EK firsts slip to Hillhead defeat

East Kilbride Ladies Hockey Club experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend with the first team tasting defeat and the second string earning a draw.

It was too little too late for the first team as they fell to a battling 4-2 defeat at home to Hillhead on Saturday.

Hillhead were quick out of the blocks and were rewarded with a goal 10 minutes in.

Sheona Hutchison levelled the score from a short corner five minutes later with a thundering shot but Hillhead scored a second to hold a 2-1 half-time lead.

Hillhead scuppered EK’s hopes of getting back into the contest when they went 3-1 up early in the second half.

Although Hutchison found the target again for EK, the visitors killed off the game with a questionable rebound, slotting home as the defender struggled to get past an obstructing player.

Meanwhile, the second string enjoyed a better result with every player busting a gut to get the goal in a 1-1 draw with Broomhill.

The first half was filled with end-to-end play but neither side could find a way to goal in the first 35 minutes. Broomhill eventually got the opener soon after the re-start with a lift over the keeper but East Kilbride kept their heads up.

It all came down to the last few minutes of the game when the visitors were awarded a short corner.

Kate Finan passed the ball out from the backline and player of the match Alison Alexander received the ball top D, taking a strike which rebounded off the keeper’s foot. Luckily, Claragh Kean was there to catch the rebound and skilfully slip it past the goalie’s feet, sparking wild celebrations from EK.