Dumfries Ladies 2s travelled to Windyedge to play Glasgow Accies 3s on Saturday for their first away fixture of the season.

Fielding a squad of 11 - Lily (GK), Jane, Susan and Kate in defence, Gladys, Cerys, Beata (captain) and Angie in midfield, with Caitlin, Ava and Phoebe playing up front.

Dumfries knew from the onslaught that this was going to be a tough game. It certainly proved to be a hard physical game. Glasgow Accies 3s started with the ball and almost immediately had the Dumfries defence on the back foot but Dumfries midfield and defence held firm and spoiled any efforts Accies made. Dumfries played well as a unit but about half-way through the quarter Accies had a lucky ball into the D and slotted it just past Lily into the goal. The only goal in this quarter.

Accies started the second quarter with confidence of their one goal lead, and they continued to try to break down the Dumfries challenges. Dumfries stayed strong until about midway through the quarter when a goalmouth scrabble saw the ball bobble over the line. Dumfries continued to stay positive and played some good defensive and safe play. Just before half time an Accies player took the ball into the Dumfries D and jammily slotted the ball just beyond Lily’s reach. Half time score 3 nil.

Dumfries started with the ball in the 3rd quarter knowing that they needed to take the game to Accies and to stall their game play. This is exactly what Dumfries did and for a change Dumfries were moving down the pitch and forcing Accies into their circle. Dumfries were more positive in their tackles and moved the ball well. Just before the end of the quarter Dumfries won a penalty corner but unfortunately were unable to get the ball into the goal.

The final quarter commenced with Dumfries having more of the ball but Accies were determined to try and score more goals. Any play which managed to get past the Dumfries midfeld and defence was ably dealt with by Lily in goals. There was some lovely tackling on the right side by Caitlin, Cerys and Kate. On the left side there was good passing play between Susan, Gladys, Beata, Phoebe and Ava. One attack down the left saw the ball being played from the defence to the attack and into the Accies’ circle resulting in Dumfries being awarded a couple of penalty corners, but try as they might they could not get the ball over that goal line. The game ended 3 nil. Certainly, a game of 2 halves.

Dumfries can take lots of positives from this game. They could have had their heads down after half time but they didn’t - they kept battling and never gave up till the final whistle of the game.

Pheobe was voted the opposition’s player of the match. After a lot of deliberation, Beata chose to share the Captain’s player choice between super keeper, Lily and Ava, who had a good strong game.