Ladies 2nd - Challenge cup semi final
Posted by Nobody on 6 February 2020
On Sunday 2nd February, Carmarthen 2XI travelled to Sports Wales National Centre in Cardiff to compete in their Hockey Wales Challenge Cup Semi-Final.
After missing out in the semi-final the last few seasons, a strong Carmarthen team were determined to make this the year they qualified for the Hockey Wales National Final.
Carmarthen started with first push and from this first phase of play Carmarthen were attacking in Bridgend’s ‘D’. A clear out by the Bridgend goalie and defenders made Carmarthen aware that to get passed this strong Bridgend defence, they will have to use effective 1,2’s with their team mates.
Centre midfielders Lucy Davies, Kate Howell and Carys Thomas held strong in the centre to feed the ball out to the forwards in the first quarter to build up promising play from Carmarthen. Carmarthen were unfortunate to not get a goal in the first quarter after some goal saving dives by the Bridgend goalkeeper.
The second quarter started and some strong hits down the wing by Bridgend put Carmarthen’s defenders to work. Defenders Leia Thomas, Ffion Evans, Ellie Routley and Marianne Spratt were on hand to clear the ball away with ease with Lowri Davies putting in some cracking saves under pressure to keep the score at 0-0 this quarter.
The third quarter started and Carmarthen’s press started to stop all these hits trying to break through. Wingbacks Mari Davies and Rhian Moremon plugging in the gaps allowed possession to be turned over straight away to feed the forwards Siriol Richards, Mirain Morgan, Charlotte Harries and Ffion Raymond down the wings where Carmarthen were starting to be more mobile in the ‘D’. Carmarthen were unfortunate not to gain any goals in this quarter but knew that a goal was coming and started the last quarter confident.
Straight from the whistle in this last quarter, Carmarthen started to attack with pace and speed, using each other to get passed some experienced Bridgend players. A ball from Davies in the centre found Morgan in the ‘D’ who had no problem finishing this goal off to get Carmarthen in the lead, 1-0.
Carmarthen did not waste anytime after this where they gained possession straight away and within a minute of the first goal, a quick taken ball by Charlotte Harries found Ffion Raymond on the post who slotted a second one away to extend Carmarthen’s lead. By this point Carmarthen were playing great hockey, using each other well where Scarlett Mackenzie-Jones gave some great balls down the wing to keep the ball in Bridgend’s 25 for most of this quarter. Pressure by Bridgend in the last minute was no problem for Evans who cleared every ball in her path until that final whistle. The final whistle blew 2-0 to Carmarthen, qualifying for their first ever Cup Final.
Man of the match from Carmarthen was awarded to Mirain Morgan for her attacking drive all game and her excellent skill displayed throughout.
Captain Harries would like to thank all the supporters, coaches and managers who contributed to Carmarthen making this final, will see you in Cardiff for the Final on May 2nd/3rd!
