Grand Finals finale serves big performances to end the season

Women’s Grand Final | Clydesdale Western 1-6 Watsonians

Scotland’s first ever Women’s EHL spot was claimed by Watsonians with a sensational 6-1 victory over Clydesdale Western at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

The game got off to a fast start with both sides testing each other’s’ defensive shape but not able to create any clean opportunities.

It was Watsonians who struck first and it came from a super Anni Arthur burst into the circle from the left, which concluded with Arthur scooping the ball into the top right corner to make it 1-0.

A blink of an eye later and it went to 2-0 after Sarah Jamieson tore through the Clydesdale defence and set up Fiona Burnet for a tap in.

Clydesdale Western barely had a chance to dust themselves down before they concede a third goal. A stroke was awarded to Watsonians and despite the best effort from Cara McAllister in goal, Katherine Holdgate made it 3-0 from the spot.

The Watsonians tidal wave kept surging forward and Emily Dark made it 4-0 with a drag flick into the top left corner right at the end of the opening quarter.

Jenny Eadie struck back for Clydesdale Western when she swivelled and struck a penalty corner into the back of the net to pull it back to 4-1.

Bethan Mann stubbed out any ideas of a comeback when she started and finished a move with a far post finish for 5-1.

Clydesdale took off their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player and it worked against them. Watsonians attacked down the right and the cut back deflected of a Clydesdale stick into the empty net for 6-1.

 

Men’s Grand Final | Watsonians 0-7 Western Wildcats

Western Wildcats struck seven goals to claim the men’s EHL spot with a solid 7-0 win over Watsonians.

The game started with an end-to-end contest and both sides had penalty corner charged down.

It wasn’t too long before Western Wildcats took the lead. Adam McKenzie popped up with a sublime near post deflection into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.

A pivotal moment came in the second quarter and it went the way of Western; Fraser Moran launched a drag flick into the bottom left corner and made it 2-0.

Jamie Golden put further daylight between the teams when he smashed home a drag flick to make it 3-0.

Andrew McAllister inflicted further damage before half time when he forced the ball over the line from close range to make it 4-0.

Luke Campbell in goal for Watsonians produced some excellent saves from efforts by Rob Harwood; Simon Wells; and Moran in the third quarter to prevent further Western goals.

Rob Harwood made it 5-0 in the final quarter after some excellent build up play by Wells on the right – Western were enjoying themselves.

They soon enjoyed a sixth goal through an exceptional finish by Jamie Golden to lob the goalkeeper to make it 6-0.

The scoring was completed by a second goal for Moran through a thundering drag flick into the top left corner of the net. 7-0 and EHL for Western Wildcats.

 

 

Women’s Premiership Promotion/Relegation Playoff | Hillhead Ladies 5-2 Dundee Wanderers

A goal-laden final quarter saw Hillhead retain its Women’s Premiership status with a 5-2 victory over Dundee Wanderers.

Hillhead made the perfect start when they struck an early goal. A lovely flash of skill by Emma Blackstock carved an opening in the Wanderers defence and she slotted a low effort into the net for 1-0.

The Glasgow side doubled their advantage early in the second half and it was Blackstock again who found the net for her double.

Wanderers pulled themselves back into the contest. Amy Snelle ghosted into space and glanced the ball home to pull it back to 2-1.

In the final quarter Wanderers bagged an equaliser. An exceptional long pass found Ruth Cox in the circle and her unstoppable first time finish made it 2-2.

Hillhead got back in front through a sensational finish by Wendy Macintyre, who smashed the ball into the top left corner to make it 3-2.

The win was sealed with four minutes to go and it was Orla Parsons who scooped it home for 4-2.

In the closing stages Hillhead put a cherry on top when Faye Callaghan completed the scoring with a far post finish for 5-2.

 

Men’s Premiership Promotion/Relegation Playoff | Inverleith 4-3 Kelburne

Premiership status was retained by Inverleith with 4-3 win over Kelburne at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Inverleith got off to a great start and grabbed an early goal. A swift attack down the right opened things up for Hamish Norval to sweep the ball home to make it 1-0.

The game progressed at pace and Kelburne worked back into the contest but Inverleith always looked a danger.

It went to 2-0 in the second quarter when Charlie Jack smashed a drag flick into the net for Inverleith to put some daylight between the teams.

After half time Kelburne struck back. A quick counter saw the ball forced through the goalkeeper by Rory Anderson from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

Ben Turtle restored the Inverleith two goal advantage when he scooped the ball over the goalkeeper early in the final quarter to make it 3-1.

Jack struck his second of the match when he blasted a low effort home on the turn for 4-1.

The three goal deficit seemed to inject a new life into the Paisley side and they came back swinging. Kelburne pulled one back in the closing stages through Iain Schofield’s penalty corner to make it 4-2.

As the clock ticked down they struck again to pull it back to 4-3 with Cole Norries converting for a nail biting finale.

A late surge for an equaliser couldn’t find the elusive goal and Inverleith retained its Premiership status with the win.

 

Women’s Championship Promotion/Relegation Playoff | Dundee University 1-2 Western Wildcats 2

Women’s Championship promotion was sealed by Western Wildcats 2s with a fantastic 2-1 win over Dundee University.

Dundee University, with only 11 players in their squad, started fast and attacked hard from the outset.

Western Wildcats 2s had a great opportunity to open the scoring through a swift attack down the left, but the pass to the far post was deflected wide by Megan McCarry.

It was Wildcats 2s who found the net from a penalty corner opportunity; Chloe Hardie fired a drag flick into the net to open the scoring. 1-0.

Things got worse for the Dundee students when their goalkeeper got carded leaving them with an empty net and ten players on the pitch. Despite this, they found the back of the net. A superbly well-worked passing move found Holly Barr in the circle who stroked the ball home from close range.

The Dundee work rate was phenomenal up until the final hooter but they couldn’t find an equaliser and Wildcats 2s took the victory.

Victory went to Wildcats when Jess O’Toole found the net to make it 2-1 and bag promotion.

 

Men’s Regional League Promotion/Relegation Playoff | Watsonians 3s 1-1 (1-2) Uddingston 2s

It took a shootout for Uddingston 2s to claim a 2-1 win, and promotion, after a 1-1 draw at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

It took until the 28th minute for the deadlock to be broken and it was Watsonians 3s who found the net through Harry Yarr’s penalty corner for 1-0.

It looked like it would be job done for the Edinburgh side but Uddingston had other ideas. Uddingston scored with two minutes to go when Max Strachan found the net to level the scores and take it to a shootout.

A close and tense shootout went down to the wire and Uddinston took the win at 2-1.

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