06 July 2011

Santa Claus is usually only seen around Christmas-time but Gremlins received an early visitation from Clydesdale’s own jovial Santa and his skilful band of helpers and together they served up a thirteen-goal feast of fast-paced, attacking hockey.

From the start, play began to swing back and forth in this ding-dong encounter as each side sought to stamp their authority on the match. The home side were first to attack and Jamie Mathieson’s pass to Nia Philips in the opening minute was intercepted just as she was about to shoot. Gremlins were grateful to Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane after 5 minutes when she made a crucial tackle as Clydesdale players began to congregate in numbers in the host’s circle. With 8 minutes gone Andy Paterson and Colin Clark combined well to drive the ball into the Clydesdale circle before the experienced visitors’ defence closed ranks and cleared the danger. Paterson gave Colin McAdams his first sight of goal after 9 minutes when his through ball carved open the visitors’ defence but the Gremlins goal-grabber pulled his shot wide of the target

With 10 minutes on the clock Gremlins took the lead when Andy Leaker sprinted down the right and delivered a fine cross into the Clydesdale circle. The ball ricocheted around in the ‘D’ for a few second before Clark was able to push it goalwards. His effort was blocked by the visiting defence but the loose ball came back to Colin McAdams who gleefully reverse-flicked it right into the corner of the net. Gremlins looked to be in command when they doubled their advantage after 13 minutes. A good passing move by Fiona Speirits and Leaker created an opening for Jamie Mathieson just inside the Clydesdale ‘D’ and the Gremlins midfielder sent a cracker whistling past the Clydesdale custodian.

There was further joy for Gremlins a mere 3 minutes later. Paterson sent a fine delivery through to Leaker whose shot was stopped by the ’Dale keeper but the ball squirmed along the goal-line presenting Nia Philips with the gift of a tap-in at the far post. Gremlins were in full flight now and Paterson, Jill Christie and Leaker combined to set up Rachel Whillans whose shot on the run skidded past its intended target. The visitors looked as if they may have been heading for a stuffing but were able to claw a goal back when Paterson lost possession to a Clydesdale lady who skated into the Gremlins circle and coolly slammed the ball past Alison Dawson after 20 minutes.

Clydesdale were cheered by opening their account and promptly went after another goal and Andy McKellar had to move smartly to stifle a promising attack by sending the ball out of play. Clydesdale then went very close when Santa himself sent in a special delivery which only just missed the post. A sustained spell of Clydesdale pressure almost brought them another goal when Alison pulled off a spectacular save and Rose cleared the shot from the rebound off the line. Play rapidly swung down the other end of the field and McAdams and Clark created space for Rachel to get a shot on target but it was diverted behind by the Clydesdale ‘keeper. Gremlins pushed forward again and Paterson forced his way into the visitors’ ‘D’ after 28 minutes. He was closed down by the Clydesdale defence and, as the ball began to bauble about, Colin Clark strode forward and merrily flicked it high into the net to restore his side’s 3-goal advantage.

Clydesdale’s goose looked to be well and truly cooked after 30 minutes when good play by McAdams and Clark served up the ball to Jamie Mathieson and his reverse-stick thunderbolt flew into the roof of the net off the helpless visiting goalie. Clydesdale did have the opportunity of closing the gap on the stroke of half-time from a penalty corner awarded when the ball got hung up on McKellar’s stocking. Paterson, with a great burst of speed from the line, spoiled the party in true Grinch fashion by pinching the ball from a Clydesdale lady in the act of shooting.

Half-time Score: Gremlins 5 Clydesdale 1

Gremlins were still in festive mood early in the second half and a flying raid by Paterson won his side a quick corner. Mathieson took it quickly to Paterson who found McAdams but his inviting cross was kicked behind by the Clydesdale keeper. Gremlins suffered a blow when Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane, who was having a fine game in defence, had to leave the field after 39 minutes after she sustained a facial injury. Thankfully it was not too serious and she should be back for the next fixture. The momentary break in play seemed to disrupt Gremlins rhythm and they lost concentration and a second goal after 40 minutes when Clydesdale were able to convert from a penalty corner despite a despairing effort to sweep the ball off the line by George Armstrong.

