The Friary Hockey Squad made the most of a fortunate opportunity to train at Lichfield Hockey Club recently, taking full advantage of the full-sized pitch to sharpen their skills ahead of upcoming fixtures. With extra sessions focused on match play and short corner routines, the team showed promising signs of progress and cohesion.
The training game saw Year 7 newcomers Henry Bryan and Izzy Bailey shine Elsewhere, Jasmine Fayle anchored the central midfield with poise, supported by Lucy O’Connell and Tabitha Riley, who made some elegant runs through the lines. In defence, Oscar Foy (Y8) continued his reliable form with crucial goal-line stops, while Jack Sowden applied pressure on attackers, forcing errors and disrupting play.
Up front, Isaac Adams and Larry Evans caused chaos for the opposition defence, though their finishing let them down on the day. At the back, Joanna Jones-Gallardo and Violet Holland remained solid as ever, with Ed Bytheway offering additional support. The defensive unit faced a barrage of shots from Alex Price and George Walker, who delivered some powerful balls into the D.
Natalie Walker, now representing Lichfield Ladies, continues to be a pillar of consistency and commitment. Her weekly appearances and tireless work rate, including some well-timed tackles, set a great example for younger players.
Kim Fallows, team coach, was full of praise for the squad, particularly the new Year 7s stepping up with confidence: “It’s a delight to see players like Henry and Izzy holding their own against older teammates. It’s always encouraging to hear positive feedback from umpires about the strength and spirit of our players here at Friary. With such promising performances and growing team chemistry, Friary Hockey looks well-prepared for the challenges ahead.”
