National League 1 delivers on opening weekend action

The men`s National League 1 programme started at Bothwell Castle Policies on Friday evening with Uddingston`s 4-2 win over newly promoted Watsonians.

Photo by Mark Pugh

The visitors seemed to have the better of the first half with the opening goal from Roddy Craig. But the stuffing was soon knocked out of them with a four-goal blitz from Uddingston`s Aussie Brad Hughes to give the home side a comfortable 4-1 lead. Ally Dougall pulled one back for the Edinburgh side with two minutes to go but little more than a consolation by then.

Grange started off the defence of their National League 1 title with a stirring 6-1 win over Aberdeen Standard Gordonians at Peffermill. The champions put the Aberdonians to the sword in the first half, the highlight being a hat-trick from Frank Ryan, Austrian Clemens Rufnjak along with Aussie Dylan Bean adding the others for a 5-0 lead.

Adam Walker pulled one back for Gordonians in the second half but Bean added another from a set piece to complete the scoring.

In the other contest Hillhead and Clydesdale fought out a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half Sam Hayes put the Titwood-based side ahead only for Ewan Campbell to level for Hillhead.

In the women`s competition Wildcats recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Grange at Fettes, the goals came from Heather Aitken (2), Alex Stuart and new recruit Kate Holmes.

Grove Menzieshill returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Glasgow University. The Taysiders took a single goal lead into the interval, Jude McMullan was on target. Penalty corner expert Sam Sangster was the catalyst in the second half, her first shot was deflected home by Lucy Smith while her second effort was forced home by Lauren Kingston on the rebound.

Hillhead played host to Dundee Wanderers but it was the Taysiders who came away with the points. A 3-0 victory for Wanderers gave two wins from two as the season gets underway.

Clydesdale Western were 3-1 winners at GHK.  The highlight appeared to be GHK`s goal, under-18 international Lucy Williamson shrugged off several defenders to then slam a reverse stick shot into the Clydesdale net. Western`s three goals all came from penalty corners.

8 September 2018 at Old Anniesland. Scottish League Division 1 match – GHK v Clydesdale Western – photo by Duncan Gray

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