If anyone thought that the game was over at half-time no one had told Santa. His team were now flying like his namesake’s reindeer and further reduced the deficit after 42 minutes. The visitors worked the ball through the middle and Alison Dawson in the Gremlins goal had to dive to push a good shot past the post. From the resulting corner the ball was played across the face of the goal and slammed home by a Clydesdale forward.

Almost straight from the push back Colin McAdams took possession and ripped through the Clydesdale defence like an excited child tearing open a present on Christmas morning, drew the goalkeeper and popped the ball into the corner of the net almost as if to show his team-mates how it should be done.

Both sides were keen to add to their goal tally and chances were created at both ends before Clydesdale narrowed the gap once again after 48 minutes. The visitors attacked at pace down the right wing and when McAdams slipped as he attempted to clear, the ball was centred for one of the Clydesdale ladies to rifle it past Alison. Only two goals down now, Clydesdale sensed that they could get back into the match and Alison did well to clear downfield as Santa threatened the Gremlins goal. A good run by Leaker set up Fiona who managed to get a powerful shot away but the visitors’ goalie was alert and diverted the ball round the post.

Gremlins effectively wrapped up the game with two goals in two minutes to make the score 8-4 in their favour. With 53 minutes gone Mathieson surged forward and played the ball through to Clark who moved it on to McAdams and his precise pass found Rachel Whillans unmarked in the circle and she gave the keeper no chance with a low drive into the bottom corner.

Gremlins eighth goal came after 55 minutes. Paterson won the ball in midfield and found Fiona in good position near the visitors’ ‘D’ where she won a free hit off a defender’s foot. Clydesdale managed to foil the attack but Paterson retrieved the ball, surged through the middle and his pass was perfectly flicked past the keeper by Colin Clark for his second goal of the match.

Clydesdale roared back and one of their gents chased down a seemingly lost cause and whipped a dangerous cross ball into the Gremlins ‘D’ after 57 minutes. It was met first-time by a Clydesdale lady but, unfortunately for the visitors, it hurtled past the post instead of nestling in the net for what would have been a most impressive goal. The goal that the visitors’ good play deserved was only delayed by another 60 seconds. They moved the ball smartly down the left wing and when the ball was played to a Clydesdale gent just inside the circle he fired in a shot which just squirmed under Alison’s dive and into the net.

Gremlins had an opportunity to increase their lead from a penalty corner after 64 minutes. McAdams and Mathieson created an opening for Nia but the ball spun awkwardly off her stick and went behind. Paterson’s charge into the opposition circle then fell just short of reaching the well-placed Mathieson and, in the last few seconds, McAdams injection of pace and clever pass found Clark who was denied his hat-trick when the Clydesdale keeper turned his shot round the post. Clydesdale finished the game on the attack as the final whistle brought this pulsating contest to a close.

Full-time Score: Gremlins 8 Clydesdale 5

This was a thoroughly entertaining match played out in a wonderful sporting manner with lots of fast attacking hockey on show from both sides. Gremlins looked to have things sewn up by half-time and it could have been a silent night for Clydesdale players on the journey home but they regrouped and scored two early goals in the second half to put the match in the balance. Indeed the final result was really in doubt until Gremlins two goals in two minutes really pulled their chestnuts out of the fire. There was an abundance of skilful hockey and fine individual performances and once again choosing a Gremlin-of-the-Game was a difficult task. Messrs Paterson, Clark, McKellar, Mathieson and Leaker all showed up really well but, for her many fine tackles when Clydesdale were threatening to dominate, I feel that the Gremlin-of-the-Game award should go to Alison McLaren.

Santa’s attack is nipped in the bud by Rose

Jamie Mathieson about to fire in his shot

Clydesdale open their account after 20 minutes

Colin Clark about to score

Alison McLaren