Reports

Girls U18 Plate v Ipswich on 14.12.03

Unfortunately due to unavailability we had to field a young inexperienced team against a strong experienced team which was a bit demoralising for some of the players. However they did not give up and had several opportunities to score but a good performance by the Ipswich goalkeeper stopped even a consolation goal. Eventual score was an embarrassing 12-0 loss.

Girls U15 Cup 2003

There was heartbreak for Cambridge City U15 girls team on Saturday. Despite realising a dream by playing in the National Hockey Stadium at Milton Keynes, they lost 1-0 to Prince Henry's School, Evesham in the final of the National Girls Plate competition. On the way to the final during the last 8 months they have scored 24 goals and conceded only 1.

The final was a tight contest won by a solitary goal against the run of play when the Prince Henry's centre forward got behind the City defence after 15 minutes. Cambridge continued to apply pressure to the Prince Henry's defence, but, despite some flowing passing, could not get the ball past the impressive Prince Henry's goalkeeper. In the second half both defences tightened up but the few good chances City created could not be converted. As the clock ran down Prince Henry's girls managed to keep possession and the Cambridge City girls had to settle for runners-up spot.

"It was sad to lose our unbeaten record in this way." said Sally Tippen, City's manager. "These girls have worked very hard during the last few months and arguably played the better hockey in the final itself. To lose to only the second goal we have conceded in six rounds of the competition was a bitter blow but I'm very proud of them and I hope they value the experience more than the result."

Match reports can be viewed on the Cambridge Evening News web site on Wednesdays and Fridays.