Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team were looking to continue their promotion chase on Saturday with a home fixture against relegation avoiding Motherwell HC.

The difference in league places seemed to be apparent when Carnegie took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Andy Doyle and Team Captain Craig Duncan. At halftime neutral spectators agreed that the score line reflected the overall balance of play.

However, the visitors team talk proved effective, as Motherwell took the game to Carnegie and in a short time were level with goals from a short corner & penalty stroke. With 10 minutes left, Motherwell went ahead again following a short corner, facing defeat, Carnegie displayed both character & determination, scoring twice through Stevie Chalmers & Sam Goldie.

Carnegie's victory hopes were dashed when yet another short corner routine from Motherwell resulted in a goal and the final whistle, leaving honours even at 4-4. Despite two points dropped, but for Carnegie's resilience it could have been all three points.

Next week sees the promotion challenge continuing with an away trip to Inverness and a game against Inveross HC, who are also in the running for the promotion play-offs and achieved victory when playing Carnegie in the first half of the season.

Carnegie’s second eleven's required a win on the road against Livingston to keep the promotion challenge and managed one, albeit in a similar roller coaster style game as the first eleven. Livingston looked good at 2-0, but goals from Adam Rintoul and Dickie Uren took it to 2-2, before Carnegie went 3-2 down. A final late flurry resulted in goals from Kenny Begg and another from Adam Rintoul leaving Carnegie 4-3 winners.

Other Carnegie teams results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Edinburgh University 4's – 2-1 win
Carnegie 4’s v Watsonians 3's –1-1 draw
Carnegie 5's v Watsonians 4's – 3-1 win
Carnegie 6’s v Carnegie 7's – 0-2 win

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team were involved in a trip to Inverness on Saturday with a league fixture against fellow promotion hopefuls Inveross HC.

The opposition had already inflicted a defeat on Carnegie in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, so Carnegie were keen to take the game to Inveross from the outset, which proved the case as the home defence were put under constant pressure. However, similar to last week, despite outplaying their opponents with good passing, movement and balance of play, together with goals from Ian Bease, Andy Doyle & Gary Clark, Carnegie at half-time only had a solitary goal advantage at 3-2.

Carnegie's dominance continued in the second half with 2 goals from Andy Doyle, to complete another hat trick and taking his season's tally to 25, whilst Steven Chalmers and Ben Bregazzi added goals six & seven to complete the rout. One goal in reply left the final score at 7-3 but a fully deserved victory by Carnegie, which puts them joint top of National Division 3 with St Andrews University.

The Students have two games in hand, so the automatic promotion place race is out of Carnegie's hands, although 9 points separate the top two Clubs from the third placed team. Carnegie has a home fixture this weekend, with Aberdeen University HC the opposition.

Carnegie’s second eleven also had a comprehensive victory winning 5-1 over Stirling Wanderers, which maintains their promotion challenge, with goals coming from Brent Walker, Neil Langham and a hat trick from the evergreen Kenny Begg.

Other Carnegie teams results on Saturday & Sunday: -

Carnegie 4’s v Kinross –2-2 draw
Carnegie 7’s v Inverleith Juniors – 3-1 win

Sunday
Carnegie 5's v Edinburgh Cala Colts – 3-2 defeat

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team maintained their league form on Saturday with a home win against relegation threatened Aberdeen University HC.

However, they made heavy weather of the game with the visitors belying their league position and keeping Carnegie on the back foot. It was the students who opened the scoring as Carnegie struggled to find any rhythm in their play. Andy Doyle eased the home pressure with a well-taken goal and honours even at half time.

Carnegie upped their performance and although the visitors created scoring chances, did not take the advantage. Further goals from Carnegie's Captain, Craig Duncan and another from Andy Doyle provided Carnegie with the initiative to close the game down and a 3-1 victory.

Carnegie face third placed Erskine Stewart Melville HC on Saturday their closest rivals to the promotion play-offs.

On Sunday, the first eleven were in Scottish Cup action facing highflying National League Division 1 and Scotland's European Hockey League representatives, Western Wildcats HC. With the game played in poor weather conditions, Carnegie appreciating the experience would likely be more of a learning opportunity than achieving an actual shock result.

This ethos proved correct and although Carnegie, to their credit tried to press and harry the opposition, Western ran out 13-0 victors and whilst they progress into the next round, Carnegie clearly progress in terms of experience.

