Ladies 1s vs Wildcats and Wanderers

It was a 6 point weekend for the Ladies 1s after two victories against top placed National 1 sides away from home.

On Saturday the team travelled to Glasgow to face 4th placed Western Wildcats in typical West Coast torrential conditions. After a warm up that included clearing piles of snow away from the side lines, the team got off to an electric start, finding the back of the net within minutes following a deflection from Heather Tait.

Watsonian’s GK Lucy Camlin made a few crucial saves towards the close of the first half to deny Wildcats success in the D and to maintain the lead going into the break.

Wildcats changed tactics during the second half, going man to man to try and pressure the away side into giving the ball away cheaply. Watsonians kept their calm, finding gaps behind the Wildcats’ press and breaking away to allow Mairi Shaw to score the second goal following a well worked circle entry by Bethan Mann and Heather Tait.

The game ended at 2-0 with Watsonians taking 3 points away from a side that has consistently finished in the top four National 1 teams in recent years.

On Sunday the team travelled north to face Dundee Wanderers. Again Watsonians started the game well, with a deflection from Georgia Jones on the post following a penalty corner to give Emily Newlands’ side an early lead.

Wanderers made the score line level with a goal from Vikki Bunce 10 minutes before half time. The Watsonians defence kept Wanderers out following a fiercely fought penalty corner in the final few minutes of the first half to ensure the playing field was level as the whistle blew.

The second half saw Wanderers tire after a period of sustained pressure from Watsonians. The double header and squad of 12 was taking its toll on Wanderers as ‘Sonians continued to pose a threat to the home team’s defence, testing GK Carmin Dow on multiple occasions.

Midfielder Eve Pearson gave Watsonians the lead with 10 minutes to go. Wanderers continued to look for the long balls through the centre hoping to give their attack a chance at a quick break. They found no joy as Watsonian’s defenders Emily Newlands and Ellie Wilson picked off their passes, working the ball out of danger through screens Ruth Moffett and Bethan Mann, and up to the forward line.

The final whistle signalled the L1s second win of the weekend, ending the game at 2-1 and moving the side to only a point behind 5th placed Wanderers and 5 points behind 4th placed Wildcats. A successful weekend of hockey, with excellent individual and team performances on both days. Work rate and commitment couldn’t have been higher – well done to all the squad and Coach Keith Smith!