LOCH Lomond’s first team put in a fine performance against Division One side Clydesdale IV in the second round of the West District Cup at Titwood on Saturday, but after a brave performance were beaten 3-2.

A mixed squad of first and second team players had trouble with a well-organised Clydesdale team from the outset, and a lack of belief occasionally hampered the visitors’ efforts almost from the outset.

An onslaught of penalty corners failed to lead to an opener for Clydesdale, with keeper Heather Smith making some crucial saves and tenacious defending by Zoe Canty feeding strikers Megan Glover and Kim McCallion.

Loch Lomond had to reorganise after Eve Howard took a sore one to the mouth, and Clydesdale took advantage, opening the scoring after a lovely passing move.

And things got worse for Loch Lomond almost straight away as Clydesdale pushed forward and drove in their second goal – potentially ruining all the visitors’ hard work of the first half hour.

A change of position at half-time, with Vanesa Sabala moving to centre defence, soon paid dividends and a well-struck ball from Jane Neil was slipped on by Sabala for McCallion to score with a fine shot.

But Loch Lomond’s push for an equaliser left them short in defence, and Clydesdale added a third after a shot was deflected past keeper Smith and into the net.

However, it was Loch Lomond who took heart after that goal, and a change of approach, launching high balls forward from deep in their own territory, created real problems for the Clydesdale defence and led to Elaine Wotherspoon rounding the keeper to score the visitors’ second – though sadly all Loch Lomond’s searches for an equaliser proved in vain, with Clydesdale hanging on to win 3-2.

MEANWHILE, Loch Lomond’s second team lost 3-1 away to table-topping Rottenrow II amid torrential rain and swirling winds on Saturday.

Two unfortunate goals gave the Glasgow side a 2-0 lead at the interval, and the second half featured one goal for each side, Jenny Tripney finishing off a well-worked move for Loch Lomond’s sole strike.

Throughout the match every Loch Lomond player gave her all, showing flashes of brilliance all over the field; the team really have come on tenfold since the start of the season.

Last weekend’s fixtures were Loch Lomond’s last of 2018; league action resumes in January.