Carnegie’s second eleven suffered a promotion setback after conceding a 2-0 lead over the league leaders with a 3-2 defeat.

Other Carnegie teams results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 5's v Falkirk 3's – 3-0 win
Carnegie 7’s v Edinburgh Cala 4's – 7-1 win

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team hopes of at least a promotion play-off place were increased on Saturday with a home win against third placed Erskine Stewart's Melville HC.

Perhaps the importance of the fixture impacted on both teams, Carnegie knowing victory would all but secure second place. Unfortunately the first half could best be described as 'scrappy', with no real rhythm of fluency, home keeper Willie Dunster was in top form and ensured a 0-0 score line at half-time.

Carnegie appeared to take notice of the team talk and immediately displayed a higher level of intensity and in doing so forced the opponents into a defensive mode. Carnegie's attacking perseverance paid off when Andy Doyle converted from a short corner routine. Despite being unable to force their advantage the game reverted back to a scrappy affair, but with no other goals, Carnegie took the three points.

Carnegie face league leaders St Andrews University HC on Saturday in a must win fixture to maintain any possibility of winning the league, even if it means winning scrappy again…

Carnegie’s second eleven promotion hopes were further dented following another defeat, losing 3-0 to Waverly Inveresk Trinity 2's. However, on Sunday, they progressed into the latter stages of the District Cup with a high scoring, hard fought 6-4 victory over Livingston HC.

Other Carnegie teams league results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3's v Grange Development – 3-4 defeat
Carnegie 4's v Grange 6's – 3-1 win
Carnegie 5's v Stirling University 2's – 5-0 win
Carnegie 6's v Stirling Wanderers 2's – 0-2 defeat
Carnegie 7’s v Falkirk 3's – 3-3 draw

Carnegie teams cup results on Sunday: -

Carnegie 2's v Livingston – 6-4 win (District Cup)
Carnegie 3's v Harris 3's – 1-1 (won 3-1 on penalties – Reserve Cup)
Carnegie 4's v Gordonians 3's – 3-5 defeat (Reserve Cup)
Carnegie 6's v Giffnock 3's – 1-3 defeat (Reserve Plate)

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team hopes of winning the Division 3 title disappeared on Saturday when defeated 5-2 by the current league leaders St Andrews University HC. However, if three points can be gained from the two remaining fixtures will secure the promotion play-offs and another route into National Division 2.

As expected from the top two teams in the league, the game was played at a high tempo, although it was the opponents that took control of the first half, taking full advantage of early opportunities to go into the interval 3-0 ahead.

Carnegie came out in a determined mood and were able to exert concerted pressure on the Students defence, with Andy Doyle slotting home from a tight angle. A further chance to reduce the deficit was lost, when following a foul, Carnegie were awarded a penalty, unfortunately the keeper saved Andy Doyle's shot. With Carnegie pressing forward, the Students used the counter-attack to good measure and added two more goals to their tally. A late consolation goal by veteran Ewan Ogilvie completed the scoring.

Carnegie have their last home game next Saturday, with Aberdeen Grammar School HC the visitors and then face an away trip to Ayr HC the following weekend to conclude the league campaign. It is hoped that the required three points will be attained this Saturday.

Carnegie's Under-14 A team cemented their position at the top of the U14 East League with comfortable 3 - 0 wins against both Inverleith and Kelso HC's. Both games highlighted the individual skill and teamwork that has resulted in 9 games played with eight victories and only one defeat.

Meanwhile Dunfermline Carnegie's B team drew 0-0 with Inverleith and lost 1-0 to Linlithgow to finish third in their league. A really good performance considering the majority ages of the team is 10 years.

(Not sure if we can mention, but the Under-14's playing tops are provided thanks to sponsorship by Scottish Hydro Electric.

A Team photo, from left to right, rear row - Craig Mitchell, Mercedes Black, Rachel Morgan, Jordon Duncan, Boris Mingay, Ben Wylie & Joe McEwan
front row - Kieran Peel, Aidan McQuade & Sean Stewart.

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team secured the three points required to secure the promotion play-offs on Saturday with a home victory over Aberdeen Grammar School HC.

