MENS 1st XI MATCH REPORTS
Saturday 4th October 2014
DUNDEE WANDERERS 1 - 2 WESTERN WILDCATS (McCartney 2)
Western Wildcats picked up a second win on the road and returned back across the Tay with all 3 points in hand, but they were made to work hard for the result by a dogged display from Dundee Wanderers who came within a few minutes of snatching a sensational draw.
Shorn of veteran Vishal Marwaha due to family commitments, Coach Dunlop called young gun Nikki Homfray up to the squad but was otherwise able to name a full strength 15 with captain Gavin Sommerville returning in the nets for the National League Division 1 clash. Western started the stronger and indeed could have been a goal up in the first minute after some enterprising play by Ian Moodie ended in a shot just off target. The Cats were really purring and on the 10th minute the first goal arrived courtesy of a precision pass into the danger area from Rob Harwood found Scott McCartney unmarked. A deft deflection past the goalie put Western a goal up and they were looking good value for their lead. Further goals at this point could have put the game to bed, but the score remained 1-0 at half time despite the best efforts of the Western front line.
The second half started in much the same vein, but it was Dundee Wanderers who were to find the net next after a 5 minute purple patch for the men in black resulted in a goal against the run of play. The Cats had been pegged back to 1-1 but with 25 minutes still to play had plenty of time to convert their dominance into goals. Chances came and went as Western found themselves camped in opposition half, but could not engineer a way past an obdurate Wanderers defence who had long given up any notion of attack. The excellent defensive display was finally punctured in the 67th minute as Moodie was felled in the process of shooting. McCartney slotted the subsequent penalty and a relieved Western side played out the last few minutes to secure a slender win and a very welcome 3 points.
Sunday 5th October 2014
GRANGE 4 - 1 WESTERN WILDCATS (Sinclair)
The Wildcats finished a gruelling double header weekend with a disappointing 4-1 reverse to Edinburgh rivals Grange HC. In a game where Western promised much but delivered little, The Cats will be cursing their inability to find the net in what was otherwise an even and fiercely contested clash.
It was Grange who opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute when Western failed to clear the danger and the loose ball was squared across goal before being converted into an empty net. Western threatened at the other end with several penalty corners but failed to find their rhythm at the set piece and the deficit remained 1-0 at half time.
The second half brought more Western pressure but they failed to close the door at the other end and Grange were next on the score sheet; Cammy Fraser scoring a peach of a reverse stick to make it 2-0. The Cats rallied and within a few minutes had clawed themselves back into the match courtesy of a well deserved goal from new signing Andrew Sinclair who was supreme in midfield for the Milngavie side. With their tails up, Wildcats attacked the opposition goal with gusto but a combination of wasteful finishing and some handy goalkeeping from Hadfield kept them at bay. Two late strikes for Grange put the result beyond doubt and Western were left to rue their profligacy in front of goal.