After the fighting performance of the week previous the GCW first Team travelled to Stirling University to face the students including our very own ( she still is) Grace Morrison. The weather was kind and we all had enough petrol to get there and back. A couple of selection issues as we were missing Jess Walker, Emma Cornwell and Connie Hatfield but this created debuts for Kirsty Dewhirst and Ailsa Quantrill in goals.

GCW started brightly in attack with Nicole Duffin pressing the right side of the circle in the early minute or two. However as the first period progressed GCW’s passing was slow and a little erratic leading to more pressure on the defence. Eventually a penalty corner or two was conceded and Stirling got a goal in 12 minutes from a corner which was well saved initially by Ailsa but Stirling reacted to the rebounds better and forced the ball home for a 1-0 lead.

A small change in formation saw GCW gradually get into the game and the passing began to be more reliable. This caused some consternation in the students ranks and indiscipline followed wit home cards issued by the umpires. However just as GCW were getting the ascendancy we also knocked the ball away and received a yellow card as our reward.

The rest of the game was about GCW pressing but real chances only started to come later in the game with a shot from Alanna Willox met well by the home keeper. A short corner was then fired narrowly over the bar by Heather Hunter. The attacks became a little more frantic but a fine break late on leaving two GCW players versus one defender was just intercepted at the last minute and the game fizzled out to a 1-0 win for the students. A game where a draw was the least the side deserve but we do need to start games better.

Ailsa Quantrill in goal stepped up well and produced some fine blocks and kicks to show no nerves and Kirsty Dewhirst also showed some composure in possession, despite this being her first game at this level. Next week we take on Aberdeen University at Rubislaw and hopefully we can start better and get the result we deserve.

On Sunday the girls 3s drew 1-1 with BAMBC 2s scoring in the last 20 seconds through Sophie Love to earn a well deserved point. The girls 4s defeated Ellon 3-0 with goals from Ruth Paterson, Jo Thomas and Esther Walterson, age clearly no limit there..