Match Reports Season 2019/2020
prepared by Billy Alexander (Assistant Coach)
MDUK Premiership 10th November 2019
Game 1: South Ayrshire Tigers v Clyde Alba
Both teams started the game at a high intensity and a fast high press from Robertson forced the reigning champions back towards goal but the ball crossed the line for a goal kick. Robertson was now immediately defending but won possession at the front post and got the Tigers on the attack. Annmarie Robertson picked out James Doull who squared the ball to the back post for Stuart Niven but he couldn’t get the power he wanted behind the ball and the shot was saved. Another dangerous free kick from Robertson set up Niven which he hit well but the shot was saved and fell into Robertson’s path but her shot was also saved as the pressure grew on Clyde. Robertson was causing more problems for the champions as she delivered a well placed hit in that set up Doull who forced a great save from the Clyde Keeper. Tigers got caught high up the pitch and a fast break was on towards the Tigers goal, Scott Robb read the situation well and made the save. Moments later Robb found himself in another 1v1 situation but hit away the initial shot before the rebound was hit well off target. A great passing move from Robertson to Doull to Niven got Tigers back up the pitch and then Niven set up Doull as he watched his shot force a corner. Alba were struggling to cope with the attacking football Tigers had on show. A rare first half attack from Clyde has Niven back defending but he dealt well with the pressure and forced the mistake from the attacker as the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Clyde tried to pass the ball about but Doull’s quick pressing allowed him to intercept the pass and drive towards goal but was unlucky not to score. Doull came close moments later from a first time hit from Niven’s cross but just went wide of the goal. Just on the stoke of half time Doull was weaving in and out the box which caused the nervous Clyde defender to foul Doull in the box and the referee rewarded the Tigers with a penalty. 20 minutes and 43 seconds on the clock saw James Doull tuck away the spot kick into the left corner, leaving the keeper helpless as the Tigers went 1-0 up on the half time whistle.
The second half saw Alba play with more confidence and had Tigers on the back foot in the opening minutes. A 2 on 1 against the Tigers saw Clyde have a free kick in a dangerous area but Robertson was on hand to clear the shot. Pressure grew on the Tigers and a corner 4 minutes into the second half saw an equaliser as a first time hit beat Robb at the near post. From the restart Doull tried his luck with a shot from the centre which just went past the post to the keepers relief. Another free kick to Clyde and this time Doull was on hand to clear the danger. Doull played a fantastic through ball taking out all the Clyde outfield players and found Niven racing towards the back post but unfortunately couldn’t turn it into the goal. Another free kick to Clyde had Doull in the right place to block and play to safety. Robb was back in action and did well to save the ball and Doull was on hand again to clear before a rebound was on the cards for Clyde. Tigers almost sneaked the win right at the end when Robertson played a nice hit in to James but his shot just went wide of the post. Full time and the points were shared. South Ayrshire Tigers 1-1 Clyde Alba. Tigers Scorers: James Doull (1)
Game 2 - South Ayrshire Tigers v Glasgow Gladiators
A less intense game but one that Tigers had full control of as they were playing full of confidence and belief in themselves. Niven came close as he struck the post from a well hit Robertson free kick. Robertson was then on defensive duties as she blocked a cross coming into the box forcing a corner. Goalkeeper Pauline Paterson was in action from the corner but made a great save and Robertson cleared the danger. Niven intercepted a Glasgow pass and played a great long range through ball for Doull but it was just too fast for him to catch. Another dangerous free kick hit by Robertson found Niven in a great place but he just couldn’t connect with the ball and the chance was gone. 10 minutes played and Robertson drew first blood as she scored straight from her own hit in. Paterson demonstrated she can also defend well as she played sweeper keeper to end a dangerous 1v1. Another trademark passing move from Tigers saw them dominate possession as Robertson found Doull in centre mid who played the ball wide for Niven who returned for Doull to run on to which won the Tigers a corner. 13 minutes 18 seconds on the clock as Robertson the set piece expert delivered the resulting corner that set up Doull nicely to double the Tigers lead at 2-0. Tigers came close once again after Doull hit a log range shot which was blocked and Niven was quick to try and keep the attack live but just couldn’t get the ball over the line. Doull was almost back amongst the goals as he pounced on their hit in but his shot just went wide. 16 minutes and 10 seconds on the clock saw Robertson barging through and released the ball to set up Doull who scored in off the post. 17 minutes 10 seconds had Robertson providing the assist once more as Niven tapped in her cross. Right on the half time saw Robertson’s hit in set up Doull for 5-0.
