The fast developing Solway Sharks Under 12s team are starting to make their mark in the league, picking up wins recently and vastly narrowing the goalscoring gap in games in which don’t go their way. After suffering a fairly hefty defeat at the hands of near-neighbours North Ayrshire in the Scottish Cup last month Solway were keen to make their presence felt when they welcomed Ayrshire back to the ice bowl for a league fixture.
SK Joinery-sponsored Solway looked comfortable and confident during the first period, and despite losing two goals towards the end of the period they kept their heads up and kept playing, and were rewarded when Bailey Thomson knocked a Tomas Vyrostek pass into the net in the final minute of the period – N Ayr, 2 Solway 1. Buoyed by this, Solway skated out for the second period and showed they are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with, constructing numerous attacks on the N Ayr goal, while holding firm in defence, Braiden Howat in goal saving the N Ayr shots that got through. All was well until the 29th minute, when Ayr scored twice within a minute. Undaunted, the young sharks regrouped, and the score stood until the end of the period – N Ayr 4, Solway 1.
North Ayr started the third period strongly, and scored again after a few minutes. Solway again showed their strength of character and improved form by coming straight back, and Ewan Duignan found the net with a fine unassisted goal, much to the delight of the team and their supporters, reducing the deficit. When Bailey Thomson found the net seconds later from a well-placed Lewis Gibson pass the crowd was elated. Sadly the game did not finish in Solway’s favour, with N Ayr scoring with 5 minutes to go, putting the 6-3 scoreline just out of reach of the Sharks.
Coach Craig Jackson said afterwards, “Today saw the visit of North Ayr for the second time in as many weeks. On the back of our recent Scottish cup defeat we were looking to get something back from this game, and the feeling throughout the team was that this was possible. After an exciting end to end game of hockey the score finished in North Ayr’s favour. I felt today the young sharks put together probably their most impressive game of the season so far, and that the score line did not represent how well they played – the difference being that North Ayr were able to capitalise on their opportunities. Goals against us came through small lapses in concentration and poor positioning. On reflection of the game I am extremely happy with how we are progressing as a team, and pleased that the stuff we are putting together at training is finally starting to show on the ice.”
Player of the match for the wee Sharks was picked up by Cassie McGregor. Solway U12s are back in action at Dumfries Ice Bowl against Dundee at 10am on Sunday 19 February.
