Bower A v Club Hockey Benalmadena 0-0
On Wednesday, 26 March the Bower senior hockey team took on the Club Hockey Benalmadena girls team at their home ground high above the Spanish resort, holding them to a scoreless draw. Their coach, Ricky Davenport, who plays in the Spanish first division, also coached the Bower teams during their three day training camp.
The opening phases of the match were frantic, the Bower girls exerting pressure through crisp passing and solid defence from Lauren Kennedy, Ava McKee and Anna McGann. After fifteen minutes of play a fantastic steal by Lauren Kennedy relieved pressure on goalie Ellie McKeown and sent Anna McGann off on a great solo run the length of the pitch, only to be denied by an expert goalie. The first half was scoreless, despite the fact that Stephanie Igoe was everywhere, testing the Spanish defence.
The Spanish girls, who must be commended for their accurate and quick passing, were more aggressive in the second half, following tough words from their coach. However, Ellie McKeown was in form and her saves kept the match alive. Then it was the Bower’s turn to pile on the pressure using some moves learnt in camp that day. Strong in midfield, solid in defence, the biggest challenge was to get the ball past the goalkeeper despite lovely passing from Aoife Healy and Lucy McMickan up front. Emma Kennedy had a great shot at goal that was just wide while Anna McGann’s goal was disallowed as it was struck outside the circle.
As the evening air turned nippy the umpire’s whistle ended the match as a scoreless draw. Anna McGann had an excellent game and was so impressive in training that she was invited to play with the Benalmadena team this summer – if she can fit this in with her Connacht commitments!
Bower B v Club Hockey Malaga 0-4
The Bower B team took on the Malaga senior girls team at the same venue. Unfortunately, an opportunistic goal in the opening minutes of the fixture really put pressure on the Athlone girls.
They responded immediately with some nice play from Orla Geoghegan and Eva Kelly exerting pressure up front and some great saves from talented goalie Sarah O’Rourke denying the Malaga side.
Ciara Egan was everywhere in defence and as play ebbed and flowed, she and her team mates held out against the Spanish side until an expertly taken short corner raised the score to 2-0 at half time.
In the second half Julie Healy and Grace Fitzpatrick were both unlucky not to score. Sinead Reidy also fought hard as she tore down the pitch like a greyhound on steroids – but Malaga were rock solid in goal. Sophie Lowe and Orla Geoghegan threatened again but two short corners for the Spanish team were expertly taken to put the match beyond reach at 4-0.
This was a valiant effort from a young and fledgling Bower side up against a more senior and experienced side. They can be proud of the fact that they could match them on the pitch, but precision in passing and in taking short corners was what ultimately separated the sides.
The training camp was of huge benefit to the Irish girls who implemented attacking and defensive moves during matches and training. They look forward to using these in next year’s leagues.
