Carmarthen 2XI Challenge Cup First Round

Carmarthen 2XI- Challenge Cup First Round-

On Sunday 17th November, Carmarthen 2XI travelled to Swansea to compete in the first round of the Hockey Wales Challenge Cup Competition.

Carmarthen’s first game was against Risca 1XI. Carmarthen started strong with centre midfield’s Lucy Davies and Kate Howell structuring play well in the middle to allow an attacking drive from the forwards to start some promising play early on in the game. Carmarthen’s efforts were awarded with some unsuccessful short corner attempts against a strong Risca defence but this did not dishearten the young side as they continued to put pressure on Risca which lead to Charlotte Harries on the post who flicked the ball past the goalie to put Carmarthen in the lead. Carmarthen continued to keep this high standard of play up to finish their first game with a 1-0 win.

Carmarthen’s second game was against Cardiff Uni 5th’s. Carmarthen’s confidence had built and within a few minutes from the start whistle, a ball from Davies allowed Harries to get the ball into the back of the net putting Carmarthen into the lead, 1-0. Carmarthen used their width where wingbacks Anna Knuckles, Mari Davies and Rhian Moremon worked tirelessly to connect with the Tirion Evans and Scarlett Mackenzie-Jones in the top corners who worked the ball around the back line and into the ‘D’ to continue to hunt for a goal with some excellent unlucky shots by Bethany James also. However, Cardiff used their speed to quickly turnover the ball and put Carmarthen’s defence to the test. Carmarthen’s defence Marianne Spratt, Kate Williams, Leia Thomas and Ellie Routley worked strong as a unit to clear the ball back up the pitch and out of an dangerous situation for Carmarthen. The play for the last 10 minutes of the match was very back and fourth and during a strike that collied with Spratt’s head, Cardiff managed to get a goal on the scoreboard. The game finished 1-1.

Carmarthen’s last game was against Cardiff Uni 6th’s. With two hard first games, by this point Carmarthen were tired but their determination overridden this and they were rearing to go. With strong support for Carmarthen, it encouraged the team to keep pushing where Carmarthen used 1,2’s to create some lovely attacking play working with each other to get around Cardiff quick defence. Carmarthen continued to use the press effectively to keep the ball in Cardiff’s 25. Some strong hits into the ‘D’ by centre midfielder Carys Thomas gave Carmarthen some opportunities where a short corner was awarded. A 1,2 at the top of the ‘D’ with Harries and Mackenzie-Jones found Lucy Davies on the post who calmly put Carmarthen in the lead. Carmarthen fought until the very end of this match with strong breaks by Cardiff allowed Lowri Davies to keep cool under pressure to clear the ball away to keep the ball away from Carmarthen’s goal, final score, 1-0.

Carmarthen had an excellent day showcasing the skill, determination and team work this young team has which allowed them to qualify to the Semi-final of the Challenge Cup.

Carmarthen awarded their man of the tournament to Anna Knuckles for her speed, skill and overall performance making a massive impact to every game.

Carmarthen will continue to train hard this season to ensure that they are prepared and ready to go for the semi-final.