Arran survive early scare to sweep aside opposition
The Arran Ladies’ hockey team were given a foreboding taste of what the match against Stepps Ladies could entail when a turned-over ball from the Arran push-back saw Stepps score the first goal of the game in the second minute.
Rising to the challenge, and alert to the speed and determination of the opposition, Arran rapidly settled into the game with some fine field work, accurate passing and 2-2 player positioning, the midfield and forward players pressed strongly up to the Stepps goal area. Once there and with a goal making pass from left-wing Jenny Stark, match captain Lorraine ‘Hurricane’ Hewie was able to hammer the ball into the back of the net and level the score to 1-1.
Matching the continued fast-paced pressure from the opposition, and three minutes after her first goal, Lorraine was able to take the Arran team into the lead and Jenny followed up this goal with a superb strike which went straight passed the goalkeeper in the 18th minute and gave Arran their third goal of the first half.
When the second-half resumed, Arran were prepared for the possibility of Stepps trying a repeat of their opening gambit which paid dividends as the forwards tried to repeat their opening press. Arran defenders were ready for them and continued to repel their strong attacking fronts. When play did reach the Arran goal, goalkeeper Ali ‘Ninja’ McKie soon made their efforts fail with her impressive diving blocks and swift and clear kicking.
A hit out from defence, sent the ball high into the Stepps half where it was picked up by left-mid Susie Murchie who ran it further up the field before passing it into the shooting circle to her team mates. The shots on goal were blocked by the Stepps goalie, but Susie had followed her ball to the top of the circle and collecting the rebound managed to power the ball through a mass of players and into the goal. Although she didn’t quite believe she had done it, her team mates congrat- ulations soon confirmed she had taken them to 4-1 up.
Stepps persisted in trying to reach the Arran goal and never let up pressure. However a defensive challenge on Lorraine as she was making an arc run into the Stepps 23 area, saw a collision which took a Stepps player off her feet to a bad landing on her knee. Although the captain of the team was very vocal about the contact conduct of the Arran player, the Stepps umpire was quick to reassure Lorraine that it was not her fault, and to tell the team captain that her player was in the wrong as her positioning put her off balance, causing herself to trip up and fall.
Both captains had be told to warn their team players that deliberate body contact would not be tolerated and be severely dealt with should it arise. The result of this was a good clean game, with plenty of 50/50 play for the ball but no malicious contact.
The final score ended 4 - 1 to Arran and the end of the match three-cheers were led by Lorraine Hewie to which Stepps responded in kind. Jenny
Stark was nominated dame of the game by the Stepps team. She was up against the Stepps captain on the pitch who complimented her on a remarkable game, covering all areas of the pitch, setting up goals, scoring goals and running rings round them.
Captain Lorraine Hewie, supported by her team said: ‘Appreciation and thanks goes to team captain Anne Watts who is recovering from a serious illness but who managed to go along to support her team. And of course, to the spectators who came out to support the team on the sidelines, to Trevor, Laura and their staff at the Ormidale Hotel for their roaring fire and after-match teas and to Pauline Reid for umpiring the game. Hearing cheers and encouragement from the sidelines really spurs the team on so thank you all again for coming.’
The Arran Ladies travel to the west end of Glasgow today (Saturday) to take on Hillhead Ladies 4s with a 2.30pm push back. All supporters are much appreciated and warmly welcomed.