Kelburne

Kelburne 2nd XI completed yet another outstanding season on Sunday 4th May with a victory in the District Cup Final, beating Edinburgh rivals Grange 3-1 on penalties after a hard fought 1-1 draw.

This came after a battling 4-2 victory last month over the same team to retain the Men’s Regional Central League Division 1.

The guys not only did the double, but also managed to increase the average game score from 7-1 per game to 8-1.

A truly incredible achievement – well done guys.

17/03/07: vs Watsonians 2nd XI

Kelburne: 8
Watsonians: 0

With only four league games remaining, the Men’s 2nd XI set out to take a big step towards retaining their title by beating Edinburgh side Watsonians at Bellahouston on Saturday. In atrocious conditions the ‘Burne went into this game knowing that only 3 more wins were needed to crown them champions for the fifth consecutive year.

It has been an astonishing year of hockey for the Paisley club’s second string: every home game won; one draw on their travels; 108 goals scored in 15 league games giving an incredible average of just over 7 goals a game; 125 goals in all competitions; the best defensive record in the league; top scorer Menzies single-handedly outscoring all but the top three teams in the league, the list goes on.

These landmarks are all the more impressive when the club’s focus on youth development in taken into account. Although there are some relatively senior players in the team, there is a clear focus on developing the clubs most promising youngsters: from the start of the season three 14 year-olds have been at the heart of the team’s success with Michael Bremner a composed and skilful presence at centre-back, goal-mouth predator Alan Forsyth pitching in with a 20-goal haul and Josh Cairns consistently putting in performances all over the pitch that belie his age.

With under-18 internationalists Fraser Hutchison, Matt McGinley and David Forsyth all central to the team, the average age of the squad is barely over twenty.

With all this in mind it was no surprise that Watsonians arrived on the west coast with an ultra-defensive game plan. With damage limitation their priority, the capital side rarely ventured from their half in what developed into a very one-sided game.

The home side pressed hard from the start, barely allowing Watsonians out of defence and the pressure soon told with former 1st XI captain Menzies adding yet another goal to his season’s tally from a penalty corner conversion. He soon added another with the returning Wrightson and Forsyth adding goals of their own to leave the away side glad to be only four down at half time.

Conditions worsened as the second half progressed making it increasingly difficult for Kelburne to maintain their high-tempo passing game through the driving sleet. Despite this the three forwards all managed to score typical goals: Wrightson bludgeoning his way through to nearly rip the net, Menzies deftly sliding in and Forsyth pouncing for a neat finish under the keeper. It was only left to captain Bryce to convert a late penalty corner to leave the final goal count at eight.

The high-scoring outfit won’t be able to add to their points total for another 2 weeks when they play relegation-threatened Stepps at home. A victory in that game will leave Kelburne three points shy of the league title.

11/03/07: vs Stirling Wanderers 1st XI

Stirling Wanderers: 0
Kelburne: 10

A number of late call offs and the last minute inclusion of Adam Bain into the 1st XI took skipper Colin Bryce by surprise and saw Kelburne travel with a bare 11 players to Stirling for the next round of the Scottish Cup.

Kelburne began well in and had the best of the possesion creating a number of clear cut scoring chances which they could not convert to kill the game off early.

Kelburne went onto have a succesion of penalty corners which they wasted with some particullarly inempt forward play. Even with Kelburne not converting their chances their was no threat to their goal with Stuart Robin and keeper Fulton being redundant with only the occasional long ball to deal with.

With 5 minutes remaining in the 1st half Kelburne finally got the goal their pressure had deserved with Gordon Menzies keeping a cool head to slot home from close range.

Both teams must have had team talks at either end of the spectrum at half time as while Kelburne focused on delivery controlled positive hockey, Wanderers had obviously decided the next 35 minutes was about maiming as many people as possible and as the whistle blew to start the game there was a zombie look about some of their players.

As has been the case in recent weeks the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half was where Kelburne went about their business and scored a succesion of goals to end the game as a contest, with Menzies, Walker, Forsyth and Cairns all converting.

It was then that the game got interesting as Kelburne were reduced to 10 men as Matt McGinlay was bluggened in the right knee cap resulting in a 1 inch gash that saw him retire injured, while both umpires missed the incident allow the keeper to go unpunished.