The second half restarted with Doull coming close as he forced the keeper to make a save and give the Tigers a corner. Robertson’s corner set up Niven but his shot was turned just wide by the defender for another corner. Robertson came close from a free kick but once again it was turned wide for a corner. Doull, Robertson and Niven were passing well which saw Niven come close to scoring another goal. 10 minutes 44 seconds into the second half and Tigers were 6-0 up after Robertson picked out Doull from her hit in and he squeezed it in-between the defender and goalkeeper. A rare Glasgow attack saw Niven defend well and clear away the danger. 13minutes 58 seconds saw Niven score a well hit spin shot to make it 7-0. Gladiators came close from the restart but fired wide. Niven was in the book as he saw a yellow card after he accidentally hit one of the Gladiator players on the 15 minute 50 second mark. He was then replaced by Robb at the 16th minute mark. Full time South Ayrshire Tigers 7-0 Glasgow Gladiators Scorers: Annmarie Robertson (1), James Doull (4), Stuart Niven (2)
Game 3 - South Ayrshire Tigers v Tayside Dynamos
Next up for Tigers was a match against the league leaders! Tigers had a more defensive shape throughout the match which made it difficult for Dynamos to play their football. The Dundee side did come close with the first kick of the ball as the shot from the centre went marginally past the post. The pressure grew on Tigers as hey soon had to defend against a corner. A long shot was next to test the Tigers but Scott Robb made the save. Tigers found themselves pinned in their own half but were making it difficult for Tayside to find any success on a shot at goal. Tigers started to grow into the game which changed into a midfield battle at times which saw Robertson breaking up a lot of the league leader’s play. Tigers done what they do best by passing quickly u the park where James Doull started it off in to Annmarie who picked out Stuart Niven in space who set Doull up for a shot with just went wide of the mark. 10 minutes and 40 seconds the deadlock was broke when Tayside forced Annmarie into a great tackle which left the ball run into an attacker’s path but Scott made a great save but unfortunately the ball found the back of the net on the rebound. Tigers got another impressive attack when Doull found Robertson who set up Niven who just missed the target with his shot. Robertson was back in defensive duties and made an important tackle in the Tigers box. Robb was back in the hot seat as another shot was upon him but he made a great save and Niven covering the back post moments later as he let the ball run past the post for a Tigers goal kick. Second half saw another quick attack from Tayside when a through ball had them in on goal but their striker failed to connect with the ball and the danger was gone. 2 minutes into the half saw the ref produce a yellow card to the Tayside player for a ram on Doull. Robertson had Doull on the attack again inside the box but he couldn’t push the ball over the line as the goalkeeper and defender narrowed his angle. Doull set Niven up nicely for spin shot but blocked on rout to goal. Robb was busy in goal but produced another great save to keep the score low. The 11th minute mark of the second half saw Tayside double their lead with a nice shot that went past Doull and Robb as it found its way into the corner. 14 minutes 22 seconds saw Tigers half the deficit when Robertson hit in saw Niven’s spin hit set Doull up tap the ball into the goal. Lack of concentration by Tigers had Tayside have their 2 goal cushion resorted from the restart as the hit the ball from centre past Robb in goals. Niven was seeing a lot of great spin hits and this time came even closer as forced a corner. 18 minutes and 44 seconds on the clock saw another Tayside goal as they broke quick up the park from defending well from a Tigers free kick quick which they cleared from the goal line to run the length of the ark and score. A spin pass from Doull found Robertson at the back post but the keeper made a great save. Full Time South Ayrshire Tigers 1-4 Tayside Dynamo.
