Saturday Update – 7th September 2024
It was the start of the new season for our Vikings mixed teams, and hot weather made conditions tiring for some tough matches.
Vikings unfortunately only managing 2 wins this weekend out of our 6 matches.
Vikings Mixed A (2 – 0) Harlequins Mixed A
Our Mixed A team were up against Harlequins Mixed A and this was a competitive match to start the season.
Vikings looked dangerous on the attack on many occasions, but the new addition of Will Hassle has made a big impact for Harlequins with the heat making the game difficult for both sides.
Special shout out to Will Bridson who played the entire game, a top effort given the conditions.
Some great goals from Kim Carney and Dom Hubble, Vikings possibly could’ve had more but many players shaking off the summer rustiness for a first game back.
Well played from all.
Player of the Match – Alex Andrew
Vikings Mixed B (1 – 6) Bacchas Mixed A
The B team were always going to be up against it, facing Bacchas A in their first match.
An awesome performance by the B team however, they had more shots, more short corners and more attacking opportunities than Bacchas A until the last 10 minutes when tiredness kicked in and Bacchas took advantage.
Until the last 10 minutes on one of the hottest days in years for hockey, Vikings B had the upper hand and it was only some wayward finishing that was the difference.
Kyle Gunnion grabbing a consolation goal for the B team in this one.
Player of the Match – Alex Birch
Vikings Mixed C (1 – 11) Castletown Southerners
The heat took it’s toll again, this time on the C team who faced a strong Castletown team.
But even with the weather being so hot and limited water breaks, Vikings C POTM Brayden Masterson didn’t stop and kept on trying even when the rest of the team were all exhausted and having conceded numerous goals.
Even with such a large goal difference, the C team walked off the pitch still having enjoyed the game due to the Castletown players being so nice and such good fun to play against.
Josh Kaighin managed to open his account for the season with the only goal for Vikings in this match.
Player of the Match – Brayden Masterson
Vikings Mixed D (1 – 8) Ramsey Mixed A
Vikings D, fresh from their league promotion were given a stern test against Ramsey A who were demoted from the premiership last season.
It was always going to be a tough ask for Vikings to get much out of this game, but a tremendous defensive performance and some great stops from young Will Hampson in goal kept the scoreline to 1-0 by the end of the first half.
However, as the second half wore on Ramsey managed to add two more to their tally, but not to be undone, a quick break and a superb snap shot from Richie Gelder at the top of the D gave Vikings some reward for their efforts.
But as the heat and tiredness got to the Vikings players, the pace and skill of the Ramsey players allowed them to add significantly to their score in the last 10 minutes of the match, with Will Hampson in goal being very unlucky not to keep out some of their efforts.
Player of the Match – Will Hampson
Vikings Mixed E (6 – 0) Ramsey Rookies
Our Mixed E team also had Ramsey opposition this week in the form of Ramsey Rookies.
Vikings pushed onto Ramsey straight from the off, but having to be wary to not get caught out by some of the more experienced and pacy Ramsey players.
The Vikings pressure paid off late in the first half, with Henry Stewart managing to square a ball across to Morgan Braidwood at the top of the Ramsey D, who then slotted the first goal into the bottom left to give the E team a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Straight from the off in the second half and Jacob Harding with a smart finish to get a second goal, followed by a tremendous top bins reverse hit from Henry Stewart (the goal of the game) to make it a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.
Henry, Morgan and Jacob continued linking up well in attack assisting each other for another goal each, with great energy from Ciaran Stephens in midfield keeping the pressure on Ramsey.
Also a big well done to all our debutants this weekend all fitted into the team nicely, with Jansen Montalban giving an accomplished performance at centre back.
Player of the Match – Henry Stewart / Jansen Montalban
Vikings Mixed U15 (3 – 4) Ramsey Rogues and Rascals U15
The U15s did brilliantly this week and were unlucky to finish on the wrong side of a 4-3 scoreline.
The first half was a stalemate with the two teams cancelling each other out, but Ramsey came out of the blocks fast at the start of second half which resulted in 3 quick goals.
However, Vikings didn’t give up and got a goal back via Henry Stewart but then quickly Ramsey got another making it 4-1. Back came Vikings again making it 4-2 with a second goal for Henry, a third was then added after Theo Robertson found Emily Jacobs for her to bring the scoreline to 4-3.
The U15s pushed hard to grab another goal, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be with Vikings slipping to a first defeat of the season.
2 man of the match performances from Beatrice Avery and Theo Robertson, with all the Vikings players giving it everything in such hot conditions and they should be proud of their performance.
Player of the Match – Beatrice Avery / Theo Robertson
| Vikings Mixed A | 2 – 0 | Harlequins Mixed A | (Kim Carney, Dom Hubble) |
| Vikings Mixed B | 1 – 6 | Bacchas Mixed A | (Kyle Gunnion) |
| Vikings Mixed C | 1 – 11 | Castletown Southerners | (Josh Kaighin) |
| Vikings Mixed D | 1 – 8 | Ramsey Mixed A | (Richie Gelder) |
| Vikings Mixed E | 6 – 0 | Ramsey Rookies | (Morgan Braidwood 2, Jacob Harding 2, Henry Stewart 2) |
| Vikings U15 | 3 – 4 | Ramsey Rogues and Rascals U15 | (Henry Stewart 2, Emily Jacobs) |