M1s Indoor - GW1 - INL2 (04/11/21)

Hillhead's indoor first team arrived in Stirling in good spirits despite only having a squad of 7 for their opening Indoor National League 2 game against Falkirk.

Preparations weren't ideal after injuries picked up by Craig Hilton and Andrew Black in a midweek friendly but fortunately both had recovered for a busy day of indoor. The game started frantically with both teams trying to remember how to play indoor hockey following 2 years away from the sport. Hillhead opened the scoring through John Reid before a lapse in concentration and weak defending allowed Falkirk to score instantly with a dribble from the restart.

Two more goals then followed for Falkirk either side of half time with Hillhead facing an uphill battle. After a couple of misplaced penalty corner injections Hillhead decided to switch sides and it paid off with Fraser Ward slotting one high past the onrushing keeper. Goals for each team followed, although none from Iain Hilton who inexplicably turned down a sitter from the penalty spot, attempting to square it instead. John Reid evened the score again at 4-4, nutmegging the keeper with a casual reverse before Andrew Black put Hillhead into the lead shortly after.

The packed stand of spectators at the far side of the hall were treated to a dramatic ending as Falkirk won a penalty corner with seconds on the clock. When the flick was charged down and the ball cleared from the circle, Hillhead thought they had won it but another penalty corner was awarded. The next penalty corner was a repeat of the previous and this time the final whistle blew to confirm Hillhead's first 3 points of the season... just.

FT: Hillhead 5 - 4 Falkirk

Hillhead went into match two of the day with reinforcements. Grant Macmillan arrived after a morning of school coaching while Ewan Campbell now provided coaching from the side (rumour has it he only came through because the café at The Peak is so good).

Clydesdale opened the scoring after cutting through the Hillhead defences before the West End side equalised after seven minutes through captain Andrew Black. Further chances arrived for Hillhead through John Reid but the first of his shots from the baseline were not successful - neither was attempt two or three. Quarter two saw both teams be rather lax in possession, resulting in the hockey on show being fast and end to end. However, Hillhead were able to build a bit of pressure towards the end of the period. However no goals were scored and the game was tied 1-1 at half time.

Q3 saw no goals.

The intensity ramped up in the final quarter, Craig Hilton put Hillhead into the lead following a strong drive out of defence from Fraser Ward. Hillhead failed to take advantage of Clydesdale going down a player and soon after returning to full strength Clydesdale found their equaliser to make it 2-2.

Going into the final seconds it was clear both sides wanted a winner. It was to be Clydesdale who got there first - scoring with about 20 seconds left on the clock. Fraser Ward quickly retrieved the ball and made his way to the centre spot. Taking a quick centre pass to himself he drove through the Clydesdale defence who broke the play down with a cynical stick tackle. Craig Hilton slipped the resulting corner to Fraser at top D who snap flicked the ball at the goal - hitting the Clydesdale players glove and leg on the line. Despite a delay due to the protestations, Fraser confidently stepped up and roofed his penalty stroke.

FT: Hillhead 3 - 3 Clydesdale (Watch the full game here)

Going into the third and final game Hillhead got their prep work done early, with the team talk taking place an hour ahead of schedule due to Coach Campbell’s watch not having been used since the clocks changed…

However, once the game against Dunfermline Carnegie finally did get underway it was as if Hillhead forgot how to play indoor hockey. Their passing was poor, tackling was poor, position on the court was poor. Resulting in a 0-7 deficit at half time.

However, the team rallied, winning the second half 5-2 with a much-improved performance. John Reid scored a delightful hattrick - though none from the baseline. Obviously this was not enough to turn around the result, but it did show that the team has the quality to tussle with one of the strongest teams in the league and a rematch is eagerly awaited.

FT: Hillhead 5 - 9 Dunfermline Carnegie