The young Development team took on a very well organised Western U16 team in this division two match. The match was started with Western taking the pushback. The Western youngsters were quickly out of the blocks and had Kelburne pegged back in their own D and won the first short corner of the match from a reverse stick shot which struck a foot after just five minutes. They failed to score but it was clear why this team are doing well in the league this season as they won a further three short corners and each was a different avenue to goal. They score from two of these corners. Kelburne were not letting Western have it all their own way and pushed further up the pitch and on the fifteen minute mark Macpherson hit the post from a top of the D strike. Western scored a good goal from open play and had two more short corners the first was save well at the back post by Gilmour the other was cleared by Ewan. With halftime fast approaching Western were able to score two more goals.
Halftime Kelburne Pro-Life Fitness 5?s 0 v Western 4?s 4
Kelburne took the pushback to start the second half. They had the ball up at Western?s 25m line before they lost the ball and Western quickly broke up field where a wreckless reverse swing topped the ball and it sprang up striking Macpherson in the face who had to go to have the blood cleaned before continuing to play. Western added to their tally with another goal from yet a different short corner routine. The youngsters were not lying down and continued to play good passing hockey which resulted in winning a short corner. Kelburne began to impose themselves in this match and had a few chances but were unable to find the back of the net. Neil McIntyre just back from injury came close on a few occasions and should have been awarded a penalty flick when he was clearly taken out in the D but a short corner was given.
Full time Kelburne Pro-Life Fitness 5?s 0 v Western 4?s 6
Praise must go to young keeper Matthew Retson playing his first senior game and also to ten year old Jay Berry who played his first senior game and almost scored.
The Development team are progressing and since most are playing their first season they should be proud with how they are playing. With luck those adults who are injured will be back soon and will help develop the boys further with their continued encouragement during the game.
Pro-Life Fitness Kelburne 5's 1
East Kilbride. 8
Push back was at 1.30 at Duncanrig High School. It was literally men versus boys with about half of Kelburne?s team not even teenagers yet and most of the EK team drawing their pension. EK started well scoring in the first minute of the game, they went on to have most of the play and score another three goals in the first half. This did not faze the Kelburne youngsters as they dug in and put plenty of effort into the game. In the 35th minute Kelburne received a penalty corner but were unable to convert this.
HT East Kilbride 2s 4 -0 Prolife Fitness Kelburne 5s
The Kelburne youngsters managed a few flurries into the EK half taking advantage of their frequent substitutions while EK only had one sub to use. EK scored a further three goals before Alex Bogan managed a shot just inside the dee and it ended up in the net at the near post. EK went on to score one more goal despite the excellent performance of David Ogilvie between the posts pulling off many great saves.
FT East Kilbride 2s 8 -1 Prolife Fitness Kelburne 5s
The team came off the pitch disappointed but not despondent as they live to fight another day. The promising thing is that many of this young team will play together for many years to come and will grow in confidence and strength. This bodes well for the future.