With all that the has happened in 2020 it was nice to have something to smile about and not just smile about, but be beaming ear to ear all day long after watching the awesome U16 Girls deliver a knockout blow to a very confident Petersfield team. Having come top of the Div 1 league in the U14s last season Petersfield were expecting an easy game against Andover, but the Andover girls were in no mood to be beaten and in a thrilling spectacle they went on to show the opposition just how hockey should be played.

Right from the whistle the AHC girls came out with all guns blazing. Within three minutes they drew the first blood with a lovely goal from Evie. This spurred the Petersfield players on and both sides attacked and repelled with determination, before Andover eased the pressure with another lovely goal from Polly. The game continued at pace with neither side resting on their laurels. Andover were able to neutralise the most dangerous and effective players from Petersfield frustrating them with dogged determination, never really letting them get in to their stride.

Petersfield showed why they had won last season as they dug in and continued to press the Andover defence. Working tirelessly and in well-disciplined mutual support, the defence withstood the relentless probes, before succumbing to a well worked cross that was defected in, in the 27th minute. Andover immediately rallied and from the push back they worked the ball up the right wing in to the D and after a number of shots the ball was finally pushed across the line by Jess, who was perfectly positioned to pick up a rebound on the left hand post just one minute after conceding. The score remained 3-1 going in to half time.

Expecting Petersfield to rally following the half time talk, Andover decided the best plan of action was to go on the assault and try to take the game and spirit away from the opposition. Showing some amazing composure and team effort in front of the goal, the ball passed from Liv to T to Jess and back to Liv before the opportunity and space to get the shot away allowed Liv to come back from a bad and painful blow to the knee to inflict her own just revenge just three minutes after returning to the pitch. Two minutes later Liv once again found the back of the net with a beautifully struck ball. Andover were in their stride and could sense victory. A well worked attack saw a great pickup and then pass from Indie in midfield to Liv just outside the D, find a perfectly positioned Lottie in the D near the back line, who deftly slipped the ball across the D to an awaiting T who slotted the ball away. Liv swiftly followed up with her hat-trick to make it four goals in just ten minutes of the second half.

The action continued at a pace with both sides continuing to play some gutsy, fully committed and unrelenting hockey that had the crowds on their feet appreciating the wonderful skill and teamwork being displayed. The scores remained 7-1 for quite some time before T had a spectacular strike from the top of the D end up in the top right hand corner of the net leaving the keeper with nothing to do but watch it go past. Unfortunately she had struck the ball a couple of inches outside the D so it could not count.

Petersfield came back in the 27th minute to sneak in a goal to regain some of their pride, with the game finishing up 7-2. All in all it was a beauty to behold. A really humdinger of a game with some amazing displays of fast paced, free flowing, inclusive hockey being played. Our first Div1 notch of the season….. hopefully the first of many.

Players Player was Liv for her Hat-trick and for her determination to get back after a bad blow on the knee cap.