EK dig in to stay unbeaten
It was a day by the water for East Kilbride Ladies first string as they travelled to Helensburgh to play Loch Lomond – but it was the sand which caused them problems as they battled to a 3-1 win.
EK, who kept their 100 per cent record in the Western District League, certainly struggled with the surface of the pitch for the first 10 minutes as Loch Lomond pounced on slow and wayward passes. It wasn’t textbook defending but it was enough to keep the home side out.
The visitors soon found their feet and clawed their way in to the game.
They began to have success further up the pitch and on the right where midfielder Fiona Williamson and forward Kate Kinloch-Anderson were causing all sorts of bother.
EK opened the scoring from a short corner on 24 minutes. Sheona Hutchison collected at the top of the D and finished off a lovely one-two with Williamson from the penalty spot.
Not to be outdone, KinlochAnderson also kept up her great scoring record with the second four minutes later. From a free hit outside the D, Hutchison carried and passed to the onrushing Alison Alexander whose shot was blocked – and KinlochAnderson popped up to send the ball home.
EK started the second half playing calm, collected hockey and worried the defence a few times.
But it was a surprise when Loch Lomond found an easy way in, coming down the right hand side and crossing into an empty D for their player to pull one back six minutes in to the half.
At 2-1 the game could have changed but EK reset and went back to playing their best, Hutchison completing the scoring 15 minutes from time with an easy finish after some hard work outside the D.
Player of the match Williamson had a great game and made the third goal by running at the defence. The ball bounced to Kinloch-Anderson after a tackle and she drew out the keeper to calmly slot back to Hutchison to sweep into the net.
Loch Lomond had a few flurries towards the end but EK stood firm to claim victory and stay top of the table.
Meanwhile, on Sunday EK were hosts to Glasgow High Kelvinside in the West District Cup for a quarter final place. But it was not to be for EK as they suffered a 3-0 defeat.