02.12.09 - CLEAN SWEEP FOR COLTS INTO NEXT ROUNDS OF NATIONAL/REGIONAL EH CUPS:
Both the U16 and U18 Girls and Boys teams have progressed into the next round of their respective EH Cups with impressive performances on Sunday.
U18 Girls v Teddington (H): What a game... 9 goals ... 2 hat tricks ... two goal line clearances ... two goals disallowed... where do we start? The girls played their first ever game together against Teddington in the 3rd round of the EH Cup. Loughts had the better of the opening exchanges in the first 15 minutes of the game but failed to convert their chances, only for Teddington to take the lead with their one and only shot on goal in the first half. The home side rallied very quickly and Millie Morgan converted a scrappy touch in to draw level and converted a short corner to go in 2 - 1 up at the break. Loughts extended their lead within 1 minute of the break with Charlotte Pether adding the third. Then Loughts seemed to sit back or perhaps Teddington put their foot to the floor and came back into contention by pulling the score back to 3 -3 but the Girls did not drop their heads with some very good vocal support from the rain drenched supporters and started to again dominate the game with Player of the Match, Elisa Filarmonico dominating the midfield, making numerous defence splitting passes and incisive runs which eventually led to Millie Morgan getting her third, taking the score to 4-3. Elisa then converted a short corner rounding off a superb performance and making the score to 5-3. At that stage, you may have thought that Teddington may have thrown in the somewhat soaking wet towel, but to their credit they came back strongly and converted a short corner, to make the last 2 minutes rather nervy for coaches and supporters alike but Loughts managed to keep their composure and ran out winners 5-4. In the next round the girls have been drawn away to Harleston Magpies. We would like to thank all the parents that stood for 70 minutes in the pouring rain cheering the Girls on. Team: Rebecca Edwards, Anne Walkin, Rachel Dunning, Lucy Thayer, Chloe Jolly, Olivia Martin, Elisa Filarmonico, Charlotte Pether, Chloe Evans, Millie Morgan, Jemma Cresswell, Beth MacGregor.
U16 Girls v Sevenoaks (A): It was a thrilling and nail-biting match for the U16 Girls who travelled to Sevenoaks for the 3rd Round of the EH Cup on Sunday. They started their campaign brilliantly with a goal after four minutes from Captain, Holly Bolger but Sevenoaks fought back to equalise from a short corner. The team showed great resilience and determination and Anna Hubbard made a great strike to put Loughts back in front. Despite some excellent work by sweeper, Amanda Bacon, centre back Nicole Dunbar, defenders Henri Willberg and Emma Flynn, as well as a superb save under pressure by keeper Anusha Balasingam, Sevenoaks managed to win a short corner and levelled the score at 2-2 for half-time. After a positive tactics talk from coaches Jacqui Tribe and Graham Edwards and a fantastic "fire-in-the-belly/fight-them-on-the-beaches" motivational contribution from ace supporter Damian Bolger, the Girls came out even stronger and with renewed confidence and passion in the second half. With Jacqui's "not in our house" mantra ringing in their ears Charlotte Banks, Ellis Toms and Sophie Halls proved their strength in midfield keeping play in the Loughts end and helping to create opportunities for Holly, Anna and Kate Batson to mount an onslaught on the Sevenoaks goal. Super-subs Laura Edwards, Nicola Brown and Annabelle Juffs injected new stamina and refused to be beaten to the ball but despite some breath-holding near-misses and half a dozen short corners, Loughts failed to capitalise on their dominance and the game finished 2-2. Seemingly unfazed by the prospect of a penalty shoot-out, a scenario the team hadn't especially prepared or practised for, the girls quickly organised their line-up to take the shots: Anna, Nicole, Ellis, Charlotte and Holly. They may have been quaking inside but every one of them strode out looking confident and poised - appearing to the Sevenoaks side as if they had already won and certainly winning the psychological battle. Anusha, in her first ever penalty shoot-out, gave out the same strong signals to the opposition that this was just another day in the office for her. She saved their second shot on goal and almost took the third but for a questionable missed hit. It was all up to the Focused Five to keep their nerve and beat the opposition's keeper, who had kept many of their shots out during the game. But every one of them did just that and earned their place in the 4th round. Well done to all the girls for playing as a rock-solid team, supporting each other and sharing some great hockey skills. Special thanks to Jacqui and Graham and the travelling supporters who gave the girls so much vocal encouragement. The Girls will travel to Pelicans in the next round.
U16 Boys v Ipswich (A): In a stunning display at Tuddenham Road, Loughts U16 Boys overcame the odds to move into the last 16 of the EH Cup against a talented Ipswich side. Ten minutes in and already 2-0 down, thoughts of last year's heavy cup defeat must have been to the fore, however the boys regained composure and 2 excellent short corner routines brought Loughts level. The first a classic "back to the injector" routine saw Sean Holmes sweep home, followed swiftly by a clinical strike from James Albery as the defender moved off the post to mark Sean expecting a repeat performance. Loughts now dominated possession, with Steve Naven in majestic form and 2 fine passing moves saw first Jack Kempe and then James Padwick finish emphatically. Right on half time a fortunate deflection gave Ipswich a lifeline at 4-3. However, the boys continued to defend well led by Colan, David and Daniel and to attack with pace and guile through Connor and Harps. This was rewarded when a superb Josh Madeiros run and cross was deflected home by Dominic Jacobs. As expected, the onslaught came from Ipswich in the closing stages with a sustained period of pressure and a number of short corners, but the boys held firm with Perry Foster in particular making a world class save to deny them a route back into the game. A tremendous game and a wonderful team performance that the boys can be truly proud of. Team: Perry Foster; Daniel Samuel; David Samuel; Colan Chin; Sean Holmes; Stephen Naven; Connor Poulain; Harps Kalsi; Josh Madeiros; James Albery; Dominic Jacobs; Jack Kempe; James Padwick. The Boys have drawn Canterbury at home in the next round.
U18 Boys v Dereham (H): The U18s moved into the next round of the Cup when Dereham their opposition withdrew and the walkover has set up a tie at home on 14th Feb with City of Peterborough.
U14 Boys v Southgate (H): The U14s continued their winning streak with a 3-1 result in their final match of the initial round robin for the EH Regional Hockey Cup. Goals came from Andrew Macgregor, Rory Patterson and William Godfrey. This confirms their position at the top and a seeded place on finals day on 11th April.
» Click here to return to news index.
