Sat 26th Nov 2016 – Michael Cockburn’s goal midway through the second half was enough for PSL Teamsports Clydesdale 1st XI to beat Gordonians 2-1 at Countesswells which sealed their first win of the outdoor season.
Going in to the game, the sides were National League 1’s bottom two, and a win for either team could prove to be vital to their future survival hopes. It was Clydesdale who struck first early in the first half through Ben Keoghan O’Keeffe. After good build up down the left hand side, the ball found its way to O’Keeffe who took his chance to score his first ever goal for ‘Dale. However, the home side responded not long before half time after a penalty corner was converted. With the game on a knife edge after 50 minutes, Cockburn put Clydesdale back in the lead with a well taken shot from the left of the penalty circle. ‘Dale hung on till the end and were indebted to a string of crucial saves from ‘keeper Grant Scott to wrap up the three points. The result leaves Clydesdale five points clear of Gordonians and six points away from safety of a relegation play-off place although they do have two games in hand. This was also the final game before the indoor season begins on Saturday 10th December.
In other Men’s reports, the 2’s were not in action on Saturday having completed the first half of the season the previous week. The 3’s game on Saturday was called off due to a frozen pitch and subsequently finished their season off for the indoor season. The 4’s and 5’s games were also called off due to the freezing weather, however both teams still have games next Saturday.
In the ladies section, Milne Craig Clydesdale Western’s 1st XI had their top of the table clash with Grove Menzieshill cancelled due to the recent icy weather. Despite this postponement, Clydesdale Western remain top of the Women’s National League 1 going into the indoor season, having won all of their seven preceding games. ‘Dale Western 2’s did, however, manage to play against Grove’s 2’s, sealing a 5-1 win in Dalnacraig. Goals from Lesley Cosh, Laura Mann, Sophie Highet, Julie Lonergan and Chloe Mathers completing the win, leaving the 2’s top of the Championship League having won all nine of their games played. The Ladies 3’s, 4’s, 5’s and 6’s were called off due to the weather.
By Jeetinder Berman
