07 June 2011

Gremlins struggled through the Glasgow rush hour traffic to take on Whitestix at sun-kissed Lower Windyedge. Such is the curse of the Gremlin that the first rain shower arrived right on the whistle for the start of the match but thankfully it quickly dissipated and the match was played out, unusually for Gremlins, in bright sunlight. Gremlins could only muster 11 players for this match, seven of them gents. Sportingly, Whitestix were happy for the match to go ahead with this gender imbalance. There was a little counter balance though, with Gremlins being denied the opportunity of penalty flicks, penalty corners and only being allowed to push at goal. Gremlins were happy to put up with the extra restrictions, while Whitestix put up with Gremlins having extra numbers of very fit and fast men.

The last echoes of the starting whistle had barely sounded before Gremlins found themselves ahead. Colin McAdams robbed a Whitestix defender deep in his own half and ran through unchallenged to put the visitors ahead after only 44 seconds. Gremlins did not let their hosts get their breath back and a good break down the left by Kevin Kane set up McAdams but he was denied by Whitestix kicking back. A smart passing move down the right by Rachel Whillans and Kevin Kane signalled a moment of danger for the home side but only produced a free hit just outside the Whitestix ‘D’. In a typical Gremlins move the ball was swiftly passed around from Andy Paterson to George Armstrong to Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane who set Jamie Mathieson scampering down the left and his cross just eluded the onrushing McAdams.

It is difficult to deny that goal-scoring machine Colin McAdams for long and after only 6 minutes he doubled his own and his side’s tally when he slipped home an excellent cross from Mathieson who did well to rob a Whitestix defender deep in home territory. Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane and Mathieson linked well down the left before firing across to the right where the ball was pinched off the stick of Rachel Whillans by a home defender. The defence were unable to clear their lines however, and the ball was quickly played back into the circle where Colin McAdams was on hand to flick the ball home for his hat-trick with only 9 minutes played. The Gremlins striker should have had a fourth 2 minutes later when he latched on to Andy Paterson’s through ball and pushed the ball past Whitestix kicking back and the post.

Shell-shocked Whitestix now tightened up in defence and began to mount some attacks of their own. After 16 minutes a fine move through the middle and then down the left wing was only halted when George Armstrong came across to make a timely tackle and avert the danger. Armstrong was in action again moments later when Whitestix broke down the right; on this occasion knocking the ball behind as the home side prepared to shoot. Whitestix were unable to capitalise on this pressure when Paterson was able to bring the ball out of defence and launch a counter attack.

A great weaving, solo run by Mathieson after 18 minutes ended when the Gremlins midfielder pushed the ball wide of the post as the last home defender prepared to tackle. Good play down the right by Rachel Whillans gave McAdams another opportunity after 20 minutes. The Gremlins hit-man squeezed the ball past Whitestix kicking back only to see another defender pop up on the line to clear the ball downfield. Whitestix won the first penalty corner of the match after 22 minutes. Paterson was like lightning off the line to get a stick to the shot but the ball broke to one of the Whitestix ladies who had a couple of efforts blocked by Alison Dawson in the Gremlins goal.

A slightly overhit pass then denied Whitestix another scoring opportunity after a good break through the middle of the Gremlins defence. Just as it looked as if Whitestix might pull a goal back they were hit with a sucker punch after 31 minutes. A quickly taken Paterson free hit picked out McAdams on the edge of the circle and his precise pass across goal picked out Kevin Kane who slid the ball home at the far post. The final incident of note in the first half was a typical Gremlins passing move with 1 minute remaining. Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane started the move down the left and pushed the ball on to Nia Philips who, in turn, found McAdams. His square ball to Mathieson was stolen off the stick of the Gremlins midfielder by a Whitestix lady as he was in the act of shooting.

Half-time Score: Whitestix 0 Gremlins 4

Gremlins began the second half as they did the first - with a quick goal. With only 60 seconds played Mathieson burst into the Whitestix circle and, when the ball broke loose off a defender’s stick, Colin McAdams had the easiest of chances, tapping home from only inches out. Five goals to the good, Gremlins did not ease off. Mathieson was once again the provider, slipping the ball through to Colin McAdams in the Whitestix ‘D’. Gremlins’ top scorer shrugged off a couple of challenges and flicked the ball home for a 6-0 lead to the visitors with still 30 minutes to play. Paterson then intercepted a pass in midfield and wriggled into the Whitestix circle. His flick was blocked but fell to McAdams whose flick slipped wide of the homester’s goal.

