Tough away-day test

Published 27 Oct 2009 12:00

Clydesdale 2nd XI 1 Loch Lomond 0

THIS top-of-the-league encounter was always going to be a tough match, but with Loch Lomond having five regular players missing it was an even tougher test.

However, the youngsters who stepped up to the plate acquitted themselves well.

In the first half Loch Lomond gave the Clydesdale team too much respect and a lack of self-belief allowed the home side to come at the Loch Lomond defence from the first whistle.

The visiting defenders managed to keep the attackers at bay and their keeper Anne McGregor had very few saves to make in this half.

Statistically, Loch Lomond were the team who managed to force the Clydesdale keeper to make the most saves in the first half.

After a stiff team talk at half time, Loch Lomond started to believe that they could take something from this match and began to play some good linking hockey.

The Loch Lomond midfield pushed forward and forced the Clydesdale defenders to make some last-ditch clearances. It was end to end play for a big part of this half and the game could have gone either way at times but keeper McGregor pulled off some fantastic saves to keep the visitors in the hunt.

In the last 15 minutes of the half, some of the Clydesdale players were getting frustrated and this resulted in some stern words from one of the umpires.

With around 10 minutes to go it was Clydesdale who were to break the deadlock. Loch Lomond had a free-hit at their defending D and unfortunately possession was lost in midfield just as some substitutions were being made which resulted in Loch Lomond being a player down at the moment the Clydesdale forwards were able gain back possession.

They were then able to take advantage of being five against four. The shot at goal was blocked by the Loch Lomond keeper, but deflected over her and the stick of left back Helen Malcolm who had made it back to the goal line but was unable to keep the ball out of the net.

This was a good match with some flowing hockey played by both teams. Loch Lomond have nothing to fear from any team in this league if they can continue to field a strong squad and play with the self-belief and determination that they showed in the second half of this match.

Player-of-the-match award goes to Annie Carroll, runner-up to Anne McGregor, who also received the player of the match award from the Clydesdale team.

LOCH LOMOND: Anne McGregor, Helen Malcolm, Caroline Lyall, Lizzie McIlroy, Emma Stewart, Caroline Wylie, Katrina Wylie, Annie Carroll, Holly Reid, Jenny Cuthbertson, Kirsten Bruce, Caleigh Bradbury, Emily Carroll, Evie Harkins.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 27 Oct 09

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