Hockey: Monklands clinch vital win

Mar 9 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Monklands Men's Hockey Club

WEST DISTRICT

DIVISION ONE:

MONKLANDS 5

HELENSBURGH 2

MONKLANDS warmed up for this weekend’s crucial double-header with victory over Helensburgh.

The West District Division One title hopefuls fought back from a goal down to win at Millerston.

Sheila Moodie’s troops will now face Clydesdale at Dalziel Park on Saturday before hosting Anchor 24 hours later as the championship race hots up.

It was Helensburgh who took the lead in the third minute.

But Monklands rallied and equalised in the 12th minute. Andy Paterson picked out David Aitken in the circle and he applied a killer finish.

Aitken was on target three minutes later when he clipped an Andrew Leaker pass into the net.

Chances were created throughout by the home side who went close when a Jamie Mathieson rocket flew just past the post.

Mathieson was in the mood and, in the 22nd minute, watched as a first-time drive fizzed wide.

A third goal arrived just before half-time with Mathieson finally gleaning his reward for some industrious play.

He lofted the ball into the net after good work from the impressive Darren Leaker and Aitken.

Monklands made it 4-1 when Dom McGrath pounced to fire home a cross from David Ford.

However, Helensburgh pulled one back in the 54th minute with keeper Andy Watt beaten for a second time.

But Monklands had the last word and netted a fifth goal following a lovely attacking move.

Paterson gathered the ball in midfield and fed Aitken who played a return pass to his team-mate who flicked the ball high past Helensburgh’s exposed keeper.

Team: Watt; McGinley, Paterson, McKellar, Walker, Aitken, A Leaker, Mathieson, Ford, McGrath, Cheung, D Leaker, Zakaria.