets team living up to their name.

All the girls and supporters enjoyed a great day at this well organised tournament. A very deserving Talia was voted ‘Man of the Tournament’ for superb goal keeping. The excitement of the shootout for sure made up for a mixed bag of results. Old Loughts won the Tournament with
Canterbury runners up.

Stephen Leel

Parent