Hockey ladies battle on against the odds in season finale
Arran Ladies hockey team travelled to Glasgow with eight players and their umpire, Pauline Reid, for their final game against Clydesdale Western VI in the 2022/2023 West District 3rd Division season.
Fortunately, a former team member, Hannah McCartney, who plays for Glasgow University, joined them to help boost team numbers.
Goalkeeper Suzi Haddow was joined in defence by Lee Reid and Dawn Lyle. Stretching her nine players to cover 11 positions, captain Lynda Fenton covered most of the pitch from the defensive line to the shooting circle and had support in mid-field and defence from Julie Hammill, Kaitlyn Haddow and Hannah McCartney. Mia Walker and Jenna Cook were the attacking forwards for the team and they also raced to help in mid-field and defence when needed.
The home team had a full team of 11 players and four substitutes which allowed their players to have refresher breaks throughout the game. They were also assisted by their club coach on the sideline, calling positions for the players to cover when Arran was pressing forward with their attacks.
Arran won the toss, took first pushback and played an energetic game against the fit, fast and much-improved young ladies team. Repelling multiple pressing attacks into the Arran goal area and several short corners attempts on goal, the home team continued to use their developed stick skills and their increased confidence to score in the 14th minute with a super shot from within the ‘D’.
Taking a break at quarter time, the teams returned to the pitch, where Arran’s determination, skills and experience kept the young attackers at bay and unable to capitalise on their numbers. The mid-field and forward players continuously pushed the ball towards the Clydesdale goal, but could not find a gap in the strong defensive line, so the half time score remained at 1-nil to the home team.
The third quarter did not go in Arran’s favour as the young ladies from Clydesdale Western showed how much they had grown in skills and experience over the season and scored three goals in quick succession, taking them well into the lead.
Gathering her players into a more defensive layout, Lynda continued to run interference in mid-field with her teammates where they were successful in stopping further goals. Even in the last quarter, the home team could not break through the Arran defence and the final score remained 4-1 to the home team.
At a sociable after-match tea, the host team voted Lynda as player of the match and on the ferry home Lee Reid received the accolade of dame of the game from her teammates for her excellent performance in defence.
Arran Ladies will continue to train throughout the summer with Senior Hockey Club players on a Thursday night from 7pm to 8.30pm. Anyone interested in joining in, learning to play hockey or help develop the team is welcome.