Clearly thriving on the lack of match authority the goal keeper then set about delivering a cynical blow to forward Cairns as he waltzed past him for the umptenth time, at least this time Kelburne were able to leave the keeper red faced as Menzies nut megged the keeper from the top of the circle from the resulting penalty.

With a number of small battles developing all over the pitch it became clear that the game was boiling over, although this didnt stop vetran defender Alan Ralph and new recruit Andy ‘Welshman’ Seimann finalsing the scorring.

With two minutes to go Wanderes tempers again boiled over with skipper Bryce being felled from behind, with a challenge that wouldnt have looked out of place in the great pine forests of Canada, and again to everyone’s amazement the Wanderes umpire claimed his view was blocked.

Kelburne closed the game out and headed for home with Bryce again being on the wrong end of a Wanderers challenge, this time though it was as he headed to the A9 and the Wanderers player tried to run him off the road.

AAAAHH THE ROMANCE OF THE CUP.........Kelburne await to see what shinty, ice hockey team the SHU will draw them against in the next round

03/03/07: vs Ayr 1st XI

Ayr: 1
Kelburne: 8

100 and still counting…...........

Kelburne travelled to Ayr knowing that a convincing victory would allow them to pass the 100 goals mark for the league this season, making them the highest scoring team in the country at all levels.

After last weeks scrappy encounters still fresh in the minds, the team were determined to rectify their errors and put in a strong performance to set them up for the final weeks of the season.

For once Burne began from the start and dominated all areas of play from the first whistle with possession being key. Building from the back Kelburne applied early pressure with Ayr unable to cope the produced a number of unforced turnovers to give the Kelburne attack some early sights at goal.

It wasn’t until the 13th minute though that silent assassin Alan Forsyth popped up at the back post to tap in from a few yards out to continue his impressive goal scoring form.

With Ayr now playing 11 men in their own 25 Kelburne had to go some to break down this negative display from the home team and with 5 minutes remaining in the 1st half Josh Cairns added the second. As is so often with Kelburne 2nd XI it can be a few minutes of brilliance that kills the opposition and Wrightson added a 3rd a minute later to give a 3-0 lead at half time.

The 2nd half began with Ayr still shell shocked from the two late goals, however Kelburne were not about to slow down as they pursued the 100 goal target. In another devastating 10 minute display Gordon Menzies scored twice an youngster Cairns got a second.

Cairns then went from hero to villain as a lose pass allowed the Ayr forward in to give the home team something to cheer at.

With 10 minutes to go Menzies completed his hat trick and youngster Cairn completed a tops turvey afternoon to score his hat trick and the teams 100th league goal of the season.

Kelburne take a break from the league this week to focus on Scottish Cup duty in Stirling.

24/02/07: vs Inverleith 2nd XI
25/02/07: vs Edinburgh University 2nd XI

Inverleith: 2
Kelburne: 5

Following last weeks impressive 5-0 victory, Kelburne Men’s 2nd XI came through an all-Edinburgh double-header weekend with victories against capital sides Inverleith and Edinburgh University. Having scored a combined total of 23 goals against this opposition in the first half of the season, Kelburne might have been expecting a stroll in the park but, with several players unavailable due to ill-health and international duty the unbeaten Whitehaugh squad had to raise their game.

Saturday’s game against Inverleith was generally one to forget with the only bright spot being the performance of junior player Josh Cairns who shot up the scoring charts by helping himself to an effortless hat-trick and assist. Disjointed and ill-disciplined throughout, Kelburne were sleep-walking through the game until the double sending off of senior pros McPherson and Menzies shook the team into life. With the return to the field of McPherson after half-time Inverleith were soon on the receiving end of four Kelburne goals in quick succession, the highlight being Cairns’ high drag-flick into the roof of the net.

Despite this lead, Kelburne still couldn’t settle and conceded two sloppy goals on the breakaway. This clearly upset 27-goal forward Wrightson who made a muscular effort to become the first player in many years to get traffic lights (green, yellow and red cards). Fortunately, following some dialogue with the umpire he stopped at yellow and returned to the field to assist in the team’s fifth and final goal.

