The women’s National League returned o Saturday and GCW had a new away fixture and a new team to field at Kilgraston against Perthshire. We certainly could have wished for a better preparation period with training issues and lack of games being the major issue.

The day did not start well with illness requiring one early mornng call off and a couple of girls still carrying coughing bouts with them We did however travel wit ha squad of 14 and some keen parents who turned out to be photographers and game analysts. GCW fielded two debutants at this level and saw a return for Jessica Walker in goal.

The pre match chat was about playing sensibly and trying to put a game plan in place and stamping our authority on the game early. Well if truth be told we were bossed about by the opposition in the first 10 minutes of the game. We were not really at match speed or strength and found ourselves 2-0 in under 10 minutes. The side rallied by the end of the first quarter and had a couple of chances to get back into the game,  however this proved to be an indication of what was to come.

As the game progressed GCW began to get their press sorted and created various opportunities but we were never clinical in front of goal. In the match GCW had 13 shots at goal and over 20 circle penetrations but never got the ultimate result of a goal. As the final quarter started GCW were pressing high and got caught on the counter as the home side made it 3-0.

Plusses from the game would be it was a game and the start of gaining match speed and fitness, we got better as the game progressed. Negatives we need to turn chances into goals and not be asleep at the beginning to avoid chasing a game we deserved much more from. Final score Perthshire 3-0 GCW