Men's 1s start with Impressive win

Kelburne Men’s 1s v Monarchs 1s

17/9/2022 - 2.20pm

Kelburne 1s 5 - 1 Monarch 1s

Scorers: Tommy Austin, Jay Berry (2), Ciaran Wilcox, Iain Scholefield

Kelburne’s Men’s 1st XI started the new Premiership season with a home fixture to newly promoted side Monarch HC from Dundee. The team is relatively unchanged compared to last season, the squad for Saturdays’ game was entirely made up Kelburne produced players who all came through the well established youth set up at Kelburne.

The Mens 1st XI are a youthful group with a number of older heads to bring some experience. With several players representing Scotland at a range of age groups. This season sees Michael Nicol take up the position of Captain with the support of Vice Captains Miles Goldie and Ciaran Wilcox. Veteran player Iain Scholefield take up a role as an assistant coach, helping M1 coach Gordon Shepherd and M2 coach Chris Caldwell where possible.

The game also marked the start of a working partnership between Kelburne HC and the University of Scotland, UWS. They are going to help video games during the season to which will benefit both the university with their courses and aid Kelburne with their video analysis of games.

Start of Game

Kelburne went into the first game of the season looking to get a positive start as during the preseason they have being producing solid performances without getting the results. So, it was essential that got off to a strong start against newly promoted Monarch, who were a relatively unknown entity.

Monarchs started the game strongly, keeping possession of the ball whilst and looking go to play long balls into the Kelburne circle. Kelburne settled into the game and weathered the early pressure. Monarchs created the first clear chance on goal when by winning a penalty corner early in the first quarter. Set piece specialist Boag of Monarchs dispatched a low hard flick to the Lewis Berry’s left-hand corner. However, the keeper pulled off a superb save to deny him the opening goal whilst showing off his shot stopping calibre.

Kelburne grew into the game and had spells of good possession resulting in winning their first penalty corner. This produced the first goal of the game, Sam Hunts flick from top circle was partial blocked by the first runner but Tommy Austin expertly put the ball into the net despite it coming at a high angle.

Monarchs reacted well from going a goal down and challenged Kelburne with a series of long balls and aerials. They were rewarded with another penalty corner. Lewis Berry showed that the first safe was no fluke with another ‘cat like’ save low down to his right, from Boag’s second flick of the game.

The first half was finished off with another penalty corner to Kelburne which was well saved on the line by the Monarch postman. Kelburne went to half time feeling in control at 1-0 but new they had to push on to get the next goal.

Half time 1-0

Kelburne’s control of the game continued into the second half with them producing a number of nice phases of play. With strong performances from youngsters Jared Bolland and Andrew McGrane leading the way. The quality of play was rewarded with the teams second goal of the game, when Jay Berry linked up well with Andrew McGrane. The initial shot being blocked by a defender, but Berry was on hand to slot the ball home.

Berry scored his second of the game from a penalty corner, being helped by a deflection off a defender. The teams fourth goal came soon after from a penalty corner with the initial corner hitting a defenders foot. The retake was bundled in by Ciaran Wilcox from a Jay Berry delivery.

Both teams lost a bit of discipline during the second half with several cards being dished out by the umpires Hart and Monaghan. Kelburne picking up a couple of green cards and Monarchs a yellow for repeated poor tackles. During this period Monarchs pulled one goal back when they created a good move down the right and play the ball directly into the circle, which was then deflected by a Monarchs forward passed the Kelburne keeper Lewis Berry.

Kelburne regained their composure and scored their fifth goal of the game. Again, Andrew McGrane was involved and had a shot blocked and then played the rebound across the goal which was delicately deflected by Wilcox towards the goal to only hit the post. However, midfielder Iain Scholefield was on hand to pick up the rebound and play the ball above the Monarchs keeper into the net.

The first man of the MOTM award for the game went to forward Jay Berry for his two goals and strong all-round performance. With Andrew McGrane coming in a close second.

Next Games

Next week the team will face a sterner test when they travel to the capital to play Edinburgh University at Peffermill on Saturday and then Sunday sees them face Inverleith at Glasgow Green, 2.20pm. Looking forward to seeing a good support at the games.