Sunday
Edinburgh Uni 2nd XI: 2
Kelburne 2nd XI: 8

Kelburne travelled to the capital for the second time in the weekend looking to banish the memories of the previous days game and finish of a six-point weekend in style.

Kelburne began the game well play some excellent two-touch hockey, this early pressure saw Kelburne hit the bar, as well as watching the Uni Keeper make a number of fine saves. The pressure finally paid off and Kelburne took an early lead through Gordon Menzies, and at this stage it looked business as usual.

As always Uni refused to give up and their hard work paid off with 20 mins gone when they gained a free hit out side the circle and poor marking saw their attacker ghost in at the far post and finish calmly to level the scores.

This scare still didn’t awake Kelburne from the slump that they were experiencing with the forwards missing a number of easy opportunities and the midfield being turned over to easily. With minutes remaining Uni scored a carbon copy of their first goal to take a deserved lead.

During the break Kelburne composed themselves and set out their game plan for the 2nd half, if Uni were starting to think they could pull off a surprise when then they were sadly disillusioned.

As in previous games, Kelburne started the 2nd half at a much higher tempo and another 15 minute spell saw young Alan Forsyth score 5 unanswered goals to effectively kill the game. Wrightson added two more and when Andy Bremner excellently cleared of the line Uni knew the game was over and Kelburne controlled the game until the final whistle to finish another successful weekend.

Next week Kelburne travel to Ayr where Craig Walker will be hoping his trip to Manchester has not cost him his place as he looks to move back into the centre midfield role.

17/02/07: vs Grange 2nd XI

Kelburne: 5
Grange: 0

Kelburne 2nds began the second half of the season with a tough home game against 3rd placed Grange, who are the only team to have taken points from Kelburne this season.

Training had been sporadic due to the recent poor weather and a number of the team got a rude awakening during the warm up when it became apparent that not all members of the team had maintained their fitness over the winter break, something fitness coach and former 1st team legend Raymie Wrightson will look to rectify in the coming weeks.

Kelburne began well and didn’t appear to be too ring rusty as they set about commanding the match from the start. With Mikey Bremner setting the foundations at the back the team was able to push on and there were some excellent inter-passing moves. The first break through came on the 12 minute mark when Gordon Menzies opened the scoring from Kelburne’s fourth penalty corner of the game, and this was promptly followed by an sharply worked corner on the 20th minute that saw Craig Walker fire high into the net to consolidate the lead.

The score remained the same until half time as Kelburne’s lack of match fitness began to tell Grange created a number of openings.

Kelburne knew Grange would come out fighting to try and gain something from the game however, it was Kelburne who produced an excellent 10 minute spell to kill the game off with Wrightson scoring twice and youngster Josh Cairns coming of the bench to score the fifth and final goal.

The last 20 minutes was no contest as Grange settled for damage limitation while Kelburne strolled to the final whistle to maintain their undefeated record.

This week Kelburne have a double header in Edinburgh which if they win will move them closer to a 5th straight league title. On Saturday they face Inverleith II at Peffermill and on Sunday the face Edinburgh University II again at Peffermill.

19/11/06: vs. Western 2nd XI

Kelburne: 2
Western: 1

The two great rivals of west coast and Scottish hockey met in a top of the table clash at Bellahouston on Sunday. With Western only trailing on goal difference going into this game, Kelburne were looking to put some clear daylight between them and their nearest challengers.

The defending league champions went into the biggest game of the season so far in far from perfect shape: two regular starters, centre back Stuart Robin and left-winger Josh Cairns, were unavailable for selection while astonishingly, 7 of the squad of 13 had already played at least once already with either the club’s 1st XI or u-16 teams who had both been in action earlier in the day. These distractions combined with the atrocious playing conditions at a sodden Bellahouston created an unusually testing challenge for the Whitehaugh men.

Showing once again why they have only dropped 2 points at home in 4 years, Kelburne set about Western from the start, overwhelming the Glasgow team in an impressive display of possession hockey. Wave after wave of attack eventually bore fruit with right-winger Wrightson slotting away his 20th goal in ten games after persistent play around the opposition ‘D’. Kelburne continued to create problems for the Western defence but crucially failed to get the vital second. They were soon made to regret their profligacy as Western finally managed to break out of their half and win a foul just outside the Kelburne ‘D’. Following some sloppy defending this was converted into a scarcely deserved equaliser.

