Match Report
Match Report - 10 Dec 2016, Dunfermline City Hockey Club Dunfermline City First Team beat Eskvale
Dunfermline City on the back of a hiding against league leaders Edinburgh Uni midweek were back at home on Saturday to face Eskvale. Eskvale are currently bottom of the league however not to be complacent they had taken a point of the team which had just beat City 7.0!
City welcomed back into the fold Brent Walker returning after a couple of years out.
City lined up with Brown in goal, Ken Buttercase RB, Ben Buttercase LB with Edwards and Green in the middle. The midfield started with Martin, Rintoul, De Preez and Cromb. Miller and Coles led the line from the start. With Buchanan and Walker coming on from the bench.
City started the way they intended to continue pressing forward. City pressed and pressed but the midfield although making driving runs were not managing to make the final pass - or were trying to shoot when a pass may have been a better option.
The defense were occasionally called into action but the midfielders and Green from the back kept driving Eskvale onto the back foot.
City did finally break the deadlock when they were awarded a short corner. Cairney Martin pushed out to Green who took a pace into the D before just passing the ball simply in to the goals to make it one nil.
City continued to dominate but couldn't break down the defense. Walker coming close on one occasion with other efforts being blocked.
Eskvale dealt City a hammer blow when a hit from the half way line into the City D was deflected brilliantly by a striker and the ball flew past Brown in goals.
Half time and for a half City dominated they had ended up level at one one.
City started the second half determined to get back the upper hand and within minutes were 2.1 up as Walker marked his comeback with a fine finish.
Green then moment later drove into the D and lifted the ball high past the keeper to make it 3.1.
City however managed to lose a soft goal to make it 3.2.
City did get 2 ahead again when a Rintoul shot from a short corner was forced home by Cairney Martin.
As Eskvale chased the game their was a stramash in the City D - and Ryan Green came out of it with a stick in the face. Which stopped the play for a while. Green had to leave the field of play with a bloody face - and later at hospital was told he had broken his nose for a 3rd time.
City regrouped and although lost another goal - did finally seal the points when Miller forced home another Rintoul shot on goal.
A 5.3 victory for the second match in a row - but this was a more convincing performance than the scoreline suggests.
City now break off for the winter on a high having gained a bit of momentum to climb up the table.
The next game now is not until the 28th of January - however friendlies and training sessions are likely to be planned before then to help fight of the cobwebs. So if you are reading this and dont already play hockey and are interested in playing please get in touch as we are always on the lookout for new members.
Dunfermline City Hockey Club Dunfermline City First Team 5 - 3 Eskvale