Hockey: Monklands top table on goal difference

Mar 23 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Monklands Men's Hockey Club.

WEST DISTRICT

DIVISION ONE:

ANCHOR 2 MONKLANDS 6

MONKLANDS moved to the top of the table after a second successive win over title rivals Anchor.

The Coatbridge men are at the West District Division One summit on goal difference following Saturday’s victory at Linwood.

There were six different goalscorers on target for Monklands who will be looking to maintain their promotion bid at home to Kelburne 4s this weekend.

Anchor knew they needed a win given the fact Monklands have games in hand for the championship run-in.

And they got off to the best possible start with a penalty corner leading to a raised stick guiding the ball past keeper Andy Watt.

But Monklands equalised in the 19th minute when Colin McAdams found Jamie Mathieson diving in at the back post and he smashed home.

This was proving a hard-fought encounter but two goals in as many minutes turned the match on its head.

McAdams held off several challenges to set up David Aitken who slotted past the Anchor goalie.

And it was 3-1 when Andy Paterson converted with a penalty flick.

However, Anchor pulled a goal back in the 47th minute when some smart play from a short corner led to a shot which flew past Watt.

Monklands weren’t home and dry yet but edged closer to victory when Armstrong made it 4-2 with his side’s 400th goal in West District League hockey.

In the 66th minute, Andy McGinley added a fifth when he powered home at the third attempt.

And in the closing stages, Aitken unselfishly played in marksman McAdams who made no mistake.

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