Ladies Hockey

EAST KILBRIDE 1s 2

ARDROSSAN 5

ARDROSSAN 1s headed to East Kilbride desperate for a victory after an indifferent start to the season.

With a new formation and coach Alan Walker on the side lines, Ardrossan made a positive start with Jenna Grossman securing the first goal by successfully blasting the rebound into the back of the net after one of Kirsty Blackstock's strikes.

After half-time EK levelled, which was disappointing considering Ardrossan had the majority of possession in the first half.

The second goal came from Linny Fisher who ran the ball into the D and with a superb reverse stick shot.

With Ardrossan continuing to dominate the play defenders: Gill Jack, Kirsty Dunlop, Chantelle Fisher and Isla Thompson with Mhari Dale in goals kept their cool and ensured no East Kilbride players had chance at goal.Following a sudden drive up the pitch from midfielder Jenna Grossman and a phenomenal strike on target she secured the third goal. After conceding the second goal from a short corner a determined side from Ardrossan kept their heads up. Ardrossan continued to push forward and winning short corners. They had many chances at goal, however they were well saved by the home goalie.

The fourth goal came from captain Blackstock as she dribbled the ball up the pitch and hit an unstoppable strike into the top corner. The final goal was in the last remaining minutes with once again midfielder Jenna Gossman running the ball into the D, however this time slipping the ball to striker Tara Mair who made a beautiful connection resulting in goal five and three points on the table.

Man-of the-match from both teams was Linny Fisher.

ARROSSAN 1s 3

HILLHEAD 3s 0

THE hosts followed up Saturday's win with a first class performance on Sunday, fielding a depleted team against a youthful Hillhead.

The hosts attacked from the start with chances falling to Tara Mair Blackstock and Sally Ho. However, midway through the first half, after a goalmouth scramble, Amanda Stewart eventually broke the deadlock from close range.

This goal gave Ardrossan confidence and the second half was played predominately in Hillhead's half.

Any break from the opposition was foiled by an able defence of Dunlop, Gossman, Chantelle Fisher and Isla Thomson, with Mhairi Dale in goals being a virtual spectator. Carolyn Fisher and Blackstock were sending probing balls into Hillhead's circle and their persistence paid off when Gossman played a diagonal ball to Blackstock, who passed to an unmarked Daniela Young to shoot powerfully into the corner.

Good running on the wings from Clare Monaghan and Tara Mair was causing problems for the opposing defence, resulting in several penalty corners. Victory was sealed late on when Dunlop sent a lovely ball to Clare Monaghan who then won the short corner. From Gossman's accurate pass out, Blackstock picked her spot and fired home.

ARDROSSAN: M Dale; K.Dunlop, J Gossman, C Fisher, I Thomson, C Fisher, D Young, K Blackstock (captain), C Monaghan, T Mair, A Stewart, S Ho.

STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY 2's 9

ARDROSSAN 2's 2

THE young inexperienced Ardrossan team were no match for a well organised University team on Saturday.

Ardrossan held their own in the first half with goals from Kate Parker and Vicky McNicol. Strathclyde then took a hold of the game and were relentless in attack.

Despite the scoreline there were good performances from defender Leanne McPake, who picked up the player-of-the-match award.

Team: E McMillan; W Chan (captain); V McNicol, S Ho, M McNeil, C Hogarth, E Harkins, L McPake, E Harkins, K Nutt, K Parker, N Gemmell.