Dumfries 2s welcomed Hillhead 8s to KGV sports complex on Saturday for what was expected to be a close game due to their relative league positions at the foot of the table.

The match started briskly with both teams matching each other initially but it was Dumfries who played the better during the first quarter, dominating possession of the ball but failing to create many clear cut chances in front of the visitors goal so the game remained scoreless at the end of the first period.

The second quarter however saw a distinct change in play with Hillhead becoming the dominant team and their growing pressure on the Dumfries goal area was eventually rewarded with the opening goal following an attack down their right wing that exposed the Dumfries defence. Despite an initial save on the goal line by the Keeper, the follow up ended in the net to give Hillhead a narrow lead at half time.

The first period of the second half was pretty even to start with but Hillhead’s older heads began to pull the strings a bit more and their experience exerted more pressure on the Dumfries defence but thankfully they held firm to go into the final period still trailing by a single goal.

Hillhead however began the final period as they had finished the previous and Dumfries were forced on the back foot quite quickly conceding a series of short corners which eventually resulted in Hillhead doubling their lead from a shot from the top of the D. Rather than crumble, this goal seemed to spur Dumfries into action and the roles were soon reversed as Dumfries took the game to Hillhead. With momentum building, Jack Callander halved the deficit with a superbly struck shot from top D that looped over the Hillhead defence into the top right corner. Building on this, Dumfries then made a tactical switch to play out the remainder of the match with eleven outfield players and very nearly succeeded in salvaging a draw with the final shot of the match from a short corner but the Hillhead Keeper deflected the ball away successfully to give his team a narrow victory.

Grateful thanks to Beth and Morven for umpiring the game.

YPOTM: Jack Callander for his all round play and a superbly taken goal that was well deserved.