With an average of 8 goals a game Kelburne normally win their games with superior movement and technical ability, but now they needed to dig deep to grind out a vital result. And this they eventually did though it was far from pretty in carwash-like conditions. After a lot of huffing and puffing, 22-goal top-scorer Gordon Menzies eventually made the decisive break-through with a composed finish after a strong break from midfield by David Forsyth.

The win was the perfect way for the side to finish the first half of the league campaign before retreating to the relative warmth of indoor competition until February. Captain Bryce commented: “The commitment of the team has been amazing since we started pre-season in mid-July. The level of hockey we’ve been playing is incredible for a 2nd XI. Beating Western with everything that was going on was the perfect way to go into the winter break and to pay back all the team’s hard work.

18/11/06: vs. Clydesdale 2nd XI

Clydesdale: 0
Kelburne: 10

No match report.

12/11/06: vs. Aberdeen Grammar School FPs 2nd XI

AGSFP’s: 4
Kelburne: 7

Last years defeated finalist were a shadow of themselves in their first cup game of the season, however this was to be excepted as another successful Club presentation dinner was held on the Saturday night.

After the dinner the first logistical problem the team faced was the 8 am start which proved to much for youngster Josh Cairns and Craig Walker with both due to receive financial penalties for their inability to meet on time.

With a number of hangovers being nursed on the bus, sleep was only interrupted with random statements of intent of how everyone would be expected to put in a performance even though some members of the team were still struggling to focus.

As the game began Kelburne were in a good frame of mind, however this changed in the first minute when Fraser Hutchinson gave an indication of things to come when he ran the ball out the park not realising where the sideline was.

This comical start soon gave way to some good controlled hockey which say the team take an early 4-0 lead with Menzies, Wrightson and Forsyth all looking hungry for goals.

With a further 2 being added before the end.

AGSFP’s gained a lifeline when defender Robin became confused and diverted a hopeful pass onto the forwards stick for him to nutmeg the sleeping Fulton.

If this goal was comical then the 2nd half was to prove the team could slump to new depths of despair as it was one complacent error after another. Keeper Fulton was left exposed on a number of occasions, although he was not at fault for the next 3 goals conceded as he could not be expected to legislate for the atrocious defending provided by the hole team.

One further goal was added by Kelburne to ensure there was no further come back from the home team and a rather sheepish team made their way back on to the bus for the journey home.

Kelburne face title challenges Western next Sunday determined to open up a gap in the title race prior to the winter break.

11/11/06: vs. Strathclyde 2nd XI

Kelburne: 6
Strathclyde University: 0

On a day of foul weather at Bellahouston, Kelburne’s 2nd team hosted the second from bottom Team Strathclyde. With a goal difference of -17 comparing poorly to Kelburne’s +46, the university team understandably turned up looking less than confident. In an astonishing first seven games of the season, Kelburne have slotted in an average of exactly 8 goals a game. Strathclyde’s total of 6 scored in the same time didn’t bode well.

Despite the huge gap in points won and goals scored, Kelburne failed to fully impose themselves on a strong and enthusiastic team. They often appeared to have the club’s presentation dinner and the next day’s cup game on their minds as an unusually scrappy game played out in the driving sleet.

Scrappy or not, Kelburne always score and so it proved. With the students struggling to break out of their half, Gordon Menzies made the break-through, showing all his experience in the D by making space for a precise finish. This was soon followed by a second from the unstoppable Wrightson who along with fellow skilled veteran Menzies has accounted for the majority of Kelburne goals this season. The scoring for the first half was wrapped up by Bryce with a break into the D from midfield following more tireless work by Wrightson.

