Match reports November

A very wet and windy day saw Loch Lomond receive a very feisty Argyle team. There is history between the two teams, but luckily for Loch Lomond, they have always been on the winning side. It is well known that Argyle are a very stubborn, aggressive and pushy team and they didn’t disappoint! Most of the game was a scrappy affair and difficult for Loch Lomond to break their style of play. Even though Loch Lomond had almost all the possession and plenty of opportunities, the team couldn’t score and in fact Argyle had a few lucky breaks but thanks to the fantastic saves by goal keeper Heather , the first half finished goalless.

After an encouraging half time talk by captain Vanesa, Loch Lomond stuck to the plan of what they are best known for: silky one-two and triangular passing. It was a much improved second half but still the Argyle defence was hard to break. Finally, after a fantastic team effort, Kim McC put the final touch to a lovely goal. Loch Lomond kept trying and trying to get a deserved second goal but their efforts didn’t pay off.

Once again, Argyle were fast on the counter-attack but thanks to even more fantastic saves by Smith the score remained 1-0. It was another gritty performance by the whole team to get a well-deserved 3 points.

Molly M got Player of the Match as her beautiful runs on the left gave the Loch Lomond team a bigger dimension and the Opposition Player of the Match was awarded to our keeper Heather for her outstanding saves.

Thanks to David for umpiring.

You can now follow the team on Instagram @lochlomondhockey

This weekend saw Loch Lomond 2’s travelling to Ayr. This was their first time coming across the opposition so had no way of knowing what the game was going to be like. However, from looking at the division table Loch Lomond expected it to be a tough game. The wind and rain were making their presence known before the game started and continued for the rest of the game. Loch Lomond came to Ayr with a full squad, however, during the warm up Naomi S took a knock to the head but they didn’t let this dampen their spirts and everyone put their all into this match.

Loch Lomond had a lot of possession in the first half with numerous shots at goal, some were just millimetres away from being slotted in by the forwards whilst others forced the Ayr keeper to make the save. However, the visitors were determined to follow on from their fantastic win last week and it was Naomi S who put Loch Lomond on the score sheet first.

From the re-start of play Loch Lomond lost concentration for a couple of minutes which allowed Ayr to run at the goal and score the equaliser. The midfielders worked tirelessly to connect the defence with the attackers which resulted in a Loch Lomond penalty corner on the half time whistle. With everyone pushed up they were unfortunate not to enter the second half 2-1 up.

A swift half time talk from coach, Anne McG about what was needed to turn chances into goals, seemed to do the trick. Not long into the second half Naomi again added to the score making it 2-1 to Loch Lomond. Ayr were relentless and weren’t giving up easily, but the Loch Lomond defensive five snuffed out any chances of them adding to their score.

Loch Lomond dominated much of the second half and, just as they finished the first half, they finished the second. The visitors were awarded another short corner. Kara K converted from a rebounded save to make the final score 3-1 to Loch Lomond II. A hard fought for win and another 3 points to their tally putting Loch Lomond II middle of the league table.

Opposition Player of the Match was Chloe H. Lucy M and Kara K received joint Player of the Match. Naomi was runner-up. Well done everyone.

A special thanks to Martin  for umpiring this weekend. Loch Lomond goal keeper smocks are sponsored by Millions, the tiny, tasty, chewy sweet.

From the start both teams struggled to negotiate the new, very sandy surface of the Hermitage pitch. Any home advantage was lost as both teams struggled to adjust their games to suit the slow surface. The first half of the match was very evenly matched, with the majority of the game being played in midfield. Captain Vanesa played her usual key role in the centre of the pitch, working well with her defense at keeping the Kelburne attacks at bay. There was a welcome return to the team by Hannah W., whose speed & enthusiasm allowed her to link well with Vanesa in taking the ball up the field in a series of good runs. There were however few chances on goal by either team. Just before half time, Kelburne were awarded 3 consecutive short corners, the last of which found the corner of the goal from a long strike. It was a cruel blow on the half time whistle.
1-0 Kelburne at half time.

