England Hockey Boys’ U18 Plate

Wotton Under Edge U18 3

Plymouth U18 2

WOTTON-under-Edge U18 Boys took on Plymouth in the first round of the England Hockey Boys’ U18 Plate 2016/17 and won 3-2 on Sunday.

Wotton got off to a great start with a goal in the first minute; immediate pressure following the pushback resulted in a sideline ball on the 22.

It was taken quickly and Michael Buist took the ball around a player and finding himself in space at the top of the D buried it bottom corner.

For most the rest of the first, half both teams were reasonably even and both pushing in the attack, which kept ‘keeper Charlie Thomas on his feet and averting most of the danger.

However, a Plymouth penalty corner though saw the home team equalise.

Wotton kept pressing and a second goal came from Pat Carr; one of Buist’s skilful runs, delivered the ball through to Carr to deflect it beautifully into the back of the net.

Again, however, Plymouth evened the score, with an almost identical drag flick, though this time to the left corner.

Good work from Hayden Brewer and Seb Culpepper down the flanks meant Wotton’s boys were in the hunt for the rest of the half, but the score was still 2-2 at halftime.

Into the second half Wotton had most of the possession and started to dominate, keeping Plymouth pressed in their half.

With hard work from David Holt, preventing Plymouth from clearing their lines, and Dan Jones’ pressure, the visitors managed to create a lot of chances but often the final pass just didn't stick.

It was Buist again who took Wotton into the lead, slipping past their defenders once more and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Wotton dominated the second half and closed out the game with a win to progress to the next round of this year’s six-round Plate.

The final of this competition will be held at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, situated on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.