After the break an increasingly defensive Strathclyde team appeared intent on damage limitation. This wasn’t going to stop an irrepressible Kelburne attack and youngster David Forsyth showed why he is pushing for a 1st XI place by making it 4-0 with a sharp finish following an impressive team move. Menzies was having no joy in front of goal, and he was denied by a fortunate point-blank save by the keeper after turning the student defence inside-out. Strathclyde were living a charmed life, and it was no more than Kelburne deserved when McGinley and Cairns finished the scoring to give a final score of 6-0.
Overall, Strathclyde were barely seen as an attacking force with keeper Fulton’s considerable talents only called on twice to deal with fairly undemanding situations. Kelburne’s victory margin should have been more emphatic. Captain Bryce commented that “Although we didn’t play our best hockey, most teams would be delighted with 6-0. I’m especially pleased with the clean sheet after conceding some sloppy goals earlier in the season. Our defence will be just as important as our attack next weekend against Western.‼/p>

28/10/06: vs. Stepps 2nd XI

Stepps: 1
Kelburne: 8

Kelburne travelled to Millerston still with out the ill Craig Walker, who’s time on the sidelines could be as long as the NHS waiting list that he is on.

Fellow injured senior pro David Fowler joined up with the squad to help Captain Bryce verbalise his technical thoughts, this could prove to be a interesting appointment and the younger members of the team will be sure to benefit from Fowlers “experience” and “experiences”.

Looking to build on their emphatic victory over Edinburgh Uni the team began the game well creating a number of early openings, however it soon became apparent that none of the forwards were at the races and as each chance was squandered the team grew more frustrated and started to force passes which resulted in Stepps being allowed to think that they had a chance in the game.

Frustrations boiled over after 15 mins when both captains were green carded, after veteran Stuart Robin decided he was going to enforce his own form of justice should the Stepps forward continue to assault 14 year old Mickey Bremner. This break allowed the team to gather their thoughts and for Fowler to dispense some tactical changes. It took a further 10 mins to for these changes to take effect when Gordon Menzies pounced on a lose ball and slammed it home, two minutes later Menzies provided Wrightson with a simple flick over the keeper to finish the half 0-2.

The second half began with Kelburne still asleep and Stepps setting up a high press to try and contain the threat, this paid off after 5 mins when Menzies was cheaply robbed of the ball to leave Robin and keeper Fulton with a 4 on 1 which Stepps converted to reduce the advantage to one goal.

This goal proved to be the turning point in the game and in many ways Stepps will wish they never scored it so early in the game. Captain Bryce took the lead and 3 minutes later he converted a penalty corner, and duly followed this with a carbon copy two minutes later. Menzies then scored on 52 minutes with a low flick past the keeper after some good work by Wrightson. Youngster Alan Forsyth then continued his good run off form with a goal after some more good work by Wrightson. After the dire % return on short corners in the first half Menzies added a positive late on and converted another to give Kelburne a 6 goal lead. The goal of the game was then scored with 1 minute remaining when youngster Josh Cairns found young Forsyth at the top of the circle and he struck a lovely reverse stick volley to finish the scoring at 8.

Kelburne are now in a good position as they prepare for the local derby game against Western, but their biggest challenge is themselves as again they did not play to their potential but still emerged comfortable winners. The SHU needs to look at the set up of the league if it is to continue to develop stars for the future as this team has dominated the league for 5 years without being under pressure to deliver week in week out, it is this gulf in standards that is proving difficult to address and assist in the transition of players from the 2nd XI to the 1 XI.

21/10/06: vs. Edinburgh University 2nd XI

Kelburne: 14
Edinburgh Uni: 1

Kelburne made some late team changes for this game with Euan Carmichael being replaced by Matt McGinlay, and Fraser Hutchinson being drafted in to replace Craig Walker who is still hospital with a mystery illness. The absence of the Walker spurred the team on as they went out to dominate a fit and athletic Uni side.

The game went on to produce one of the most complete performances that has been seen from the 2nd eleven this season with McGinlay, Alan Forsyth, Mickey Bremner and Josh Cairns excelling in their positions. This game showed that on their day the 2nds are the best bar none within their division capable of producing hockey that will demolish the opposition.

Right from the start Kelburne pressed the visitors and dominated the midfield and attack and Raymond Wrightson got the first of four after linking well with the midfield, with further goals from Gordon Menzies, Cairns, and Forsyth. With 5 mins remaining of the half Uni gained a short corner and converted to finish the half 6-1 down.