Scorers: James Doull (1)
Game 1: South Ayrshire Tigers v Clyde Alba
Both teams started the game at a high intensity and a fast high press from Robertson forced the reigning champions back towards goal but the ball crossed the line for a goal kick. Robertson was now immediately defending but won possession at the front post and got the Tigers on the attack. Annmarie Robertson picked out James Doull who squared the ball to the back post for Stuart Niven but he couldn’t get the power he wanted behind the ball and the shot was saved. Another dangerous free kick from Robertson set up Niven which he hit well but the shot was saved and fell into Robertson’s path but her shot was also saved as the pressure grew on Clyde. Robertson was causing more problems for the champions as she delivered a well placed hit in that set up Doull who forced a great save from the Clyde Keeper. Tigers got caught high up the pitch and a fast break was on towards the Tigers goal, Scott Robb read the situation well and made the save. Moments later Robb found himself in another 1v1 situation but hit away the initial shot before the rebound was hit well off target. A great passing move from Robertson to Doull to Niven got Tigers back up the pitch and then Niven set up Doull as he watched his shot force a corner. Alba were struggling to cope with the attacking football Tigers had on show. A rare first half attack from Clyde has Niven back defending but he dealt well with the pressure and forced the mistake from the attacker as the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Clyde tried to pass the ball about but Doull’s quick pressing allowed him to intercept the pass and drive towards goal but was unlucky not to score. Doull came close moments later from a first time hit from Niven’s cross but just went wide of the goal. Just on the stoke of half time Doull was weaving in and out the box which caused the nervous Clyde defender to foul Doull in the box and the referee rewarded the Tigers with a penalty. 20 minutes and 43 seconds on the clock saw James Doull tuck away the spot kick into the left corner, leaving the keeper helpless as the Tigers went 1-0 up on the half time whistle.
The second half saw Alba play with more confidence and had Tigers on the back foot in the opening minutes. A 2 on 1 against the Tigers saw Clyde have a free kick in a dangerous area but Robertson was on hand to clear the shot. Pressure grew on the Tigers and a corner 4 minutes into the second half saw an equaliser as a first time hit beat Robb at the near post. From the restart Doull tried his luck with a shot from the centre which just went past the post to the keepers relief. Another free kick to Clyde and this time Doull was on hand to clear the danger. Doull played a fantastic through ball taking out all the Clyde outfield players and found Niven racing towards the back post but unfortunately couldn’t turn it into the goal. Another free kick to Clyde had Doull in the right place to block and play to safety. Robb was back in action and did well to save the ball and Doull was on hand again to clear before a rebound was on the cards for Clyde. Tigers almost sneaked the win right at the end when Robertson played a nice hit in to James but his shot just went wide of the post. Full time and the points were shared. South Ayrshire Tigers 1-1 Clyde Alba. Tigers Scorers: James Doull (1)
Game 2 - South Ayrshire Tigers v Glasgow Gladiators
A less intense game but one that Tigers had full control of as they were playing full of confidence and belief in themselves. Niven came close as he struck the post from a well hit Robertson free kick. Robertson was then on defensive duties as she blocked a cross coming into the box forcing a corner. Goalkeeper Pauline Paterson was in action from the corner but made a great save and Robertson cleared the danger. Niven intercepted a Glasgow pass and played a great long range through ball for Doull but it was just too fast for him to catch. Another dangerous free kick hit by Robertson found Niven in a great place but he just couldn’t connect with the ball and the chance was gone. 10 minutes played and Robertson drew first blood as she scored straight from her own hit in. Paterson demonstrated she can also defend well as she played sweeper keeper to end a dangerous 1v1. Another trademark passing move from Tigers saw them dominate possession as Robertson found Doull in centre mid who played the ball wide for Niven who returned for Doull to run on to which won the Tigers a corner. 13 minutes 18 seconds on the clock as Robertson the set piece expert delivered the resulting corner that set up Doull nicely to double the Tigers lead at 2-0. Tigers came close once again after Doull hit a log range shot which was blocked and Niven was quick to try and keep the attack live but just couldn’t get the ball over the line. Doull was almost back amongst the goals as he pounced on their hit in but his shot just went wide. 16 minutes and 10 seconds on the clock saw Robertson barging through and released the ball to set up Doull who scored in off the post. 17 minutes 10 seconds had Robertson providing the assist once more as Niven tapped in her cross. Right on the half time saw Robertson’s hit in set up Doull for 5-0.
