The Carnegie 2012-13 U16 Squad traveled to Aberdeen today to play their first two League games against Dundee Wanderers and Aberdeen Grammar.
Unfortunately Stewart Morgan had to withdraw from the squad on Saturday due to a hamstring injury, but we had a full squad of 16 at our disposal for today’s two fixtures.
Arriving at the Rubislaw pitch early to have a look at both of our opponents in action the pitch surface would have easily accommodated an ice hockey fixture as the sun hadn’t quite managed to fully thaw it out. Thankfully by the time our first fixture against Wanderers was kicking off the conditions had improved and footing was much more assured.
We got the campaign off to the best possible start. Establishing a very good tempo from the outset we quickly took control with strong passing play and movement off the ball and Wanderers struggled to muster any meaningful attacks. Goals from Carnegie in the first half were well taken and well deserved based on the possession and number of attacks mounted on the Wanderers “D”. Both coming from open play the first from Ben Pearson and the second from Aidan McQuade.
The hope was that we could go on and build on the lead in the second, but instead it was Wanderers who were to find the back of the net and reduce the Carnegie advantage to just one goal. The reality though was that our game stats show (thanks Seamus) we had even more possession in the Wanderers defensive zone in the second period than the first and thankfully our two goal advantage was restored again from open play by Elliot O’Riordan who managed to finish off a “spin-o-rama” move in the Wanderers D with a cooly slotted finish. We continued to finish the game strongly using all 16 of the squad in the game, but were unable to add to the scoreline despite many opportunities. A good start nonetheless.
We had a 20 minute turnaround before the next fixture against Aberdeen.
Unlike the Wanderers game, the opening 5 minutes of the first period against Aberdeen we struggled to develop a foothold in the game and time after time passes were not finding their intended receivers. Aberdeen, on the other hand were relishing the fast paced surface and quickly took advantage of a turnover in a key area to take the lead from an open play free hit albeit in controversial circumstances. However, this spurred Carnegie on and having a good spell of possession over the next 10-15 minutes were finding more and more ways to create opportunities against their opponents. One such opportunity falling to Aidan from a penalty corner where instead of nestling in the goal, after a fine strike, managed to find the LH post full on and rebounded out and back into play. Had this leveled things up it would have been just deserts for the effort over the period. But, instead it was Aberdeen who were to find the net not once but twice before the half time whistle and to take things to 3-0 at the half.
Undeterred by the deficit, and with some tactical adjustments for the second period, the Carnegie squad went full out to get back on terms. Aberdeen found it much harder to break us down in the second and were limited to just two shots on goal and no penalty corners. We, on the other hand, were much more effective going forward and in creating opportunities we thoroughly deserved and merited to see a consolation goal being slotted home again by Aidan. It was to be the last goal of the game though and based on the level of possession and effort put in by the boys, it definitely stands us in good stead for the return fixture in the New Year. A 3-1 defeat was hard to swallow but many lessons learned.
All of the squad played their part today and I’m sure we all will wish Tristan and Callum Grant well as they now depart shortly for pastures new down south. Best of luck with your future hockey careers boys.
Big thanks go to Martin Pearson for umpiring both of our games today. Also to Seamus McQuade for his meticulous organisation of the squad and for all of the Mums and Dads who made the very long trip to the frozen north to support the boys.
Our next games will take place closer to tropical Fife in the New Year!
Here are the boys who all played their part in today’s performances…..
Carnegie Squad
Ben Wilkie(Capt)
Douglas Gourlay
Stuart Fagan
Callum Grant
Tristan Grant
Alistair Heeps
Cairney Martin
Aidan McQuade
Alistair Heeps
Cairney Martin
Aidan McQuade
Ryan Miller
Fraser Milne
Grant Ogilvie
Elliot O’Riordan
Ben Pearson
Hamish Tait
Hanru Wehmeyer
Lewis Wilkie