Anyone for ice hockey?

Report by Derek Brien (Manager)
Our match against Inverleith Ocelots at MES at 4pm was seemingly the only one of the day to escape the frost, as the entire morning session had been wiped out, plus the Ladies 4’s cup game at 2.30. It was VERY cold, make no mistake, and the girls pleaded to be allowed to wear their hoodies for the game, the only fly in the ointment being that we’d agreed with Inverleith that we’d wear white and our hoodies are obviously maroon.
So, warm up done and starting line up selected, the hoodies were reluctantly removed at the last possible moment and the game started. We started strongly and had two or three chances at goal in the first ten minutes, with either a last ditch tackle or a save by their goalie keeping the scores level. The balance of possession and chances started to tip in favour of Inverleith and goalie Emma had a few excellent saves including a good block and clearance when one of their attackers was through one-on-one.
Our resistance was eventually broken when the Inverleith girls passed it nicely round the D and a low shot crept in at the far post. We were only five minutes away from half-time so I asked the girls to try and keep things tight until then. It wasn’t to be and we conceded another goal almost immediately.
Straight from the restart we moved the ball nicely upfield and some good hold-up play and a cute pass from Ellie found Yazi unmarked and she gratefully dispatched the ball past the Inverleith goalie. So, half-time came and we were still in touch at 2-1 down.
The by now standard half-time treat of Tangfastics and Jelly Babies we’re consumed and Angus and I moved things around to try and shore up the defence and strengthen the midfield. The second half started and whilst we had a few chances on the break, most of the play was in our half and only some last ditch tackles and some top-drawer saves by Emma, including a full-length dive and block with her stick, kept the score down. We just couldn’t get the ball worked through midfield and the forwards were having to drop deep in search of the ball.
No more goals in the second half saw the game finish 2-1 to Inverleith, where we felt that a draw would have been merited. It was a case of rueing not having taken our chances in the first half when they came, so something for us to work on.
Thanks to players Anneliese Higgins, Ellie Simpson, Ellen Robertson, Neve Jardine, Imogen Forbes, Yazi Murray, Anna Morrison, Anna Simpson, Megan Dunlop, Emma Brien, Kirstin Anderson, Millie Wilson and Lucy Topley for braving the cold and chasing every ball. Thanks also to Angus Robertson for helping me out on the touch-line and to the umpires and assembled parents/carers for their support.