Hockey: Mixed emotions for Monklands

Oct 12 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Monklands Men's Hockey Club

THERE was delight and disappointment in equal measure for Monklands after their weekend double-header produced a solid win and a heavy defeat.

The Coatbridge men were scheduled to play two National League Third Division games in 24 hours.

A visit from Giffnock on Saturday was followed up with a trip to Dundee University the following day.

And while Sheila Moodie’s side picked up a 2-0 win over Giffnock, they were then on the receiving end of a 7-0 thrashing in the City of Discovery.

Skipper Andy McKellar said: “It was truly disappointing and we never really got going.

“We can certainly take nothing away from Dundee Uni who were absolutely fantastic and played some terrific hockey throughout.

“In truth, they could have scored a few more goals but our keeper, Andy Watt, certainly did his bit to keep the score down.

“We were disappointed with our performance. It was always going to be difficult to take something from the match but we’d have liked to have given a better account of ourselves.”

Dundee were 3-0 up at the break and increased the margin of victory with four goals in the second period.

Watt provided Monklands with their only highlight when he brilliantly saved a penalty flick after a harsh decision given against Dom McGrath.

Monklands had extended their winning streak to three games with two second-half goals enough to beat Giffnock.

The visitors started well but the first half was disrupted by a number of fouls as a result of some tasty challenges. Goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.

Monklands spoke about upping the tempo of their play after the break with the message received loud and clear by the players.

Sharper and quicker passing and moving caused Giffnock problems with the hosts supporting their isolated front-men.

It took until the 48th minute but Monklands finally managed to break the deadlock from a short corner won by Colin McAdams.

The ball was played to David Aitken who found his range and fired a tremendous drag-flick into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Monklands knew one goal was unlikely to be enough and continued to apply pressure.

The home side went on to double their advantage with another strike giving the Giffnock goalie no chance.

Jamie Mathieson found Andy McGinley who showed great vision to find McAdams with the forward’s sizzling reverse-stick finish leaving the keeper helpless.

Squad: Watt; Walker, McKellar, A Leaker, McGinley, McGrath, Paterson, Mathieson, Currie, McAdams, Aitken, Zakaria, Kane, D Leaker.