LOCH LOMOND Hockey Club’s second team suffered a chastening start to their new campaign with a 4-0 defeat against league newcomers Uddingston 4 at Hermitage Academy on Saturday.

The squad consisted of both old and new faces and Loch Lomond had the luxury of a squad of 18 players for their opening game.

Against the odds the sun was shining and the home team were looking to emulate the play that secured them fifth place in last year’s competition.

The home team started off well with attacking play and kept the opposition at bay. With Alannah Hill and Hannah Collier, Naomi Shearer was able to feed the some good strong balls from defence creating some good moves.

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Uddingston, however, soon organised themselves and quickly took control of the game through simple passing and quick play, charging from both the left and right and securing two goals and a commanding lead at half time.

The second half showed some more promising play from the Loch Lomond team with Hill and Jenna Gallacher making some great runs, but the strength of the Uddingston team meant the home defence was under constant attack.

Most of the play was in the Loch Lomond half, asking a lot of their back four, and goalkeeper Heather Smith played well to ensure that the full-time score was kept to only 4-0.

The team will take a lot from this match and re-group for their next fixture away to Ayr this Saturday, September 14.

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Squad: Heather Smith, Eve Howard, Anna Currie, Jane Neil, Philippa Filmer, Anna English, Hannah Collier, Amber Wells, Naomi Erica, Alanna Hill, Eilidh Hill, Jenna Gallacher, Ava Currie, Gillian Finch, Kim McCallion, Elaine Wotherspoon, Rachael Peacock, Anne McGregor.

Thanks to umpire Vanesa Sabala.

Alannah Hill was chosen as Loch Lomond’s player of the match, with the runner-up award shared between Naomi Shearer, Eve Howard and Heather Smith, while Uddingston chose Heather Smith as their top player from the Loch Lomond ranks.

Loch Lomond’s first team are scheduled to start their new Division One campaign this Saturday, September 14, away to Dumfries.

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