Horsham Ladies will be the visitors to Footes Lane on Sunday 9 November for round one of the England Hockey Women’s Tier Two Knockout. And it will be a very different home XI lining up, looking to send them home winless.
New first-team coach Daniel Griggs knows his squad face a tough task against the side currently competing in the South-East Women’s Premier Division but is confident they are up to the challenge.
‘The season ahead is full of possibilities and less predictable than previous years,’ he said.
‘Three Island stalwarts have retired, four of the stronger younger players have relocated off island and there are two long-term injuries. As a result, lots of exciting younger players have come into the training group and they will be given every chance to fulfil their potential.’
Names to look out for include Emily Maclaughlin – a quick and skilful defensive player – Katie Smith, Jenny Mahe, Lara Veillard, Claudia Bailey and Jess Mahy. All are under 18 but will certainly be pushing for places in the starting line-up.
The newcomers will slot into the squad alongside several familiar faces, each with plenty of appearances under their belts.
‘Having the experience of Mix Byrom and Lucy Waldrom still in the group is invaluable. They are a great influence both on and off the pitch. The younger players can now see close-up the level of commitment and skill they must aspire to in training as well as the matches.’
As well as competing for their individual clubs in Guernsey Hockey’s Ladies’ League at weekends, the first-teamers also play as Ladies First XI in the Men’s Division Two on Friday evenings – a chance to build team understanding and get used to a more physical style of play.
‘Horsham will be tough. They play in a strong competitive league every weekend, we play against a bunch of fellas on Friday nights,’ said Griggs.
‘Nevertheless, with a strike force of Mia Lloyd-Jones, Tash Symes, Nicole Hewlett-Domaille and captain Lucy Waldrom we’ve got grit, fight and no shortage of skill.
‘At the back we have a combination of experienced and young, quick defensive players surrounding “the Wall” Mix Byrom. Whatever the outcome the ladies deserve a big game to look forward to.’
The squad will be finalised and announced in the next couple of weeks.
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