The second half started out with both teams having more chances on goal. Loch Lomond keeper  ably defied the Kelburne attack by some good saves early in the half. Loch Lomond responded with several good runs by Reb.L. in midfield finding striker Kim, but great defending by Kelburne, ensured all efforts by Loch Lomond did not result in a goal. The home side pressed hard and won a series of short corners but, once again, some stalwart defending by the visitors prevented Loch Lomond making a breakthrough. 10 minutes before the end, a final short corner was awarded to Kelburne, and Loch Lomond were unlucky, through two deflections, to lose a second goal.
Final score Loch Lomond 0 – 2 Kelburne.

Player of the match was awarded to Hannah W, and runners up were Vanesa and RebL. Vanesa ‘s tenacious play rightly earned her the Opposition Player of the Match accolade.

Thank you once again to umpire John F.

Match Report 19th January 2019

West District Division 4

Loch Lomond II (2) – (1) Western Wildcats III

Well done Loch Lomond 2s, what a well deserved victory ! The temperature may have been close to zero today but the tempo was high. Right from the first strike of the ball we pressed hard and defended high and boy did it pay off. In the first half all the play was in the visiting teams half, we passed well, used the width and had numerous chances on goal, the opposition only got the ball in our D a handful of times, we really did dominate in the first half. We had 16 players so lots of fresh legs when needed. In the second half Lucy and Jenny continued to control the middle of the park making good use of all the balls fed from the back. Super sub Elaine W. entered the field of play and scored to put us in the lead, it was no more than we deserved. Chloe also made an impact when she came on feeding well to Megan up front. Western caught us on the break to make it 1-1 but we didn’t let this hamper our spirits, we played text book hockey from the back and Lucy scored to make it 2-1. With only a few minutes to go we sat tight at the back and when the final whistle came we celebrated the victory. Well done everyone, what a great team effort and what a great win. Everyone of you should be sitting back tonight giving yourselves a clap on the back. All of our hard work came good today 👏👏👏Jenny  got OPOM with Lucy getting POM. Emma also played a blinder in goals, making some great saves in the second half. For me you all deserved the recognition today. Well done.

East Kilbride are a very organised team, a mixture of youth, experience, speed and precision that made them strong all over the pitch. Loch Lomond got off to a great start and for anyone spectating it would have been difficult to tell which team were league leaders. Loch Lomond had a number of chances in front of goal but strong defending and some good saves from the East Kilbride keeper kept them out. The home defence started off with determination and kept the East Kilbride players at bay, not allowing them to break through their barrier at the back.

However, as the game progressed the strength and skill of the opposition started to cause problems for the Loch Lomond defence. Incisive play in and around our D was really the only difference in the game. Unfortunately, East Kilbride managed to eventually break down the defence and two of their goals came from short corners to make it 2-0 at half time.

Loch Lomond came out after the break determined to get back on equal terms with the opposition. They kept pressing forward and there was some great linking play, pushing up the field. This resulted in a cracking goal from striker Kim McCallion who persevered in front of the keeper to get Loch Lomond back into the match. Against the run of play it was the visitors who scored again and despite some protests from the home defenders that a foul against them had not been picked up, the gaol stood. East Kilbride had the ball in the net once more but umpire Dale Hartopp was quick to spot that the strike was too high from a penalty corner. Goal was disallowed.

Loch Lomond showed determination, skill and composure throughout the match and gave the league leaders a tough match. There were some fabulous pieces of play from the midfield as they linked up passes and used the space well which made it difficult for East Kilbride to intercept the play. Special mention to midfielder Tara Jackson for amazing effort, brave tackling and brilliant play throughout the whole game.

It was a very unfortunate loss for Loch Lomond, however next weekend they have another tough away match but will be ready for a win.

Player of The Match was awarded to Tara Jackson with Lauren McCreadie runner up. Opposition Player of The Match was given to Vanessa Sabala.

Many Thanks to umpire Dayle Hartopp for taking time to come and umpire the game.

Team: Heather Smith, Lauren McCreadie, Caroline Lyall, Eve Howard, Evie Harkins, Hannah White, Vanesa Sabala(capt), Tara Jackson, Eliza Ritchie, Gillian Finch, Rebecca Holland, Alexandra Smith, Kim McCallion and Kirsty Cordner.
Loch Lomond goal keeper smocks are sponsored by Millions, the tiny, tasty, chewy sweet.

