Hard fought win for the 3s

Hillhead Threes v Glasgow Uni Seconds

Hillhead threes went into Saturday’s league match versus Glasgow Uni’s second string brimming with confidence and with a 100% record in the league to protect.  Uni were also in form having beaten one of the promotion favourites Edinburgh Uni 8-3 in their first league outing.  Hillhead were without the talismanic Phil Godsiff and on silky winger Calum Herbert.  They were bolstered though by veterans Alan Meikle and Andy MacLaine, whose combined age was the same as five of the team's youngsters combined.

The match began at a frenetic pace with Uni stunning Hillhead with their speed and direct approach.  After what seemed like an eternity Hillhead gained some control of the match and began to play the ball about with confidence.  With more and more of Hillhead's build up play leading to attacking opportunities it was no surprise when Hillhead eventually broke the deadlock.  Keir Thomson did brilliantly to elude a diving keeper only to undercut the ball wide of an empty Uni goal.  Fortunately for Hillhead, the away umpire awarded a penalty stroke as they felt the ball was illegally blocked whilst goalbound. Resorting to playground rules, maker turned in to taker with Keir Thomson finishing well against an impressive opposition keeper.  Hillhead continued to enjoy large period of possession but were caught off guard late in the half surrendering their lead to Uni after former Hillhead Junior Andrew Sinclair converted a well worked penalty corner. 

After a positive half time team talk with the players urged to be more direct in attack Hillhead came out the traps firing on all cylinders with precise and composed build out from defence through to the forward line.  Chance after chance came and went with the Uni keeper cat like in goal.  The longer the match went the more Hillhead became frustrated at their inability to turn their pressure into goals.  The beauty of youth though is that they rarely have fear or negative thoughts and this was demonstrated by their continued push for a winner.  This determination was rewarded with Aswin Nair finished expertly after a rebound off an initial shot.  The Glasgow students were not going to settle for a well fought defeat and pressed hard in the final fifteen minutes causing a tiring Hillhead side all sorts of problems.  If it were not for some terrific interceptions by the defence and evergreen Robert Black Hillhead would not have held on for another promising win in Central League Two.

Next up is the West End derby v GHK