The second half saw Kelburne set the standards for the rest of the season with an exceptional display of fluid attacking hockey that saw a further 8 goals scored.

Goals came from A Forsyth, David Forsyth, Percy, Skipper Bryce, Menzies and Wrightson.

The 2’s travel Stepps next weekend to take on the newly promoted team with ambitions of producing a similar performance to show that this team have now clicked and make the rest of Scottish Hockey sit up and take notice by producing similar scorelines week in and week out.

14/10/06: vs. Watsonians 2nd XI

Watsonians: 0
Kelburne: 5

Kelburne travelled to Edinburgh in high spirits after the previous weeks demolition of Ayr, although Euan Carmichael is sure to ensure some disciplinary action after his near no show.

Kelburne knew from the start that this game would see them grinding out a result as the old and slow sand based pitch that Watsonians play on is not suited to the quick one two hockey that Kelburne play and this was backed up by the fact that the free flowing 1XI only scored 7 goals on their visit last weekend.

The game began with Kelburne creating the early chances and it wasn’t long before Mark Fulton and his defence became redundant.

The initial pressure paid off when Gordon Menzies slotted the ball home from close range, after some decent play by the forwards. A second was quickly added when Raymond Wrightson drilled a low shot past the keeper to all but kill the game. The highlight of the first half was the third goal scored by baby face Alan Forsyth. Forsyth was keen to impress after having been recalled at short notice to replace the absent Caldwell and after some good build up play by Cairns, Forsyth pop up at the far post to gain his first of the game.

As in recent weeks the second half was again a story of missed chances as the Kelburne forwards failed to find the killer touch once inside the oppositions’ circle. However Wrightson and Forsyth added one a piece to finalise the Kelburne scoring. Mark Fulton then displayed the mental concentration that has seen him play at the highest level, as it wasn’t until the 65th Minute that he was called into action, but excellent reactions and a fine stick save saw Kelburne maintain their clean sheet as the game finished 0-5.

Kelburne travel to Edinburgh again next week to play Edinburgh Uni in what is always an unpredictable game as each year see’s new talent emerge and depart the Uni side. Although I doubt many bookies would take bets on Uni inflicting the first league defeat in 3 seasons.

07/10/06: vs. Ayr 1st XI

Kelburne: 10
Ayr: 3

Kelburne cruised to another easy victory although the spent the majority of the second half in a dream world. Kelburne started the game brightly however found the first opening hard to come by until they were awarded a penalty after Raymond Wrightson’s goal bound touch was illegally cleared of the line. Gordon Menzies converted the penalty on the 19th minute and the flood gates opened with a further 3 goals scored in a devastating 6 minute spell.

Josh Cairns and Chris Caldwell added one a piece to make the score 6-0 at half time, although with 2 minutes to go experienced defenders Walker and Robin decided to add some comedy to the proceedings which allowed Ayr a rare attacking presence.

Kelburne began the second half brightly and Cairns and Wrightson added further goals to take the lead to 8-0, at this stage the game was over however Kelburne relaxed and let Ayr score a 3 goals before responding with a further 2 themselves.

Kelburne play Watsonians this week looking to continue the free scoring form which is becoming the clubs trade mark

30/09/06: vs. Inverleith 2nd XI

Kelburne: 9
Inverleith: 3

Kelburne were back to a near strength side with only Craig Walker and Alan Ralph missing. Kelburne began the game well although still let themselves get caught up in the pace of the game rather than dictating the pace to the opposition. As the team develops it is this authority that they need to learn to assert on other teams.

The ever improving Chris Caldwell opened the scoring after a nice interchange of passing between the Kelburne forwards. As has been the case in recent games it was sloppy tackling that allowed the opposition back into the game by giving away a soft penalty corner which they scored to level the game with 10 mins of the second half remaining.

The second half began with Kelburne playing some excellent hockey and this say the Caldwell complete his hat trick with further goals from captain Bryce and youngster Josh Cairns. At this stage Kelburne became complacent and conceded a further 2 penalty corners which Inverleith scored. Kelburne responded by moving veteran Centre Back Gordon Menzies to CF which immediately paid dividends as he scored two vital goals. 1st Xi fringe player Adam Bain then completed the scoring with a final goal to make it 9-3.

