Dumfries 2’s welcomed Uddingston 3’s to the KGV Park on Saturday with some trepidation after their away encounter earlier in the season in which they suffered a very heavy defeat but buoyed by their recent form, Dumfries were hoping to give a good account of themselves regardless.

And so it proved as Dumfries played well with the younger members of the team showing great improvement in their individual play and confidence, encouraged by the experienced players within their ranks. For the first two quarters of the match, Dumfries threatened the Uddingston goal many times and despite a missed penalty flick in the first quarter, Dumfries took the lead following a good pass from Callum to Callander Senior who drove past several defenders and after eounding the keeper, slotted the ball into the empty goal. This goal was well deserved and despite Uddingston making several breaks, the Dumfries defence held firm to half time.

The first period of the second half was pretty even and Uddingston tried to get back into the game creating several openings but the defence of Mills, Redman, Joyce and Barr backed up by Moscrop in goals worked hard to keep their goal intact. A series of Penalty corners gave Uddingston opportunities which the couldn’t convert and play became more open with Dumfries managing to counter attack whenever the opportunity arose. Logan, Joshua, Jack and Ryan encouraged by Iain Callander moved the ball around fluently at times finding Gordon and Tom upfront in good positions which kept the Uddingston defence busy.

The final quarter was played in a similar manner but Uddingston failed to find an equaliser as Dumfries finished stronger as Uddingston’s play broke down time after time. A further penalty flick for Dumfries should have made the final minutes of the match more comfortable but another good safe from the Uddingston keeper kept the game on a knife edge until the final whistle blew to gave the Dumfries a well deserved and merited victory over their more experienced opponents.

Grateful thanks to Ryan and Beth for umpiring the game.

YPOTM: Liam Mills for a strong, determined