Hockey: Job well done as Clydeside win by 6 goals

Nov 27 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

CLYDESIDE Hockey Club welcomed Helensburgh to their Lanark Racecourse pitch on a chilly Saturday afternoon for the latest fixture in the West District fourth division.

Having been relegated from division four last season, the travelling side were expected to provide a sterner test for Clydeside than they had faced so far this season.

The home team got off to a decent start and were soon in control of the game, particularly in the middle area of the pitch.

However, despite the majority of possession combined with some good phases of link-up play, the home team struggled to penetrate the opposition circle, and when they did, they struggled to trouble the goalkeeper.

It wasn't until the 18th minute that the deadlock was finally broken.

Veteran striker Mark Amos received the ball in the area and, thanks to some clever movement, he was able to slip the ball to an unmarked Colin Jackson who found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper.

He calmly slotted the ball to the keeper's left and the home side finally had their noses in front.

They continued to pressure the visiting defence and their efforts eventually resulted in a free hit just outside the Helensburgh area.

Steven Slaven took the hit, and when the ball came back out to him, he stepped inside the circle and slotted home a precise shot into the bottom corner to double the lead.

Feeling that the score line didn't reflect the balance of play, Clydeside stepped up the work rate in the second half and started to create more chances in front of goal.

They soon got the third goal that they were looking for when Graham Martin, who received the ball near the penalty spot with his back to goal, was able to lay it off to Amos.

Despite the angle looking too tight to shoot from, Amos hit a well-struck shot, which found the inside of the near post.

Three soon became four when Paul Brand got his name on the score sheet.

Amos was once again involved when his cross-field ball found Brand in the area, whose shot could only be deflected by the Helensburgh keeper into the top of the net.

Sensing more goals to be had, Clydeside continued to press their opponents.

However, despite a number of good chances for Gary Fairbairn, Dale Robson and Amos, the score stayed the same until 15 minutes from the end.

A penalty corner was awarded to the locals, which was taken by Brand to Slaven.

When Slaven's initial shot was deflected to Fraser Ross inside the top of the area, he hit a terrific shot into the top left corner of the goal, which the goalie had no chance of saving.

Clydeside had another corner shortly before the full-time whistle.

This time Brand's ball to Slaven was slipped left to Amos, who in turn placed the ball passed the Helensburgh keeper.

It was a match that the home team will feel they could have won by a bigger margin.

However, in the end, a six-goals victory was the result of a job well done by the team.

l Clydeside's next game is at home against Giffnock on Saturday at 12.15pm.