U18 Girls vs EH T1 Plate Final vs Bath Buccaneers

For the final match of the season, CCHC U18 Girls took to the road to play Bath Buccaneers in the Tier 1 Plate Junior Club Championships at the Nottingham Hockey Centre. They arrived early on a grey morning yet bright, keen and eager to play.

While coach, Rod Journeaux, couldn’t be with them he sent wise words of encouragement – ‘enjoy the experience, pass hard, be ruthless in the D, and keep supporting each other’.  W1 and Australian International, Maddy Murphy was an awesome substitute on the day, full of energy, enthusiasm and experience delivering Rod’s game plan and her own insights.

Bath had first push back and started strong until they crumbled under the pressure City applied in the press. A quick interception from May started the first threat as she drove it down the right and crossed it to Connie on P spot. Imi was able to score from the rebound and secure a vital early first goal, just 6 minutes in. City kept the intensity high and played well together, utilising the array of talented youngsters on the pitch. 

At the back, it was a masterclass in composure and calmness from Charlotte and Meg with well drilled transfers and providing nothing but trust to the team.  This was complimented with Kate, Fenella, Katie and Lexi who maintained possession, communicated well, mixing it up in the middle with early long balls and short fast progressions to hose with pace up front. May scored the second goal from a culmination of passes linking up to the forward line which left City with a more comfortable lead of 2-0 going into half time.

City came out strong at the start of the second half aiming to hit Bath hard with super high intensity. It paid off with Jess’ determination and power resulting in a goal a minute after the whistle. 3-0 to City. Bath rallied and matched City’s intensity with strong, physical play while being boosted by their vocal supporters on the side-lines. Both teams battled hard and short corners were given both attacking and defensively. 

Naomi made some great, pivotal saves including a drag-flick from a short that came at speed and directed the team well from the back. 

The tension was high - Bath dug in and were increasingly frustrated by the relentless and sustained play from City which resulted in pair of yellow cards for the opposition. Back in action, City pressed on with creative play from Eva and Jess who put their distribution skills into action. Imi gained possession in the middle, passed it out wide to Connie who dribbled down the baseline and pulled it back for Imi to slap it into the bottom corner, bagging her second goal. It was looking good at 4-0 – comfortable but not yet safe. 

Sealing the match, the final goal came from an attacking short corner from May who received the ball from top D and got a rebound with a great reverse shot, slotting the ball into the net! 

City walked away with 5 cracking, well worked team goals, a clean sheet and of course the Championship title doing the themselves, coaches, parents and club proud.   

Congratulations and well done to all -  well deserved result from superb play and great teamwork. What a way to end the season!