Double success for Under 16's
Posted by Nobody on 13 November 2011
C&NW Under 16's hosted both Olton and Worcester on Sunday in the England Hockey U16 Championship.
Olton won convincingly against Worcester in the first match scoring 6 without reply.
The second game between Olton & Coventry proved to be the match of the day.
C&NW had the early pressure manufacturing two good goal scoring chances without converting either, Olton then pressed forward forcing the Coventry defence back into their own half. The game was fiercely fought by both sides with neither giving any quarter.
Olton keeper Leadbetter saved well from a penalty corner drag flick and Merrel in the Coventry goal was tidy throughout, dealing with the few chances Olton created , on the one occasion he was beaten Bhavan Thiara was on hand to clear the Coventry line. Although Coventry generate most opportunities the game remained deadlocked with neither able to work the opening.
Coventry lost skipper Matt Kettley to a yellow card but the remaining ten men held strong until his suspension was over. Then in the final minute of this fierce contest a long ariel ball from Kettley found Chris Sewell just outside the Olton area and he in turn pushed the ball on to Robbie Astin who's initial shot was well saved but he made no mistake with the rebound. Olton appealed loudly claiming that Sewell had used his body to control the ball but neither of the two umpires were moved and the goal stood, leaving C&NW victors by the slightest of margins.
Coventry’s second game against Worcester turned out to be a more convincing victory, Worcester fought hard throughout and created some good scoring opportunities but the absence of a large squad saw them tire in the second game as Coventry made frequent substitutions. Early goals from Robbie Astin and Tom Morgan helped the home side take control and Kettley made it 3-0 before half time. Second half goals from Chris Sewell and a second from Tom Morgan made the final score 5-0 to Coventry.
The side play Shrewsbury and Edgbaston on the 27th November and are hoping to book their place in the next round.
