U14 Boys vs Alton (Friendly)

On Sunday morning the U14 Boys took on Alton in a friendly. Playing the game in quarters to allow additional coaching and easier team changes, Petersfield started in a bit of a muddle. Two minutes later and Alton had cut through midfield and defence to sweep the ball in. This was repeated a few minutes later and it looked a little ominous. A rare attack saw Petersfield press forward at pace with Alton only managing to keep the ball out via a defender's foot on the line. Eddie Kershaw confidently tucked away the resulting penalty flick. Despite this boost, we were again sliced apart and overwhelmed in our D. This made it 3-1 after just the first quarter. It could have been more without the diving efforts of Alex Temple in goal.

However, a rejig of our shape and a firm focus on the back three relentlessly marking the Alton front line suddenly gave us the foundation we needed. Attacks were now being blunted by Rupert Redgrave as Central Defensive Midfield supported by his two halves Hector Bhattacharjee and Alfie Scott-Charles/Ethan Lawler. As a result the ball started to flow out of midfield to the wings with Wilf Vincent, Ollie Morley and Henry Peers making repeated forays to the baseline causing Alton to be firmly on the back foot.

From one of these attacks the ball bounced out of the D only to be pounced upon by Alfie who played it back in for Ethan to try and guide it home only to see his deflection blocked, but on hand was Eddie to slot the ball home. With Alton adding one of their own the second quarter was a 1-1 draw. Much better.

A combination of Xavier Ashwell, Thomas Bartlett, Thomas Handslip and Henry Marshall locked down the defence while Olly Heapy roamed in front to break up attacks and fire the ball back up field. So successful was the marking that the third quarter ended 0-0.

The final quarter saw relentless pressure from Petersfield. Probably the best hockey we have played this season. Max Oatley at last receiving the ball in and near the D with shots from him, Eddie and Wilf all nearly finding their mark. Somehow Alton held only to score a goal themselves in a moment when we lost concentration, swarming to the ball instead of remaining marking our players.

So whilst the 2-5 scoreline looks like Alton had the best of it, actually the score was 1-2 over three quarters of the match and even then Petersfield had the majority of the chances. We improved our shape, learnt to mark, moved the ball hard and fast and even tried to work the ball around a little. So much better. We have the beating of Alton when we meet in the league if we can just apply that style of play from the off. Great effort well done boys and thanks for holding firm in goal Alex.

Also thanks to Anna Lawler for some yummy cookies as match tea, a lovely way to end the match.