Men's 2s earn point in competitive start

Kelburne Men’s 2s v Greenock Morton 1s

17/9/2022 - 2pm

Kelburne 2s 2 - 2 Greenock Morton 1s

Scorer: John-Gerard Shephard (2)

Coach Chris Caldwell took his new look young squad down to Kilmacolm, to play local rivals Greenock Morton Hockey Club, in their opening match of the 2022 Reginal League 2 campaign. The youthful squad is littered with potential, their learning curve will be assisted and mentored by the experienced and evergreen Steven Berry and Don Tervit.
A good warmup and team talk from new coach Caldwell translated into the game, the embryonic Kelburne side settled well into the game against an experienced and competent Greenock team. Play was balanced and end to end. However, towards the end of a very promising quarter, some of Kelburne’s inexperience was exploited. Greenock was able to upgrade a free hit to a short corner due to some naïve defending. The initial set piece was not defended well, giving Greenock a further opportunity. From this the attacker was given too much time and space to place his shot beyond the reach of young goalkeeper Ally Glen, to give Greenock the lead as the quarter ended.
A message of belief and control from Caldwell encouraged the young squad out for the second quarter. Greenock Morton exerted significant pressure, but the team withstood it, and began to impose their brand of hockey. Good ball pace from Tom Hunt, Gary Brolley, and veteran Tervit round the back released Steven Robbie on the right flank, he was able to advance and play in Ewan Carmichael in an attacking position. The wily captain drove along the baseline, into the D to draw a foul. From the resultant penalty corner, a training ground set piece move resulted in John Gerard Shepherd wrong foot the goalkeeper, before smashing his shot past the man om the line to equalise. 1-1. Kelburne had the chance to move ahead when the ever-improving Adam Jack was set through after clever play by Willie Crighton and Berry. The youthful forward was denied by the GKs quick readjustment and reflexes. HT 1-1.
Kelburne had fought their was back into the game, which was finely balanced. Caldwell stating a stronger first touch, better communication, and control would help benefit their cause. Now believing that they belonged in this league, at this level KHC’s young side grew into the second half as the better team. Pushing GMHC back into their D for long periods. Indeed, it was from one period of sustained pressure that the breakthrough came. Unfortunately, for the wrong team. Kelburne won a foul outside Greenock’s D, poor intensity allowed the defence to set up before Kelburne was ready to play, leaving a defensive pass as the only option. As KHC tried to recycle possession, another poor pass put a fellow player under pressure. Despite keeping the ball, and passing to a defender, Kelburne dwelt on too long on the ball, and had it stolen. The Greenock forward was able to win the footrace and finish beyond the exposed Glen. 2-1.
Disappointment did not affect Kelburne for long. Good hockey and quick passing round the back created space for Bradley Bruce to step out of defence, his long pass set Martin Byrne attacking the D. He exchanged passes with Berry before dragging his shot narrowly wide. Parity was soon restored. From a PC, Carmichael exchanged passes with Tervit, and despite having the option for a shot, played in the better placed Shepherd to expertly slot home. 2-2.
The final quarter continued in the same vein, with KHC searching for a winner. Byrne came close with a couple of chances. A PC, having confused and eliminated the Greenock GK, Byrne’s goal bound flick was illegally stopped by the body of a defender on the line. The inevitable penalty flick was somehow not awarded. The second chance came from a training ground set piece, which gave him a chance to deflect a strike past the keeper. Unfortunately, the great run was not matched by a heavy touch as the deflection whizzed narrowly past the post. Perhaps next time, a fellow forward would have converted the wayward touch… The enterprising Scott Love was almost rewarded for his phenomenal work rate right at the death. A slick passing move presented the midfielder with a good opportunity, a brilliant intervention from the gk diverted the goal bound strike past the post.
An entertaining game finished 2-2. Coach Caldwell was delighted with his charges: “While we still have lots to learn and improve, the effort from everyone, the development, and the improvement that everyone has made in such a short space of time has been fantastic. I’m really looking forward to our journey together this season!”.