Despite being a very young squad, with only a couple of older players, Loch Lomond settled quickly and produced some good passing hockey. Jenny Tripney and Lexi Clarkson were solid and worked tirelessly in the double centre midfield role, supported well by Jenna Gallacher and Alanna Hill on the right and left respectively. Loch Lomond were tackling and tracking well and setting up strong counter-attacks.

Hillhead used their experience well to test the home defence, but Anna English, Jane Neil, Anna Currie, Kara Kerr and Emma O’Neill -were stalwart in defence and set up waves of attack from the back. Megan Glover and Chloe Harrison chased balls and harried the Hillhead defence – winning corners and forcing the goal keeper to make some timely interventions. Loch Lomond were unfortunate 14 minutes in when, against the run of play, Hillhead converted from a penalty corner to take the lead. Undaunted, Loch Lomond reset and Amber Wells, Ava Currie and Colette Sweeney started as rolling subs to allow midfielders and forwards to have rest periods.

A good clearance from defence was helped on by Tripney to Clarkson, who deftly beat the defender and, working closely with the forwards, slipped the ball forward to Glover who slotted the ball home. 1-1 – well deserved. With 2 minutes to half time, Glover added to her tally following some strong running from Gallacher up the right and a good early ball delivery into the danger zone. 2-1 at half time.

A good positive team talk from Capt. Anna Currie and Coach Anne McGregor encouraged the team who continued to play well – with some lovely linking play. Loch Lomond had to stay strong in their tackling and interceptions as Hillhead were searching for an equalizer. Goal keeper O’Neill made some outstanding saves and English and Kerr, in only their second game in defence, worked tirelessly and turned defence into attack on numerous occasions. A good overall performance. No allocated game next week but several players will be called up to the 1sts for their away game.

Player Of The Match was awarded to Amber Wells on her debut in adult hockey and Lexi Clarkson was a well-deserved runner up. Opposition Player Of The Match was awarded to Jenny Tripney.

Squad : Emma O’Neill, Anna English, Jane Neil, Anna Currie (Capt), Kara Kerr, Jenna Gallacher, Jenny Tripney, Alanna Hill, Lexi Clarkson, Chloe Harrison, Megan Glover, Amber Wells Ava Currie & Colette Sweeney.

Thanks to Richard Schooling and Dale Hartopp (second match of the day) from Helensburgh H.C. for umpiring.

After a strong and controversial half-time talk by captain Vanesa Sabala, who was trying to shake up the troops, the second half started with more positive play. 50-50 balls started to go Loch Lomond’s way and passes started to reach players. The opposition was startled by the Loch Lomond forwards, in return their tackling became aggressive, so much so, that young Molly Macken got taken out by one of the Stepps defenders. (Thankfully, a trip to A&E revealed nothing broken!!) Unfortunately, the home side lost concentration for a spell after the incident and, against the run of play, conceded a short corner that once again was well worked. In spite of an amazing first save by keeper Heather Smith, Stepps managed to score.

Loch Lomond had now no option but to play high, they had possession and were pressing hard but couldn’t convert any pressure into goals. Again, on another counter-attack, unfortunately another short corner was converted to make it 3-0. This did not stop Loch Lomond playing high to try and get at least some reward for a very much improved second half. The efforts were rewarded by a lovely team goal that saw the ball swing from defence to midfield and then to the forwards with Kirsty Cordner putting in the last touch. The game ended in a disappointing defeat but lots of positives to take on board.
Player Of The Match was awarded to Sue Aikman, runner up was Evie Harkins and Opposition Player Of The match was awarded to Kirsty Cordner.

Thanks to umpire Andy Richardson once again.

Team: Heather Smith, Sue Aikman, Anna Currie, LaurenMcCreadie, Zoe Canty, Hannah Leach, Evie Harkins, Phillipa Filmer, Vanesa Sabala(capt), Naomi Erica, Molly Macken, Gillian Finch, Alexandra Smith, Kim McCallion & Kirsty Cordner.