This week Kelburne entertain Ayr

23/09/06: vs. Grange 2nd XI

Grange: 2
Kelburne: 2

This match was affected by pitch congestion and with only 48hrs to go before the game after Grange rearrange the start time from 12.30 to 3.30, which immediately saw Kelburne lose 4 of their senior pro’s due to a variety of commitments which provided a number of the new emerging stars their chance to shine and prove their worth in the squad.

Grange are the only team to inflict a defeat on the Kelburne 2nd team in the last 3 seasons although this was in sudden death penalties at last years Scottish cup final. The game started at a high tempo with Kelburne struggling to adapt to the slow sand based pitch which had an effect on their running game. Possession was equal until Fraser Hutchinson turned the ball over in his own half. This unforced error led to Grange scoring an early goal as the Kelburne defence missed tackle after tackle.

As was the case last season by conceding the goal Kelburne actually began to play the better hockey and looked more composed and gradually possession and chances began to come their way. With about 10 minutes remaining Kelburne won a short corner which Adam Bain converted to level the scores.

If the first Grange goal had been a result of an unforced error then the second was farcical and would not have been out of place on you have been framed. Kelburne won a corner in their opponents have and then proceeded to play the ball back to the half way line where the Grange forwards picked the ball up and went 3 on 2 with the Kelburne defence prior to miss timing the ball into the bottom corner to take the lead.

Thankfully that was all the action for the first half and Kelburne had a chance to regroup. With coach Steve Foster able to explain that the forwards need to get their press right Kelburne started the 2nd half in ascendance.

The turn around was complete when with 10 minutes left and a number of missed penalty corner chances Kelburne levelled after David Forsyth pounced on a loss bath and drove it high into the net. After seeing out a late surge from Grange both teams left with a point.

Although unlike Kelburne to drop points so early in the season the team must look at this as 2 points saved from grange as apposed to 2 points lost as it is likely that these two teams will be contenders at the end of the season.

Kelburne are at home to Inverleith next week who will also pose some questions to this team’s title aspiration.

16/09/06: vs. Clydesdale 2nd XI

Kelburne: 7
Clydesdale: 1

Saturday saw the long awaited return to competitive action for the Kelburne 2nd XI after another successful preseason the team were determined to erase last years cup final loss from their memories.

Newly promoted Clydesdale were the opponents at Bella as Kelburne aimed to assert their dominance. Kelburne looked up for the challenge with an impressive warm up but all the nervous energy of the new season boiled over with midfielder Bain being yellow carded after 30 secs and not having touched the ball.

This flustered the ‘Burne with players looking on edge as passes were sent astray and no one able to grip the game by the scruff of the neck.

Mid way through the first half Kelburne earned a short corner which was Gordon Menzies and this had a calming effect on the team with further goals from Bain and Menzies.

Clydesdale still posed the occasional threat and with 5 mins remaining their attack managed to get on the end of a cross into the circle and convert the deflection, which was deserved after a number of similar attacks.

The 2nd half saw a more composed Kelburne resume and quickly dominate the game with some good interlinking hockey and further goals from Wrightson x 2, Caldwell 1 and Bain 1.

However Bain’s nightmare start to the season continued as he failed to convert a penalty flick when going for his hat trick and leaving the score at 7-1.

This week the team go to Edinburgh to play Grange their title challengers last year.

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Diff	Pts
Kelburne II	10	9	1	0	74	11	63	28
Western Wildcats II	11	9	1	1	35	11	24	28
Grange II	10	7	2	1	34	8	26	23
Ayr	11	4	3	4	25	29	-4	15
Greaves Clydesdale II	11	4	2	5	18	32	-14	14
Watsonians II	11	4	1	6	22	33	-11	13
Stepps II	10	3	0	7	15	39	-24	9
Inverleith II	9	2	2	5	26	30	-4	8
Edinburgh University II	8	1	0	7	9	36	-27	3
Deloitte Team Strathclyde	9	1	0	8	10	39	-29	3

NAME: Gordon Menzies
NICKNAME: Beast, Veteran?
AGE: 27
OCCUPATION: Teacher
BORN: Paisley
LIVES: Glasgow
POSITION: Forward, Defender?
SHIRT NUMBER:??
GOALS LAST SEASON: 0
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: Scotland Under 21