The home side are no quitters and good play down the left wing forced Alison Dawson to kick clear after 44 minutes. Whitestix increased the pressure and won a free hit on the edge the Gremlins’ ‘D’. The ball was pushed right and then centred before a short corner was awarded for an infringement by a Gremlins defender. Paterson was quickly out and partly blocked Whitestix initial shot. The ball fell kindly to one of Whitestix’ ladies but Alison Dawson made two good blocks to keep her clean sheet. Paterson picked off a loose pass deep in his own half, travelled the length of the field and found McAdams in the Whitestix circle but the Gremlins striker fell awkwardly as he tried to get his shot away. A rampaging run by Whitestix No. 22 earned his side a penalty corner after 49 minutes. A good delivery allowed a Whitestix lady to get in a good shot but Alison Dawson was on hand to kick clear.

A strong run by McAdams earned his side a free hit in a dangerous position on the fringe of the Whitestix circle. From the set piece Mathieson burst forward but the defence were able to repel the attack. Paterson then presented Rachel Whillans with a good chance but Whitestix’ kicking back came across smartly to snuff out the danger. A good run by Mathieson down the left finished with a clever pass to Nia Philips on the edge of the ‘D’. Nia created space for a shot but the Whitestix defence were able to block her effort.

Whitestix were pushing hard for a goal but Armstrong spotted the danger and made another crucial tackle. From a free hit halfway in Gremlins territory the ball was pushed wide and then driven back into the centre where Colin Clark made a vital interception and Paterson brought the ball clear. When Whitestix eventually managed to get the ball past the resolute Armstrong and get a shot on target they were thwarted again by another impressive save by Alison Dawson. Good work by Kevin Kane, Paterson and Mathieson gave McAdams another chance after 58 minutes but his effort was off the mark.

Whitestix poured forward as the hour mark approached and Armstrong stepped in again to make yet another immense tackle to keep Gremlins’ goal intact. McAdams, Rachel Whillans and Kane all had efforts blocked as Gremlins pushed forward in the latter stages of the match. Play was now switching rapidly from end to end as Whitestix were determined to get on the score-sheet. Armstrong came to his side’s rescue with another impeccable tackle as the home side attacked. From a free hit the hosts surged into the circle but Alison Dawson was equal to the best that they could throw at her. Paterson broke forward after Armstrong made another stunning tackle and his superb through pass was flicked just wide of the upright by the unmarked McAdams.

A great flowing move by Gremlins was started at the back by Colin Clark who found Mathieson in the clear. He moved forward and sent Rachel Whillans away and she slipped the ball through to Kane who advanced into the ‘D’ and reverse flicked to McAdams. The Gremlins striker moved the ball to Nia Philips but her shot was cleared by the Whitestix defence. A free hit by Mathieson was pushed back to Paterson who found Kane just inside the circle. His reverse flick was blocked and came back to Nia Philips whose shot was stopped on the line before a free hit was awarded to Whitestix. The last action of note came when McAdams wriggled past a couple of Whitestix defenders in the circle before slipping the ball wide of the empty net.

Full-time Score: Whitestix 0 Gremlins 6  

This was a fine win for Gremlins who played some free-flowing, fast-moving hockey in the best traditions of the club. Whitestix lost three early goals but were not disheartened and put together some fine passing moves of their own. They were unfortunate to come up against the formidable Gremlins back line of Andrew Leaker, Colin Clark, George Armstrong and Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane with thoroughly dependable Alison Dawson between the sticks - all of whom were in no mood to concede a goal. Andy Paterson, Jamie Mathieson and Kevin Kane bossed the midfield providing plenty of ammunition for Rachel Whillans, Nia Philips and Colin McAdams up front. George Armstrong’s immaculate timing in the tackle earned him the Gremlin-of-the-Game accolade.

A great tackle by George Armstrong as Gremlins defence holds firm

George Armstrong

Andrew Leaker - a revelation as a stand-in right back

Kevin Kane on the ball as Gremlins surge forward

Rachel charges into the Whitestix circle