GU16 Calypsos Play SHC Comets in T2 Cup
By Manfred Lam
A family affair with Comets hosting Calypsos for the second round of Tier 2 EH Cup in a busy afternoon at Reed’s. With a place in this knockout competition at stake, both sets of girls played out the match competitively as opposed to a friendly, despite the familiarity of players and coaches.
With Aiden being in charge of this game, Calypsos (in white) had a more offensive set up, playing the ball more directly with Miller channelling the distribution mainly from the back to front. The opener was a case in point with Miller finding Bryer who cut in from the right flank to fire the team ahead at the far post. The whites also used the flanks more than the last outings with both backs (Lam Fuentes and Bushell) pushing up to supplement the wings, Winter and Bryer. Our girls were able to find gaps in a tightly marked match as Winter fully exploited that with a well taken goal to consolidate the whites’ lead at the half time,
Despite the second half opening with an increasing number of stick tackles across the pitch from the greens, Calypsos managed to take hold of the midfield and keep the ball moving. Our goal attempts climbed steadily from the front line and mids. Henkes scored in the 33rd minute with a precise hit before the Comets hit back with a well-deserved effort of their own.
The whites duly applied more pressure, gaining a number of short corners which the greens defended studiously. Comets soon worked out how to defend the Whites (not surprising given both teams share the same training session!) but Calypsos turned on the heat and hit the opposition with some smart and aggressive link plays – Bryer and Winter each scored their second goals, and Beumer left the match with her signature reverse strike to the top right corner of the goal.
Job done and the Cup competition will return in the second half of January 2026 - we shall be anxiously waiting to see whether Calypsos draw one of the remaining two Surbiton teams.
Scorers: Bryer (2) Winter (2), Henkes, Beumer
Result: Calypsos 6-1 Comets (2-0 HT)