NAME:Mark Fulton
NICKNAME:Fulton, jug convenor, im sure there are a few others!!!
AGE:25
OCCUPATION:Bar Manager at Kelburne Airport
BORN:Paisley
LIVES:Paisley
POSITION:Goalkeeper, part time right wing
SHIRT NUMBER:1
GOALS LAST SEASON:0
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:Scotland Under 21

NAME:Colin Bryce
NICKNAME:Bomber
AGE:28
OCCUPATION:Teacher
BORN:Paisley
LIVES:Paisley
POSITION:Midfield
SHIRT NUMBER:10
GOALS LAST SEASON:18
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:Scotland Under 21

NAME: Chris Caldwell
NICKNAME: Caldy
AGE: 20
OCCUPATION: Student/Barman
BORN: Paisley
LIVES: Renfrew
POSITION: Forward
SHIRT NUMBER: 15
GOALS LAST SEASON: 14 supposedly!!
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: West District…. wow!

NAME: Stuart Robin
NICKNAME: Tony Blair/Robin
AGE: 30
OCCUPATION: Accountant
BORN:Paisley
LIVES:Paisley
POSITION:Centre Back
SHIRT NUMBER:7
GOALS LAST SEASON:1

NAME: Ewan Carmichael
NICKNAME: Glass Man/Sicknote
AGE: 21
OCCUPATION: Student / Barstaff
BORN: RAH
LIVES: Houston
POSITION: Treatment Table
SHIRT NUMBER: 13
GOALS LAST SEASON: 0

NAME:Michael Bremner
NICKNAME:Mikey, Bremmy
AGE:14
OCCUPATION:student!! no joy!!
BORN:Paisley
LIVES:Kilbarchan
POSITION:defence/ midfield
SHIRT NUMBER:25
GOALS LAST SEASON:
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: scotland under 16

NAME: RAYMOND WRIGHTSON
NICKNAME:RAMBO, BM.
AGE:27
OCCUPATION:SALES MANAGER
BORN:GLASGOW
LIVES:PAISLEY
POSITION:FORWARD
SHIRT NUMBER:3
GOALS LAST SEASON: 19
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: AUSTRALIA COMMONWEALTH GOLD MEDALIST

NAME:ADAM BAIN
NICKNAME:Baino,easy
AGE:19
OCCUPATION:coach/barman
BORN:glasgow
LIVES:paisley
POSITION:def/mid
SHIRT NUMBER:5
GOALS LAST SEASON:9
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:scotland under 16/18

NAME:Alan Forsyth
NICKNAME: Wee Man
AGE: 14
OCCUPATION: student
BORN: Paisley
LIVES:Paisley
POSITION:Forward(Part-time Goalkeeper)
SHIRT NUMBER: 23
GOALS LAST SEASON: 1
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: Scotland u16s

NAME: DAVID FORSYTH
NICKNAME: Forsyth!
AGE: 17
OCCUPATION: STUDENT/WAITER/FACTORY WORKER!
BORN: PAISLEY
LIVES: PAISLEY
POSITION: EVERYWHERE BUT GK
SHIRT NUMBER: 12
GOALS LAST SEASON: 8
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: SCOTLAND UNDER 18S

NAME: MATTHEW McGINLEY
NICKNAME: MATT, MATTY
AGE: 17
OCCUPATION: STUDENT
BORN: GLASGOW
LIVES: DALMUIR
POSITION: DEFENCE/MIDFIELD
SHIRT NUMBER: 17
GOALS LAST SEASON: 1
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: SCOTLAND U16

NAME: Alan Ralph
NICKNAME: Ralphy
AGE: 30
OCCUPATION: Business Development Manager
BORN: Aberdeen
LIVES: Paisley
POSITION: Defence
SHIRT NUMBER: 11
GOALS LAST SEASON: 5 in Indoor
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: Scotland U21

The 2nd XI is a team which allows players who have played at the top level of Scottish hockey to continue playing a good standard of hockey while also providing an ideal development environment for older junior players aiming to become 1st XI players.