Ladies 1s
Dunfermline Carnegie Ladies 1s traveled to Glasgow to play their final match of the first half of the season against a strong Glasgow Uni 2s side. In the first quarter both teams held position well, working the ball around the back and creating opportunities. It remained goalless until Glasgow Uni got a break away and managed to score with a back post tap in. Making the score 0-1.
In the second quarter, Dunfermline remained strong, creating opportunities on goal leading to two short corners but were unfortunately unable to convert them.
Moving into the third quarter, Glasgow Uni were fast, capitalising on a strong press making it hard for Dunfermline to play the ball up the pitch and giving themselves opportunities on goal, resulting in them winning a short corner which they managed to convert. However shortly after, Ciara Wilkie drove up the pitch showing her skill by beating multiple defenders and winning a penalty stroke which was successful converted by Becca Atkins, making the score 1-2.
Despite determination, Dunfermline was unable to find an equaliser but held strong in defence. In the dying minutes of the match Dunfermline had to defend what seemed to be a never ending series of penalty corners, with some excellent saves from Ruth Poole keeping the final score to 1-2.
The team has shown great progression throughout the first half of the season, under coach Gary Clarke. This improvement has been rewarded by winning a total of 5/10 matches, sitting with 15 points and hoping to finish in the top half of the results table.
MVP Claire Stirling
Ladies 2s
On Sunday 16 November, Dunfermline Carnegie Ladies 2’s hosted Edinburgh University 9’s in a league match. Carnegie started off strongly attacking the Edinburgh D and gaining a short corner. There was good maintained pressure from both sides through the first quarter although more chances on Uni’s side but Carnegie fought this off with the first quarter ending 0-0.
Edinburgh Uni maintained their pressure however Carnegie held a strong defence. Although towards the end of the half Carnegie lost their focus lighly and left some gaps in the press. Edinburgh uni were rewarded with a short at the end of the half which was originally well defended until the ball broke favourably to Uni who slotted away a well finished strike with quarter two ending 1-0 to Edinburgh Uni.
At the start of the second half Carnegie made some changes to their defence. Edinburgh started off strongly again, applying lots of pressure and were rewarded with a well worked goal early on in the half. The pressure continued throughout the half but Carnegie held strong ending the quarter 2-0.
Carnegie had a good run at the beginning of Q4, due to Uni not being ready for the start. Once they all got on the pitch they scrambled to defend keeping Carnegie from any scoring opportunites. Edinburgh Uni responded with more attacking play, however with good defending from Carnegie, saves from GK Sarah Deighan, as well as tactical feet from Gillian Owsald, this led to a good break for Carnegie from Chloe Faulkner and Laura Donaldson, however the shot on goal was just wide. Edinburgh Uni won a short corner however the ball came off the post. Carnegie strung some great passes together and had some chances toward the end of the final quarter but couldn’t put any of them away. Leaving the final score 2-0 to Edinburgh University.
MVP Katie Peoples