21 July 2011

Thankfully the persistent rain had almost abated for the start of the match but the greasy surface made for very tricky early underfoot conditions for all the players. Gremlins started brightly and a good ball from George Armstrong sent Andy McGinley off on a good run but his cross was just too strong for Nia Philips. Gremlins have traditionally been quick starters in recent weeks and so it proved again today. Armstrong sent an inch-perfect pass in from the right and it was neatly flicked home by the unmarked Gale Black to give Gremlins the lead.

Gremlins had another good chance after 9 minutes when a Clydesdale defender lost his footing and Jamie Mathieson slid the ball on to Nia but she also slipped and the chance was lost. Clydesdale pulled level after 12 minutes when two of their young starlets combined well through the middle to knock the ball past Alison Dawson. Stung into retaliation Andy Paterson wriggled past a number of Clydesdale defenders and sent in a good flick which was well stopped by the goalie. McGinley was next to have a go but his effort rebounded off the keeper, hit his own stick and went behind.

Apart from these few early opportunities the game hadn’t really sparked into life as players struggled to keep their balance and control on the slippery surface. Clydesdale looked as if they might pull something out of the bag when they burst down the right after 21 minutes but they lost possession in a good position. Gremlins then threatened when Armstrong sent Rachel Whillans free on the right wing but her cross was pushed behind by Santa. From the resultant corner Paterson found McGinley but his first-time effort flew wide of the post. That should have been a warning to Clydesdale for, on 24 minutes, Gremlins re-took the lead. A quick dash down the right by Rachel earned another corner. Mathieson took it quickly to Rachel who crossed the ball for Armstrong who made to flick the ball in at the near post but spotted Andy McGinley unmarked at the far post and he had the easiest of tasks to slot the ball into the unguarded portion of the goal.

There was more bad news for Clydesdale 4 minutes later when Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane intercepted a Clydesdale pass in midfield, moved the ball on to Armstrong who, in turn, picked out Fiona Speirits who nudged the ball forward to Jamie Mathieson and his flick fairly zipped past the diving keeper and into the net.

Gremlins were now beginning to look like their old selves again and the passing moves began to flow. Paterson sent McGinley away and his cross gave Nia a chance but the keeper managed to kick her shot away. Mathieson then picked off a Clydesdale clearance and gave the ball to Rachel whose cross had the Clydesdale defence in a panic as the ball ricocheted around the circle before the defence scrambled it clear. Clydesdale did managed to get into the Gremlins half on a couple of occasions late on in the first half but these attacks were easily snuffed out by Andy Leaker who looked imperious at the back for the visitors.

Half-time Score: Clydesdale 1 Gremlins 3

With only two goals between the teams at half-time a tight second half was anticipated. Nothing could have been further from the truth as Gremlins quickly found their rhythm and systematically dissected the Clydesdale defence. Gremlins were instantly on the offensive and a slick passing move by Armstrong, Paterson and Rachel ended with a driven cross which Armstrong just fail to get a stick to. Clydesdale did manage to mount a dangerous attack after 37 minutes when one of their young men fired in a good shot which had Alison in the Gremlins goal diving across her charge but the ball went wide. The home side’s raids were becoming less frequent now as Gremlins started stringing passes together and dominating midfield.

It was no surprise when Gremlins increased their lead after 39 minutes. Paterson found Gale in space with a fine through ball and she moved it on to Nia who cut the ball back for Mathieson to flick towards goal. The ball looked as if it may have been going wide but Andy McGinley was handily placed at the far post to make absolutely certain it went home.

Gremlins fifth goal after 40 minutes after Rachel's effort on goal was saved, but Armstrong collected the loose ball to slide it under the keeper.

Clydesdale tried to hit back and a good break down the right gave one of their youngsters a shooting chance but Alison saved easily and the ball was cleared by the Gremlins defence. The visitors were back in home territory after 43 minutes and a smart passing move by Mathieson and Rachel delivered the ball back to Armstrong who sent a magnificent pass through to Nia. She played it back to Rachel who had continued her run but her initial shot was well stopped by keeper who reacted quickly to block her shot from the rebound. Four minutes later Mathieson picked up a loose ball in midfield and fed McGinley who motored down the left wing before sending an inch-perfect pass to Gale just inside the ‘D’ and her first-time rocket whizzed just past the post with the keeper rooted to the spot.

Gremlins’ goal number six came along after 50 minutes and it was a real beauty. Gale and Mathieson took the ball down the right wing before Mathieson clipped the ball into the Clydesdale circle where it was met perfectly on the volley by George Armstrong and the ball simply rocketed into the net giving the ‘Dale goalie not an earthly.
 

Gremlins were not letting up and an interception by Paterson put Nia in the clear but her shot skimmed just wide after 51 minutes. Mathieson and Armstrong were completely bossing the midfield and the pair carved their way through the Clydesdale defence after 53 minutes only for Mathieson to completely lose his footing as he had the Clydesdale goal at his mercy. Another Gremlins goal was inevitable and it came only a minute later. Paterson began the move and picked out the run of Armstrong who touched the ball on to Fiona. She knocked the ball forward to Jamie Mathieson who had his back to goal but he smartly reverse-flicked the ball under the Clydesdale goalie to give Gremlins a 7-1 lead.

 A great tackle won by Rose almost on the half-way line gave her the chance to advance down the right wing and she sent in a perfect cross for Mathieson who, anxious to complete his hat-trick, swung wildly at the ball which went harmlessly past the post.

Clydesdale weren’t completely out of the match and a good spell of pressure around the 60 minute mark caused Gremlins a little concern. Another strong shot by one of their youngsters after 60 minutes drew a smart save from Alison who stuck out a foot to kick the ball wide. Then two minutes later a Clydesdale cross from the right scorched across the face of Gremlins goal but there was no-one on hand to drive it home.

Santa broke up a Gremlins' attack by Fiona and Gale after 64 minutes and sent a long ball down-field where one of Clydesdale’s young men attempted a clever lob over Alison who pawed the ball away. The loose ball fell kindly for one of his colleagues but Alison saved well from his shot. The Gremlins defence cleared downfield from a free hit which was awarded for some indiscretion and Armstrong surged through the centre of the Clydesdale defence before unloading the ball to Mathieson. He pushed it on Fiona Speirits who calmly tucked the ball away in the corner with five minutes still to play.

With only 3 minutes remaining Mathieson found himself clean through with only the keeper to beat but hit the ball straight at the Clydesdale stopper and the ball rebounded striking Mathieson’s feet, allowing Clydesdale to get the ball downfield. Gremlins weren’t finished though. After 68 minutes Paterson sent the ball down the right to Rachel who moved it on to Gale and her pass put Jamie Mathieson through to slip it home.

Full-time Score: Clydesdale 1 Gremlins 9

This was a comprehensive win for Gremlins over Clydesdale’s mix of talented youngsters and grizzled veterans (Santa does not shave now until after Christmas). Gremlins took a while to adjust to the conditions and the unfamiliar bounce on this relatively new pitch but once they got to grips with both they began to turn on the style. Again it was difficult to choose a Gremlin-of-the-Game with so many fine performances. George Armstrong was a rock in defence and a real threat going forward, Andy Leaker was coolness personified, Paterson sprayed about pinpoint passes and Mathieson and McGinley were always a goal threat but, for me, the stars of today’s show were Rachel Whillans who was always available on the right and superbly linked defence and attack and Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane who tackled like a tiger and has developed the confidence to go forward in support of her colleagues.

Jamie Mathieson flicks home the third goal

Andy McGinley knocks home the fourth goal

Rose Fitzpatrick-Lane