GCW U18s Ladies were off to Peffermill yesterday to take part in the U18 National Club Cup. It turned out to be a fruitful day and many youngsters were given the chance to feature for the first time in Connie Hatfield’s side.

First up was a game against Paisley outfit Kelburne. The first half looked like both sides were still getting travel weariness out of their systems but chances were missed by both sides. In the second half GCW started to exert some dominance and were unlucky not to score on two or three occasions when balls were fired over from the right just to elude GCW sticks on the back post. The goal did come however in the last 5 minutes when a Kirsty Dewhirst shot found it’s way to Eva Sheal who decided to end everyone’s worries and put the ball in the back of the net. 1-0 win GCW.

The second game featured a game against Highland. GCW were confident but the pressure and open play control of the game was not producing the goods. However just before half time a penalty corner was flicked home by Heather Hunter to put GCW 1-0 up. In the second half it was one way traffic but it took a second penalty corner from Heather Hunter to seal the deal.

The final game of the day was against Inverleith and nothing but a win for GCW would do to make the semi finals next month. However it was not to be. A fine reverse strike from an Inverleith forward put them one up in 5 minutes and two rather fortuitous deflections allowed Inverleith to go in 3-0 up at half time.

GCW came out much more resolutely in the second half and pressed their opponents back. It did however take a fine stretching save from Alison Akiri in the GCW goal to keep the score at 3-0. The final decisive action of the game was a fine high stick save by the iInverleith defence from a well flicked corner that looked goal bound for the top corner.

A positive day for a young GCW U18s but all are looking forward to next year. Thanks to Esther for assisting, the various drivers, for photographer Ross Hunter and of course our umpire Alix Mowatt.