Kinross Men's 1 (2) vs Fidra 1 (4)

Another enjoyable game, but not the result we were looking for...

Kinross were once again struggling for numbers with two games at near enough identical times. With a bare 11 (same situation for the 2s) and with the help of Karen (who umpired both games),  the club managed to complete the scheduled fixtures.

The Men's 1 game started 30 min late as both sides waited on their umpires, who had both been officiating at the Men's 2 game in Dunfermline. Fidra made best use of the wait, running drills and small side games, and were clearly more switched on from the off as Kinross did the exact opposite of the team talk and found themselves 2-0 down in the first 5 minutes.  The first as a result of the forward latching on to a leave and the second a well taken lifted cross batted past the keeper.  The game then flowed back and forward with both sides strong in the tackle and playing to their skills. Fidra concentrated on short passes to open up space and then send the ball forwards whilst Kinross broke quickly with quick angled passes. Kinross continued to have chances but the final pass or shot was not coming off. The Fidra keeper made numerous good saves which were quickly cleared out by their defence. Kinross continued to press with the pace of Andy S and Lewis out wide complemented by the trickery in the middle of the park shown by Arthur and Chris. Despite being 2-0 down at HT Kinross still had a chance to get back into the game and spirits were still high.

The second half started with Kinross trying a traditional Fidra trick of firing an aerial up the park and Arthur almost got on the end of the first move of the half. This signalled the start of a much more open second half as the limited Kinross numbers meant spaces appeared as the side tired and the same seemed true of the better resourced opponents. The open game meant there were many more chances for the spectators to watch (the ooos, ahhhs and groans were greatly appreciated!). The Kinross defence dealt with the aerial ball well, with David B and Gordon keeping their cool and Lauchie and Ollie V providing outlets and keeping the overlapping midfielders quiet.  Alas, Kinross were to go 3 down after being caught high up the pitch and a series of accurate and hard passes set the Fidra left mid free (with no chance of Dave G catching him in time), and he deftly nudged the ball past the onrushing Alex to just clip the post and roll in. Kinross then finally go on the score-sheet thanks to the rapier like pace of Andy S. Chasing what many through would have been too strong a pass he muscled his defender out of the way and drove the ball home. 3-1 and looking more respectable.  Fidra continued to attack on the break and from one of the games many short corners put one low into the bottom left just out of the reach of the post man and keeper. 4-1. Gurdi then demonstrated his mercurial skills in the final phases of the game constantly driving at the opposition, who couldn't lay a stick on the ball. From one of the resultant corners Kinross slipped the ball right to Dave G, who's pushed shot was going wide, but deflected on the line by Lewis onto the post for the lurking Gurdi to force the ball over the line. 4-2 and that is how it finished. Once again positive stuff from the game play but a need to start quicker and hopefully find some more players for the club would be the take home lessons.

Scotland Ladies train at KAS

So the Scotland Ladies squad were down at KAS last night for a training session. They all arrived bright and early, which gave them a good chance to pick up some tips from the Korinthians who had kindly agreed to be bumped to an earlier time to allow the hockey goddesses to play.

It was nice to see so many people turning up to watch the training session - lots of Korinthians stayed on for a bit, and quite a few Kobras braved the chill. We were much taken with the style of coaching (small-sided game, small sided game and more small-sided game, with chats in between but very little as the action unfolded) and also by the sheer pace of it all. Those of you who fancy a bit of variety in your training sessions will also be interested to know that every 15 minutes, after running round like mad things, the squad were required to fight off the exhaustion and complete a series of logic and mathematical puzzles while they got their breath back. Must try that on the Kobras.

The squad were very friendly and coach Gordon Shepherd was kind enough to pop over and explain what they were up to at one point. And we got a picture or two at the end, which was just as well because they weren't good at standing still. 

Kinross Men's 2 (1) vs Peebles (5)

Kinross came up against a dynamic Peebles side who were fresh off the back of a resounding 10-0 win the previous week. The result masks what was a thrilling and enjoyable game in glorious November sunshine at the Kinross Astro, With a much more youthful team than the one the previous week (which looked at one point to have the youngest player being 46, until the welcome return of Andy Stevenson), the game was full of buzzing bodies charging about from both sides. 

The first 15 minutes were very even with neither side able to capitalise on a handful of chances. Peebles then took the lead with a well taken opportunity from a communication mix up at the back (Lesson 1 for next week is definitely up the talking). Kinross then had several chances that seemed to favour the area around the goal rather than between the posts (Lesson 2 shooting practice needed, especially for the author...). Peebles then grabbed another with Sandy latching on to a looped bouncing ball to reverse baseball bat past the onrushing William. Chances continued to come and go with excellent running from Gav, Vince, Finn, Lewis and Chris in various combinations as the front 3. The experimental midfield setup seemed to benefit the play with plenty of 'meat' in the engine room which helped to frustrate Peebles skillful midfield trio. Alas continued pressure and some overlapping runs led to another goal for the away side before it was time for a rest.

The second half continued much as the first with good flowing hockey, helped by the excellent whistling from the two umpires. The game continued to flow with chances coming mainly for Kinross but a lack of the final killer pass or shot let us down. Finally, after about the 100th shot of the game, Vince Banks held the ball up in the D with his back to goal and unselfishly laid the ball back for Dave G to  put the ball between the sticks. Chances of a Kinross fightback didn't last long with another Peebles goal, well taken by their No.9 at the back post before a 5th sealed the deal. Both sides left the field having enjoyed an enthralling 70 minutes and just avoided the downpour which was saved for Dunfermline Carnegie vs Stirling Wanderer's which followed (This Kinross Astro is a popular place to play it seems).

Next week: High flying Dunfermline City (away)