Thirsk U14 Girls played in the Yorkshire EHB Cup semi-final on Sunday 5th February at Wakefield HC. The match was with Doncaster, and it was a slow start from the Thirsk defenders which allowed an attack into the penalty circle from the right, creating an easy tap in at the back post. Thirsk started to play more confidently, with midfielders Millie Smith, Olivia Borchard, Holly Riddell and Penny Baker all in the game. From Thirsk’s first penalty corner, a slip move set up Connie Gill to get the equalizer. Hannah Slater came on as replacement on the right wing, and it was not long before she got on the scoresheet, as a cross field ball from Connie found her in the right post to tap in. It was really disappointing that we let Doncaster score a 2nd goal, in exactly the same way as the 1st goal, goalie Olivia Barber was left with no chance. But Thirsk went ahead again before half time, when Millie’s excellent through ball was met with a fine first touch from Amy Flintoff to beat their goal keeper.
The second half was equally as eventful, with our defense coping better, Mollie Disbury and Jamie Irvine both looking more assured. Up front we created more good chances, but maybe the choice of finishes letting us down at times. It stayed tense right until the end, with Doncaster getting a penalty corner near the end, but Thirsk defended defiantly, and held out for a 3-2 win.
A Yorkshire final was then played against the other semi-final winner, which was Wakefield. This was a very evenly contested game. Initially Wakefield created the better chances, shooting wide on two occasions. Olivia Barber also making a fine save, Penny and Holly worked hard to gain some control in midfield, and as the game progressed Thirsk became the stronger team. Two penalty corners were won through Fern Watson, and Connie, but neither chance was taken with their goal keeper making several good saves. Wakefield came back into it with a penalty corner, but it was well defended by Thirsk, leaving the game to finish 0-0.
A really good squad performance by all the girls, they upped their game when it mattered, and congratulations on qualifying for the North of England round of the EHB cup in April.