LOCH Lomond’s second team battled back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at home to their Rottenrow Blue Sox counterparts on Saturday.

Having beaten Ayr 1-0 in their last match, Loch Lomond were raring to go after their pre-match team talk from coach Anne MacGregor – but while both teams came out of the starting blocks strongly, Loch Lomond quickly realised that the opposition was an experienced side and had improved from their last meeting, a goalless draw back in September.

Loch Lomond II dominated from the start with high defending, breaking on the wings and the strikers making great space.

For most of the first half Loch Lomond played in Rottenrow’s end, with the forwards pulling their defence all over the place, but against the run of play Rottenrow scored not one but two goals to open up an apparently comfortable interval advantage.

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But despite the margin at half-time, Loch Lomond felt they weren’t out of the match just yet – and the home side upped their game early in the second half to the best they’ve played so far this season.

Every player excelled; the defence played high, forcing the ball out from the back with strong hits which were picked up from midfield, and early passing to the front two who were always ready to pounce.

Patience and perseverance paid off and Loch Lomond won a penalty corner from which Jane Neil injected the ball to Gillian Finch, who connected with a great hit direct into the net.

And with their tails well and truly up, Loch Lomond equalised from a ball picked up just outside the top of the D which was laid off to Jenna Gallacher open on the right.

She picked it up really well and, with great insight, fired a quick pass to the penalty spot – and a sweep later the ball was slammed into the net by the season’s top goal scorer Finch, giving her two on the day.

Loch Lomond continued to press and were awarded a few more corners just before the end of the match, but the visiting defenders stayed strong and the home side were unable to convert their chances.

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Having come back from two goals down the team were delighted to gain a draw from this match and were perhaps a little disappointed not to get the win.

Captain Anna Currie congratulated the whole team on their performance.

Thanks to Richard Schooling for umpiring the match.

Rottenrow gave their Loch Lomond player of the match prize to Kathryn Fish; Loch Lomond’s own accolade went to Jenna Gallacher, with Anna Currie, Gillian Finch and Lucy Macrae joint runners-up.

Team: Anna Currie (captain), Heather Smith, Anne McGregor, Kara Kerr, Caroline Lyall, Jane Neil, Kirsty Richardson, Philipa Filmer, Lucy Macrae, Eve Howard, Amber Wells, Jenna Gallacher, Alana Hill, Eilidh Hill, Rachael Peacock, Gillian Finch, Kathryn Fish.

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