Ladies 1s – Indoor
Dunfermline Carnegie ladies 1’s kicked off their indoor season on Sunday 7th December.
Competing in National Division 3, they faced tough opponents in ESM 1’s in the opening game. Carnegie started the weaker side, but soon settled into the game and began to dominate. With chances at either end, the ESM keeper kept all shots at bay and Carnegie were unlucky not to capitalise on their chances. ESM went 1-0 up after a lucky goal. Carnegie soon equalised with an excellent flick on open play, by youngster Ciara Wilkie.
ESM retook the lead after a well worked piece of play, leaving the Carnegie keeper, Sarah Deighan, with no chance to make the save.
The game ended 2-1 to ESM. The MVP award was shared between Emma Mathie and Captain Claire Stirling. A special shoutout goes to keeper Sarah Deighan, who made several excellent saves in her debut game for the ladies 1’s.
Carnegie faced off against Watsonians 2’s in the second game of the day, with a change of keeper. Nicola Crawford returned to play after 18 months on the sidelines. As the much more experienced and skilled team, Watsonians capitalised on a chance in the first moments of the game. It took Carnegie a while to settle, having been put on the back foot by how quick and ruthless Watsonians were.
They were under relentless pressure but defended well. Watsonians showed their class, scoring from drag flicks at short corners and skilful play during one-on-ones with the Carnegie keeper. Carnegie pulled one back, with Ellen Gordon slotting home a goal after a scramble in the circle. Carnegie were ultimately outplayed and the match ended in a 6-1 loss.
MVP was awarded to Ellen Gordon and Kirsty Robertson.
Ladies 2s
In the gloom of a late afternoon start on a December night Carnegie Ladies 2 travelled to Meggetland to play Edinburgh H.C. (4s) .
The game was inevitably delayed however this actually benefited the team, with us taking time to do an extensive warm up on the rugby pitches. This led us to start the game feeling strong and bright.
The game started strong with us taking early possession and in the first quarter, Laura Donaldson intercepted and took an amazing shot on goal which resulted in a 1-0 advantage. From this, we kept our heads and stayed focused in the game until unfortunately in the second quarter, this focus lapsed for just a second and resulted in the opponents having a breakaway in which they scored which equalised the game.
This though gave us the fire we needed to start the second half in which we achieved many short corners and had many shots on goal. That’s when Jennifer Callaghan managed to hit the ball straight into the corner of the goals beautifullyl! Following this with our heads up high, we kept dominance with many other shots on goal and playing predominately in their half.
Ciara Wilkie then secured a 3-1 lead, with a superb goal set up nicely by Sophie Ralph passing it up the left. Then Ciara gave us a penalty stroke and after much deliberation, Emma Mathie stepped forward where she found the back of the net with ease, with Carnegie securing a 4-1 victory in the last quarter!
Overall we were all very chuffed with this victory. Everyone played excellently. As well as the forwards, the backline which included Amy Bennett, Clare Morgan, Ellie Ralph and Joanna Blackwood were awesome in defence and covered the back very well.
Sarah Deighan also was brilliant in goals.
MVP was Joanna Blackwood, who played in a new position of centre defence but absolutely smashed it!
Clare Morgan was runner up and also played a blinder.
Ladies 3s
On Saturday 6th December Dunfermline Carnegie 3’s travelled to Tranent to face Fidra Lions for the final game of the first half of the 25/26 season.
Fidra lion’s scored early on in the first quarter putting Carnegie 3’s down 1-0, not for long though as a great run from the midfielders meant that Lily Stewart that went in the bottom corner of the lions’ goal. By the end of the first quarter both teams were equal with a score of 1-1
At the start of the second quarter, both teams had loads of great chances but Carnegie found themselves unsuccessful with these. Fidra, on the other hand, found their shots successfully making the second quarter end 3-1 to the Lions.
After half time, Carnegie 3’s found their energy levels decreasing but were still able to pull off a strong performance. Hard work from the defenders meant that Frida’s strikes were saved successfully, with the score going into the last quarter being 4-1.
The final quarter finally appeared after a long fight for the ball between the two teams. Dunfermline finding themselves unlucky with some great runs although they found that the lions were able to score another 2 goals late on in the game.
Overall a great game played by all in both teams. MVP Lily Stewart & Louise Baker