Fjordhus Reivers 2
Haddington 3
NATIONAL LADIES DIVISION ONE
DESPERATE to get back to winning ways, Reivers ladies took to the Tweedbank surface in a confident mood last weekend despite being without influential player/coach Janet Jack.
A slight rearrangement in the back four saw Emily Newlands move to central defence and talented Duns teenager Zoe Higgins come in on the right flank.
Reivers started at a furious pace and were making good inroads. From a Jackie Wilson drive into the D, they were awarded a penalty corner and an Newlands strike found captain Pippa Bell, who followed in for the rebound and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Haddington soaked up the pressure and, despite Reivers having numerous chances on goal, they were denied further scoring.
Playing the long ball, and now gaining yardage and possession, the visitors began to test keeper Stacey Tennant, who managed to save several times before a goalmouth scramble allowed Haddington to net the equaliser.
From the restart a mix-up in midfield saw Haddington score another quickfire goal against the run of play to put them 2-1 up at the break.
Reivers started the second half brightly with good passing and movement from the midfield gaining them possession and creating openings.
Nothing was going right for the Borders outfit, however, while Haddington gained confidence from heavy tackles which saw two of their players sent to the bin for persistent ‘clumsy calculated’ play.
Reivers did not need to be asked twice and from a Lucy Inglis drive into the D, a penalty flick was awarded to Reivers and Newlands dispatched the ball coolly past the visiting keeper to tie the scores.
With Haddington back to full strength, a penalty corner was awarded, and despite the Reivers appeal for a foot infringement, the umpire awarded the resulting goal.
The final whistle sounded and Reivers, having had the majority of possession and the most chances on goal, were on the receiving end of a defeat for the second week running.
Fjordhus Reivers: P. Bell, S. Tennant, K. Millar, C. Townsend, Z. Higgins, D. Fairbairn, L. Inglis, E. Newlands, L. MacKinnon, S. Mathers, L. McLean, E. Lunn, J. Wilson, M. Cawthorn.