Match Report – Sun 21st Sept – Gents 1s

Grove Menzieshill 0 – Uddingston 2

It was smiles all around in the Dundee sunshine on Sunday as the Uddingston Men’s 1s capped a fine double header weekend with a second win and six points.

Grove have historically been a powerful club in Scottish hockey and at home are never an easy prospect, as Uddy found last season. As usual, Grove fielded a blend of wise, old, sometimes grumpy veterans and some very talented youngsters. But in the end, they were no match for an Uddy team starting to find its rhythm and identity.

In the first quarter, veteran Luke Cranney was a constant threat, physical and bustling down the left flank he almost exposed the defence on a couple of occasions with some pinpoint passes up toward the Uddy D. But when Cranny pulled up with an injured ankle halfway through the first quarter, Grove struggled to make much of an impression.

In fact, they managed only two shots on the Uddy goal in the entire match, both excellent strikes well saved.

For the rest, it was mainly Uddy pushing forward looking for space and opportunities.

A goalmouth scramble after only six minutes saw Max Strachan pounce on the ball and fire it into the net for Uddy’s first goal of the game, 1-0. It felt like many more were surely to come and this might be a very pleasant afternoon indeed at Dawson Park.

But Grove worked hard in defence, managed to clear endless messy scrambles in their own D and effectively shut down Uddy’s surprisingly toothless penalty corner routine.

Uddy’s strikers were kept at bay largely due to the athletic and somewhat unconventional antics of Stevie McIlravey, Grove’s goalkeeper. McIlravey has represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games and is always an obstinate presence in goal. On one occasion, falling backwards, he toe poked the ball over his own bar.

Grove’s stout defence was eventually undone in the fourth quarter in one magnificent passage of play by newcomer Anup Valmiki who swept across the Grove top D before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the side netting for 2-0. The gap was always going to be too much for a Grove team that was unable to mount much of a challenge to Uddy’s D.

There were still some errors and unnecessary turnovers in Uddy’s play, but the team have transformed over the double header weekend. They were coherent, hard working and skilful. The passing was faster and more accurate and the midfield, led by an imperious Louis Gardener, was dynamic and inventive.

Angus Millar’s energy and stick-skills up front caught the eye while Stephen McKenzie, Sean Baker and Jedd Campbell were at the heart of a solid defensive line that gave Grove very few chances.

This was a comfortable and convincing display from an Uddy team that is emerging before our eyes under the vocal tutelage and watchful eyes of John Bessel and Tom Hyndman.

Five goals, two wins, six points, a clean sheet and a speedy climb up to fifth in the premier league table was a satisfying weekend’s work. Let’s hope there is much more to come.

– Adrian Hadland

We stream our Saturday games live on our dedicated YouTube channel, UddyTV. Make sure you check out the latest game here – Uddy Hockey YouTube. 

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