The second half restarted with Doull coming close as he forced the keeper to make a save and give the Tigers a corner. Robertson’s corner set up Niven but his shot was turned just wide by the defender for another corner. Robertson came close from a free kick but once again it was turned wide for a corner. Doull, Robertson and Niven were passing well which saw Niven come close to scoring another goal. 10 minutes 44 seconds into the second half and Tigers were 6-0 up after Robertson picked out Doull from her hit in and he squeezed it in-between the defender and goalkeeper. A rare Glasgow attack saw Niven defend well and clear away the danger. 13minutes 58 seconds saw Niven score a well hit spin shot to make it 7-0. Gladiators came close from the restart but fired wide. Niven was in the book as he saw a yellow card after he accidentally hit one of the Gladiator players on the 15 minute 50 second mark. He was then replaced by Robb at the 16th minute mark. Full time South Ayrshire Tigers 7-0 Glasgow Gladiators Scorers: Annmarie Robertson (1), James Doull (4), Stuart Niven (2)
Game 3 - South Ayrshire Tigers v Tayside Dynamos
Next up for Tigers was a match against the league leaders! Tigers had a more defensive shape throughout the match which made it difficult for Dynamos to play their football. The Dundee side did come close with the first kick of the ball as the shot from the centre went marginally past the post. The pressure grew on Tigers as hey soon had to defend against a corner. A long shot was next to test the Tigers but Scott Robb made the save. Tigers found themselves pinned in their own half but were making it difficult for Tayside to find any success on a shot at goal. Tigers started to grow into the game which changed into a midfield battle at times which saw Robertson breaking up a lot of the league leader’s play. Tigers done what they do best by passing quickly u the park where James Doull started it off in to Annmarie who picked out Stuart Niven in space who set Doull up for a shot with just went wide of the mark. 10 minutes and 40 seconds the deadlock was broke when Tayside forced Annmarie into a great tackle which left the ball run into an attacker’s path but Scott made a great save but unfortunately the ball found the back of the net on the rebound. Tigers got another impressive attack when Doull found Robertson who set up Niven who just missed the target with his shot. Robertson was back in defensive duties and made an important tackle in the Tigers box. Robb was back in the hot seat as another shot was upon him but he made a great save and Niven covering the back post moments later as he let the ball run past the post for a Tigers goal kick. Second half saw another quick attack from Tayside when a through ball had them in on goal but their striker failed to connect with the ball and the danger was gone. 2 minutes into the half saw the ref produce a yellow card to the Tayside player for a ram on Doull. Robertson had Doull on the attack again inside the box but he couldn’t push the ball over the line as the goalkeeper and defender narrowed his angle. Doull set Niven up nicely for spin shot but blocked on rout to goal. Robb was busy in goal but produced another great save to keep the score low. The 11th minute mark of the second half saw Tayside double their lead with a nice shot that went past Doull and Robb as it found its way into the corner. 14 minutes 22 seconds saw Tigers half the deficit when Robertson hit in saw Niven’s spin hit set Doull up tap the ball into the goal. Lack of concentration by Tigers had Tayside have their 2 goal cushion resorted from the restart as the hit the ball from centre past Robb in goals. Niven was seeing a lot of great spin hits and this time came even closer as forced a corner. 18 minutes and 44 seconds on the clock saw another Tayside goal as they broke quick up the park from defending well from a Tigers free kick quick which they cleared from the goal line to run the length of the ark and score. A spin pass from Doull found Robertson at the back post but the keeper made a great save. Full Time South Ayrshire Tigers 1-4 Tayside Dynamo.
Scorers: James Doull (1)