LOCH LOMOND Hockey Club’s first team fell to a late defeat against Stepps on Saturday – with the very last hit of the ball.

The cancellation of the club's second team match left more players available for the first XI – and with only half a dozen regular first team players available, their second team counterparts did a superb job against opposition two leagues above them.

The defenders all did very well, defending high outside the D, and didn’t give away too many short corners.

But it's domination in midfield that can win games, and the Loch Lomond midfield worked very hard winning many of the battles, supporting the defence well and keeping the play up higher in the Stepps half for the majority of the game.

Loch Lomond had the biggest percentage of possession and attacking moves in the first half but were unable to get past the Stepps keeper. Loch Lomond forced errors in the D and were awarded 5 or 6 penalty corners, but failed to convert any. At times the ball was swinging from one end to the other with both sides defending strong and hard.

When Stepps managed to break through the midfield, the defence were quick to close them down, with keeper Heather Smith shouting instructions to her defence and occasionally having to dive out to clear the ball. Loch Lomond ended the first half 0-0.

In the second half Loch Lomond dominated the second half and kept Stepps at bay with some good goalkeeping and last ditch defending; keeper Smith had to make quite a number of diving saves and on one occasion when Stepps looked liked scoring with an open goal, Karen MacKinnon appeared out of nowhere and just managed to nick the ball off the attacker and put it behind the line for a corner.

Eve Howard also had a diving clearance in front of goal.

Loch Lomond did come close at the other end too but Stepps were not going to relinquish their title hopes without a fight.

But in the final play of the game Stepps were allowed to drive the ball from their own 23 into the Loch Lomond D, and then won a short corner with only 15 seconds to go.

Loch Lomond knew they had to go out hard to stop this last play of the game and, as the whistle went, Stepps readied themselves for short corner.

According to the rule book, the corner still has to take place, even after time.

With Stepps pouring all 10 outfield players forward to pressurise the five Loch Lomond defenders, it was always going to be a tough one to clear, but with the last hit of the ball, the Stepps forward struck the ball hard and low and into the net.

To lose 1-0 on the last strike of the game was gut wrenching, but to push a top team that far, after dominating most of the match, should give Loch Lomond so much confidence and pride. Every player gave 110% on the day.

Player of the Match was awarded to defender Lauren McCreadie and runners up were Heather Smith and Hannah Leach. Hannah also got the opposition Player of the Match award. Thanks once again to umpire Andy Richardson for his commitment to the club.

Team: H. Smith, L. McCreadie, H. Leach, C. Lyall, K. Richardson, T. Jackson, V. Sabala (capt), K. Rijsdijk, R. McColgan, M. Glover, K. MacKinnon, C. Court, E. Howard & G. J-Leach.