London Wayfarers Hockey Club entered a team into the Southern Counties Clubs Championships for the very first time and our Girls U12s Finished in 3rd place.
A fantastic performance and result by our Girls U12s team as they played against the best teams of the eight counties that make up the Southern Counties – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex. There were some moments when it looked like London Wayfarers would be going home early, and moments when it looked like we might go all the way!
Big congratulations to the girls and of course also a huge thank you to our coaches and volunteers – Angela, Barbara, Richard, Fiona and team coach Finn. Also well done to the exemplary group of parents and thank you for all your support on the sidelines in what was an emotional rollercoaster of a day.
The Group games
Group Match 1 : London Wayfarers vs Marlow 0-0
The London Wayfarers Wolverines started strongly and looked like scoring multiple times in the first few minutes. Marlow hardly made it out of their half, and did not get a shot in all game. But, despite all the possession, and doing nothing wrong, the Wolverines could not convert. The game ended goalless. A very disappointing start and the team were feeling a bit down. Guildford, one of the favourites who we had played in a pre-tournament match winning 2-1, were next. Time to up our game!
Group Match 2 : London Wayfarers vs Guildford 0-1
An excellent match with Guildford with the Wolverines nearly scoring numerous times and holding their own against a very good side. With just seconds to go Guildford broke free on a counter attack and scored with a great shot from the edge of the D.
One draw, one loss… BUT the maths worked that if we earned a good victory in our last group match London Wayfarers could still go through. Time to attack!
Group Match 3 : London Wayfarers vs Oxford 3-0
Within a minute from the start, Saskia P scored a very neat goal from the goal line. A second goal by Saskia P followed shortly after before Stella scored the third. London Wayfarers were dominant throughout. 3-0 was more than adequate to send us through to the next round in second place (on goal difference).
Knock out stages
Quarter Final : London Wayfarers vs Harrow 3-0
The quarter final was a longer match (2 x 10 mins). London Wayfarers were quickly on top and amongst the goal scorers this time were Caragh, Saskia P and Phoebe sealing the game.
We knew that next we would face Surbiton. In the Surrey Cup semi final we had lost a close game 1-0.
Semi Final : London Wayfarers vs Surbiton 1-5
Early on in the game Surbiton got a short corner and Stella pulled a calf muscle running out. Suddenly we were a player and a goal down. The Wolverines rallied and had more possession and shots on goal through the first half. Tara scored the goal of the day (reverse stick from the edge of the D) to get London Wayfarers back to 1-1 just before half time. Surbiton proved very adept on the counter attack in the second half. They got an early goal and then followed up with more as the Wolverines pushed to equalise the score. The final scoreline was not flattering for a match where for a large part it looked like London Wayfarers could actually win.
Play Off 3rd & 4th place : London Wayfarers vs Reading 0-0 (1-0 on penalty flicks)
A tired match for 3rd / 4th place followed, with neither team seeming to have much energy and create opportunities to score. London Wayfarers had a couple of chances, but after 12 minutes, penalty flicks followed.
Reading missed their first, and then Eden made two spectacular saves to deny their second and third shots – all the hard work from Barbara with the GKs paid off! Caragh had hit her flick home, and so London Wayfarers celebrated and got their third place medal. Surbiton beat Guildford 2-1 in a close final – an identical result to the final of the Surrey Cup.
Well done to all the girls – Matilda, Anya, Saskia W, Stella, Eden, Saskia P, Tara, Phoebe and Caragh!
Good luck to our Girls U10s team who are playing in their Southern Counties Clubs Championships 2017 on Sunday 7 May.