A great team performance

A sunny Sunday morning, saw the Gosport U12 Boys team line up against Hamble who did the double over us last year scoring about 20 goals in the process. This season however the Gosport youngsters are fitter and meaner and are playing some great team hockey.

The first period was pretty close, but the Hamble keeper was certainly the busiest of the keepers. Elliott's first goal of the game was the difference at the end of the first period. Gosport were causing plenty of problems for Hamble, with Freddie and Daniel pulling the strings in the middle, and Jay and Ephraim tormenting the away teams full backs with speed and skill.

The second period saw much of the same, but Hamble were settling into the game and were starting to put together some attacks, but could not find their way through the defensive quartet. Elliott added his second goal of the game, and Hayden followed up with his first goal for the U12s.

The final period really saw the hard work Gosport have been putting in on the training pitch really pay off. Hamble really started to tire, but the shuttle runs before each training session saw the Gosport team really take a hold of the game. Alex Holyer was driving the ball up the pitch from centre back and the interplay and passing from the players was creating chance after chance. Goals for Alfie, Daniel, Jacob and another 2 for Elliott, who was denied his 5th by the umpire blowing time moments before the ball crossed the line, delivered an impressive 8 nil win for Gosport.

The team are starting to fire now, the work rate is really impressive, with good well thought out passing, and dogged closing down and tackling. With a big squad today every player worked hard and contributed to the result. There are likely to be tougher games a head, but if this team keep playing this way they will continue to pick up points this season.

Mike Higgins