Match Report
Match Report - 03 Nov 2018, Dunfermline City Hockey Club Dunfermline City First Team lost to Eskvale
Dunfermline City took a reasonably strong 13 to Lasswade High on Saturday to face Eskvale.
City started dominated the early stages of the game – and were a post away from going one up within 5 minutes. Dominant midfielder Edwards played a peach of a ball hard into the D which Miller glanced – everyone thought it was heading for the bottom corner but the keeper got the slightest of touches onto it deflecting it onto the post. Miller slipped trying to get the rebound.
City pressed – with Eskvales only chances coming from long balls into the D.
City finally took the lead when Ben Buttercase struck when the ball was played to him from a short corner and he put a inch perfect shot into the back post.
City were finding it difficult on the long astro turfed pitch to play flowing hockey. And aerial balls etc were just made more difficult by the long turf as was short corners.
Eskvale knew how to play on this pitch and there long ball tactics paid off. Not once but three times before half time as City’s dominance wasn’t converting to goals and players were getting more and more frustrated. Also some of the umpiring decisions were very questionable – although giving the umpires the benefit of doubt the sun was low and glaring – mainly for the home umpire.
Adam Rintoul protested at the umpire for a decision where he took a free hit from just an inch or two off the line. For his protests Adam received a green card.
Donald Kinnear then received a green card for an attempted hit at the ball – which he missed and a Eskvale player had to jump out the road – it looked worse than it was – with Kinnear receiving his 2 minute suspension.
City shortly before the break got back in the game. Miller was fed in on goal – and from around the penalty spot his goal bound shot was blocked at point blank range from a defenders foot – leaving Fleming the City umpire for the day no option but to award a penalty.
Rintoul stood up to take it – and despite the keeper getting his stick to it the ball managed to hit the back of the net.
Half time 3.2 to Eskvale but City by far the better side – but just failing to take chances that came their way.
Unfortunately for City this continued in the second half.
City did level the game with Edwards having a great strike for his first goal for city in a couple of years. City then had numerous opportunities to go ahead – the best when Miller missed a pass back from a short corner.
The chances were to cost City – as Eskvale scored another quick couple of goals to go 5.3 ahead. In that time City had numerous chances – with Spreng hitting the bar the keeper making a couple of great stops – and lady luck just pushing the ball wide. Rintoul then had a stone wall penalty denied – and for his protests received a yellow card this time – disadvantaging City further. Maxl was carded for his frustration at the home umpire when he hit the ball away deliberately when a free hit was given against him.
City still looked more likely to score but were having an off day in front of goal. Eskvale held out and despite a fighting performance City lost 5.3.
On another day City would have scored 10 – but today wasn’t the day. For four spells in the game City were down to 10 men which didn’t help our cause.
Next up another away trip – Watsonians 6’s.
Eskvale 5 - 3 Dunfermline City Hockey Club Dunfermline City First Team