Bright future for Halifax’s young starlets
HALIFAX HOCKEY Club’s U10s girls B team showed fantastic promise in their first ever tournament outing.
Of their six games, the youngsters won two, drew three and lost only one to a late strike.
Edie Jones conceded only one goal while at the other end of the pitch, Hannah Veal netted two and Olivia Scholefield scored another.
Isla Flesher-Smith showed maturity beyond her seven years and worked tirelessly for the team and Hollie Brennan and Olivia Moore also impressed.
Savannah Earle and Rose Rooke worked hard in midfield with Earle going close to scoring on a couple of occasions and Shamritha Kumars made some excellent tackles in defence.
The results may prove to be enough for the team to be promoted for the next tournament in February.
After their promotion to Division Three, the U10s girls A team had their first outing of the year and were slow to get started, losing 1-0 to Rotherham and holding Thirsk to 0-0 draw.
There was good defensive work from Connie Wood and Darcy Hancock and although Jessica Sanderson and Lucy Hampshire put pressure on the opposition defence they were unable to find the net.
Halifax were unlucky to lose 1-0 to Wakefield in the third game, with Evelyn Rooke a threat in attack and Ava Greenwood making a string of crucial saves in goal.
In a goalless draw against Northallerton, Sanderson shone in defence, and Halifax broke their duck in the final game against Selby, Hampshire scoring a fine goal.
Wood, Grace Boam and Scarlett Dodds defended superbly and they were unlucky to concede a goal in the dying seconds as the game ended 1-1.
Playing in the Yorkshire Division Two tournament at Doncaster, Halifax U16s girls A team faced the hosts first and there was strong midfield play from Amelie Horner and Georgie Westwood, who pounced on a loose ball to score the only goal of the game.
Isobel Crowe scored both goals for Halifax in their 2-0 win over Leeds Adel.
The defence of Ella Cahill, Hazel Allen and Amelia Bizley battled hard to keep Adel out and goalkeeper Georgia King made crucial saves.
Halifax ended the day with a 0-0 draw with Ben Rhydding, courtesy of great work from Libby Baldwin, Ciara Brennan and Mia Ghosh. In the tense final moments, King made several fantastic saves to ensure that Halifax finished top of the league.
They will play the next tournament in Division One as one of the top four teams in Yorkshire.
The U16s B team were forced to field an inexperienced team and they lost their games against Selby A team and Wakefield B but were a credit to the club and played some excellent hockey.
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