Borders Fjordhus 1
Highland 3
NATIONAL LADIES DIVISION TWO
DESPERATE for a win in their final league match of the season, Borders Fjordhus selected an attacking formation right from the start for their game against Highland at Tweedbank last weekend.
With Borders pressing the visitors’ defence, clever midfield play by Janet Jack and Denise Fairbairn released the front runners on several occasions and Laura Mclean was unlucky to be denied the opener on 18 minutes by a good save by the visiting keeper.
Three minutes later, Borders were awarded a penalty corner and from a training-ground move, Pippa Bell slid the ball home at back post to open the scoring.
Stung into action, Highland, fielding a quick and technical side, began to fight back and were unlucky not to level the scoring before the half-time whistle.
It was a very different story in the second half. Highland began attacking and pressing Borders at every opportunity and the hosts started to creak. On the third minute, Highland equalized from a straight strike from Top D. Possession swung in the visitors’ favour and their transitions were accurate and slick. Highland took the lead, from a sweeping move down the right flank, hit across the D to be swept past the keeper by the striker.
Borders tried in vain to gain some possession and continuity but Highland had the desire and passion. After a dubious penalty corner, they further increased their lead to take the game to 3-1.
Pride was at stake and for the last 10 minutes of the match Borders tried to take control and were awarded three penalty corners, but the Highland defence proved too good. The final whistle came for a dejected Borders side.
Borders can look back on the league with mixed memories but can hold their heads high with some battling and backs-to-the-wall performances over the season. Coach Jack was pleased that the squad has included some talented youngsters and evolved as a squad and gained some valuable experience.
Borders Fjordhus: G. Bradley, P. Bell, E. Newlands, C. Townsend, N. Weallens, D. Fairbairn, J. Jack, K. Cornwall, L. Mclean, L. Ingles, S. Shiell, L. Dagg, S. Mathers, E. Lunn.