U-9 Hockey: Belhaven 1-12 Cargilfield

Belhaven Goalscorer:

Johnnie White

I set the goals for this match well in advance of today, on the back of last week's defeat at Loretto. We needed to work on:

- getting the ball wide,

- passing to a familiar face rather than whacking forward aimlessly,

- sticking to our positions

- defenders marking their men

- getting sticks flat to the floor

With enthusiasm we went into the game today but were somewhat deflated as Cargilfield cut through us with ease to go 1-0 up after seventeen seconds. A minute later it was 2-0 and so it went on; with eight minutes on the clock the score was 5-0 to the visitors. Cargilfield were scoring primarily from Belhaven not showing any of the skills mentioned above; we weren't remembering to mark our men and we were getting caught well out of position too often and tackles we attempted, and missed, were not with sticks flat on the floor.

Thankfully we did begin to get the hang of the game as it wore on and Johnnie forced a goal through endurance as he swept in having broken through a couple of tackles and claimed the loose ball.

Half-time came and we could be happy to have remained tight for the final seven minutes of the first half. This wasn't to last, however, as Cargilfield quickly added another two to their score within two minutes of the second period. An eighth goal went in as Cargilfield broke free after a Belhaven long corner, caught us out of position and finished the move off. The final four goals came through not tackling or marking properly or daydreaming around the pitch out of position, to close the scoring at 12-1 to the visitors.

Save a close shot from Johnnie we didn't threaten the Cargilfield goal in the second half, though Victor made four or five good, strong runs through the middle of the field on the break but came unstuck due to a lack of support. Again we did hold Cargilfield at bay for the final five minutes of the half but there was no doubting the better team today.

Although it is often nice to have matches, sometimes having fixtures too early in the term, especially when boys haven't picked up a hockey stick before, can work against a team. With this in mind I am hopeful that once we have had some good Wednesday afternoons' practice under our belts without a game, we have the potential to give a better account of ourselves in our games later on this term.

Although Joe and Victor gave solid accounts of themselves today, after such a result as this and with so much for everyone to work on I am holding my 'Man of the Match' awards back for another occasion. Well tried everyone.

Thanks to our loyal-as-ever support.

Squad: Victor Strang Steel, Johnnie White, Angus Driscoll, Joe Mitchell (c.), Guy Brooks, Evan Ball, Hubie Litherland. Sub.: David Wakefield.

Next match: Belhaven vs. Loretto (h.), Wednesday 8th February, 14:30.

Here are some pictures from today: