City hosted there annual Walker Memorial Tournament at Woodmill on 9th September.
Such was the demand that six teams took part this year including newcomers Stirling Wanderers and Dunfermline Carnegie.
In conditions very similar to the very recent Shipley stag week in Tenerife, the two Dunfermline teams started the tournament at 10.00 am, the beginning of six hours of continuous hockey.
A mixture of Carnegie thirds and fourths proved to be too strong for a City squad missing the dubious quality of Miller, Rintoul, Spreng, Maxl and Whitsed who all claimed alternative planned activities. A 3-0 scoreline to Carnegie was a fair reflection given they had a cast of thousands. Even the return for a day of Alan Griffiths and Ryan Green could turn the tide. Plenty of effort but hard going against youngsters moving the ball around well.
Other observations from the first round of matches were that Stirling have strengthened since last season with a number of new recruits plus some from there first team plus the usual team of 1.5 Fidra, a good strong squad mixing their firsts and seconds.
Next up for City was a 1-0 defeat to Stirling Wanderers, see above, who were too strong for City but we shall see who faces us the the forth coming league fixtures. Carnegie and Fidra continus beating all in front of them.
Third up for City was Dundee Wanderers who brought through a squad, care off former President Mike McInally, more like City and in an even game, goal scoring god Colin C scored our only goal of the day, I'm sure he said his shot rocketed into the top corner from the edge of the circle or it could have been the rain, but it was a win and Fidra and Carnegie continued winning.
City put up a good fight against the tough Fidra squad, losing 2-0, but no shame and again good effort. Surprise in this round, despite total domination and constant pressure Carnegie could not force a winner against Stirling, advantage Fidra going into the last round.
As it stood after four games Fidra were heading the table by just one point over Carnegie, meaning they needed to beat Fidra to win the day. City's last game was a disappointing loss to Kinross, a game City would have hoped to have won but not to be with a 2-0 loss. And so it came to last game, expertly umpired I thought, with the whole day resting on the outcome. In an excellent game with chances at both ends I think a draw was a fair outcome. This result ensured Fidra won their first Walker Tournament by just one point from Carnegie, with Stirling a deserved third, Kinross fourth, City fifth with Wanderers bringing up the rear.
A brief summary, the day went well, more money than ever was raised and thanks to Stirling who gave an extra £20 donation. The quality of hockey was very good especially the top two. The Luff Catering Company provided excellent fodder for the players with hot drinks available which everyone appreciated after a sudden torrential downpour.
Here's to next year.