Hockey: Monklands win at Stirling University

Sep 28 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

NATIONAL LEAGUE

DIVISION THREE:

STIRLING UNIVERSITY 1

MONKLANDS 4

MONKLANDS made it two wins in three games as they continued with their encouraging start to life in National League Division Three.

Strikes by George Armstrong, Colin McAdams, Jamie Mathieson and skipper Andy McKellar sealed victory at Stirling University on Saturday.

Monklands captain McKellar said: “This was another important win for the team in what was a hard-fought match.

“We had to show the desire to match our opponents’ fitness levels and managed to play some excellent hockey in the process.

“It was important that the midfield managed to hold the ball when necessary and provide the service required to the strikers who caused their opponents problems all afternoon.”

The individual displays of Armstrong and Mathieson were congratulated by McKellar and seen as pivotal to his side’s success.

He added: “The midfield’s performance was epitomised by the efforts of both these players throughout the 70 minutes.

“George broke up countless Stirling attacks in addition to his set-piece threats.

“And Jamie’s creativity was crucial in setting up a number of goalscoring opportunities for his side.”

The sun was splitting the skies when Monklands arrived in Stirling with a squad of just 13 players.

The home side were given too much time and space and made use of their territorial advantage by bagging the opening goal of the game.

A mistimed tackle led to a Stirling set-piece which was initially kept out by Monklands custodian Andy Watt.

But sloppy defending allowed Burroughs to nip in with his shot on the rebound deflected into the net.

Monklands sorted themselves out and equalised when Andrew Leaker earned his side a penalty corner.

Andy Paterson’s injection was stopped by McKellar for Armstrong who rocketed his flick high into the net.

It was 2-1 before the break when Dom McGrath fed Mathieson and he spotted the supporting run of marksman McAdams who fired home.

A third goal was added in the second period with Paterson releasing Armstrong. His sublime pass was then converted by Mathieson who dived full length to beat the Stirling keeper.

Armstrong and McAdams both came close to extending Monklands’ lead before they made it 4-1 to seal the points.

A penalty corner was scuffed but the alert Armstrong recovered the situation and passed to Paterson.

He then picked out McKellar at the front post and the captain capped an excellent attacking run with a fine finish.

Monklands played the last seven minutes of the game at a numerical disadvantage after Paterson was yellow-carded for a rash lunge.

The Coatbridge outfit have this weekend off but face a double-header against Giffnock and Dundee University on October 8 and 9.