1st XI v Craigclowan

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Snow is fine as long as you don’t need to practise hockey! That this was the second 11-a-side game that the 1st XI has played this term is very sad. There are a lot of talented boys in the squad and they need practice - boy, do they need practice!

Add to the mix illness and boys coughing and hacking their lungs out - we were going to be struggling. However, I thought the boys did pretty well under the circumstances.

The first half belonged to Craigclowan as they passed well, kept control and managed to steer the ball behind our defensive line time and again. Within three minutes they were a goal up. Credit to Belhaven for keeping their heads high and not crumbling.

Eventually the midfield players began to assert themselves and Tom Galbraith seemed to be everywhere, mopping up the ball and distributing it. Rory Barnes joined in and between them they showed that Belhaven could make decent plays midfield.

Once again, Geordie Gladwin did a superb job and the two goals that went past were really as a result of poor defending and awareness of what was happening around the defensive players. But Geordie takes it all so personally!

The right wing is where many attacks should be made and Peter Dalrymple is more than capable of launching one in that area. However, he was a bit hesitant in moving quickly into space and calling for a pass and was thus never quite moving quickly enough to do any damage. Towards the end of the match he gained confidence and attacked the base line effectively - would that he had done so earlier!

The backs needed to be alert at all times as Craigclowan kept them busy, mostly through the middle of the field, and Hector Laird organised his backs well. What everyone tends to do in defence is panic when the pressure is on and if only other members of the team would come to support then the method of trying to bash the ball through the opposition would not be necessary! Archie Rettie came of age today and played a very sensible game as Left Back, tackling well and then doing his level best to distribute the ball sensibly - very encouraging for the future.

The left of the field, Dougal Forsyth and Andrew Watson, found it difficult to get past the defence, but they were beginning to think about their role in support of the ball carrier and in the second half made more assertive plays in Craigclowan’s 22m area. Both will have to practise their reverse stick strength to get the most of playing on the left - but it will be worth it.

Chances were there, though, George Cuthbert and Freddy Rogers worked well as strikers and were always keen to get their stick on the ball and steer it towards the goal. Two chances went begging - one the goalie made a good save and the other just scraped past the wrong side of the post. Both these chances came about as a result of good interplay between halves and strikers.

Certainly the second half belonged to Belhaven as the team relaxed a bit and began to play the hockey they are capable of and it was good to see some patterns being played that had been practised on the training ground. There is much potential in this squad and I hope the rest of term will realise some more of their potential.

Next up is the Strathallan Sixes, where we’ll meet the same teams as in the National Qualifiers, but hopefully we'll have a bit more knowledge and skill! Should be a good day though...

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