HOCKEY GIRLS ENJOYING TOP SPOT
Hutchison stars as Glasgow Accies are brushed aside
Table toppers East Kilbride maintained their unblemished record in Western District Division Two on Saturday.
Glasgow Academicals’ second XI became the latest side to taste defeat at the hands of EK Ladies and an outstanding display from the hosts saw them dominate and suppress their opponents from start to finish.
EK started the better of the two sides and took the game to Accies, scoring in the first 10 minutes through Sheona Hutchison.
As the game progressed EK got better and better, their passing and movement becoming sharper and more incisive. They effectively shut down Accies’ hit outs, forcing mistakes which turned over possession.
Katie Stewart made it 2-0 midway through the half after the umpire played advantage for a foot in the D and Stewart swept it in.
It was all EK and they added another goal just before half-time, courtesy of Hutchison who reverse-sticked the ball in from the edge of the D after a short corner move.
Accies came out fighting in the second period and enjoyed their best spell of the game. Their run down the left and cross to centre was rewarded with a goal. The initial shot was saved by Mairi MacDonald but Accies reacted quicker and put the rebound away.
That was the jolt EK needed to find their feet again and they soon resumed control with some lovely play, culminating in runs down each wing and forays in to the D.
EK’s short corners were also nicely executed throughout the match and they scored their fourth when Alison Alexander’s shot was saved and opposition player of the match Hutchison stepped up to claim her hat-trick.
Hutchison, Fiona Williamson and Sonya Andrews were joint players of the match on a day when the midfield bossed the game.
Meanwhile, EK’s reserves were pipped at the post by a strong Strathclyde University IIs side.
Uni scored early from open play and were awarded their second after the ball was trapped in the keeper’s pads.
EK managed to get one back before half time through Paula Richmond, who placed the ball in to the right hand corner after a pass from layer of the Match Caroline Deighan.
They drew level when Shona Kinloch scored and fought hard to keep the score at 2-2, but the students claimed the points with a late winner.