Honours even as starlets shine for Kelburne
BEN RAMAGE
A youthful Kelburne Ladies Firsts side bagged a creditable draw in Edinburgh against Inverleith.
The side travelled to the capital for the National League 2 fixture with a heavilydepleted squad, with Drew Berry and Rachael Ewing-Day the only players over 20.
Aimee McGrane, Freya Halliday and Charley Austin, who all recently made their debuts, found themselves in the starting line- up. Madeline Bower was another youngster brought into the squad for her debut.
After an energetic warm-up the Paisley team started the game with confidence and enthusiasm, maintaining possession well in their own half.
Nevertheless Inverleith created the best chances of this half but could not find a way beyond Kelburne keeper Emily Irving.
Solid defending from Berry, Bower, McGrane and Halliday kept Inverleith at bay, while Dalia Stewart and Ewing-Day were quick to run down all corner attempts.
The strong defending kept the score at half-time at 0-0.
The second half saw Kelburne take the game to the Edinburgh side with the defence supporting the attack at every opportunity.
Abbie Irvine, Megan Ralph and Holly Hendry all offered width and depth in midfield when Kelburne were in possession.
On occasion the Edinburgh outfit broke at pace, but Irving was quick off her line to see the ball out when required, making some miraculous reactive saves.
With 15 minutes remaining Bower found herself yellow carded after her tackle on the last player was deemed strategic.
Kelburne had to reshuffle in defence and unfortunately conceded during this period, with a through ball from the left finding its way underneath Irving.
But the inexperienced Paisley side showed excellent determination to come back after the goal.
Amber Henry worked hard up front to claim a series of short corners. Berry’s shots on the first two occasions narrowly missed the left hand post.
However, with three minutes remaining Ewing-Day’s top D shot was deflected off a Inverleith stick into the roof of the net.
Both sides worked tirelessly in the remaining few minutes as Inverleith threw everything at the Paisley team in search of a winner.
Nevertheless the young side showed wisdom beyond their years to calmly deal with the pressure and seal a draw.
Irving was named the most valuable player, with her display between the sticks keeping Kelburne alive on many occasions, while Bowers’ strong debut brought applause from both sets of fans.