Nerves were apparent from the outset and pressure was further increased exerted on Carnegie, when the visitors took advantage of poor defending and took the initiative with a well-taken goal. However, with the first half drawing to a close, Carnegie settled and scored twice in quick succession through Martin Daw and a 2-1 lead at the interval.

As it happened the second half turned into a one-sided affair, as Carnegie dominated with goals by Stevie Chalmers, Andrew Lambert and a third from Martin Daw ensuring a 5-1 victory. Further, the game also saw the 1st team debut for 15-year-old Sam Hayes, who played his part in the win. Sam is just one of an increasing crop of up and coming youngsters who are the result of the Youth Structure within the Club. All are definite prospects and augers well for the future.

Carnegie has their last game next Saturday, with an away trip to Ayr HC. However, the play-off final berth will take place at Peffermill, Edinburgh on Saturday 9th May 2009. With the relegation battle in National Division 2 involving a number of Clubs, the opposition will not be decided until the final fixtures.

Carnegie's 2nd XI Cup run ended in the quarterfinals on Sunday against the fancied Kelburne HC. Despite home advantage, the power and strength of the visitors proved too much, although it was not until well into the second half before the result was finally decided as the visitors secured a semi-final slot with a 7-0 score line.

In the last National League fixture of the season and with Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team having already secured a berth in the Promotion play-offs on 9th May 2009, they were unable to finish the campaign with a victory against Ayr HC on Saturday.

Carnegie took a large playing squad to Ayr using the opportunity of providing National League playing experience to a number of Club players. The tactics seemed to be right, as Carnegie started off strong, with flowing hockey and creating numerous chances. However, the chances were not converted and it was the opposition that scored first, finding a way through the visitor's defence and went into the interval 1-0 in front.

The pattern of play continued, with Carnegie applying constant pressure and setting up scoring opportunities, all were spurned and following a break away attack, the home side scored another goal. Carnegie maintained the pressure and skipper Craig Duncan put away an opportunity. Despite this, no other chances were taken and a 2-1 victory to Ayr.

A disappointing end, but equally a useful exercise in respect to providing further experience to younger players and trying out different positions for recognised first team players.

Carnegie has 5 weeks between now and the playoffs, with Giffnock or Granite City Wanderers looking the likely opposition. Training and friendly fixtures are being planned to keep Carnegie fully prepared.

The Easter weekend has a squad of Carnegie players travelling to Bridlington for the annual hockey festival, which involves 12 games based over 3 days.

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s top team finally closed the 2008-2009 league campaign with success at the weekend, when gaining promotion to Scottish National League Division 2, after a dramatic win against Giffnock HC, promotion being confirmed after a penalty shoot-out.

The game was played at high tempo throughout, with Carnegie's preparations paying dividends as they set the tone from the outset, playing the style of hockey that suited, leaving the current Division 2 opposition using counter-attack tactics.

However, despite the pressure, it was Giffnock who struck first with a scrambled goal and went into half-time 1-0 to the good.

As it happened the second half turned into a free-flowing game, Carnegie equalised through Andy Doyle, but quickly went 3-1 down. Carnegie showed true grit and began to dominate again, resulting in pulling back to 3-3 with goals from Gary Clark & Stevie Chalmers.

A chance to take the lead was wasted, when Carnegie missed a penalty, but continued pressure lead to a goal from Andy Doyle and for the first time Carnegie were in front. As the clock ticked down, Giffnock determined to maintain their Division 2 status, pressed and were awarded a penalty, which was converted and at the final whistle the teams were level at 4-4.

Five nominated players from each side took their penalties, the first four from Carnegie all succeeding, Giffnock's fourth was saved by keeper Willie Dunster, leaving captain Craig Duncan to seal victory. Unfortunately Giffnock's keeper saved leaving, once again, the game all square and so to sudden death.

Andy Doyle scored and the pressure went to Giffnock's player and Carnegie's keeper, the latter winning the day with a stunning save and promotion.

Carnegie's Club Captain, Gordon Johnston summed the victory up stating 'A simply outstanding effort from everyone involved within the squad throughout the season, with the focus now turning to next season's Division 2 campaign.'

What is the Ace reporters view of the evolving new web site???

Due to the problems experienced in gaining access, initial views were censored.... However, now the problem resolved, it is looking interesting, keen to see how it improves as season progresses ;-)

Once again I am responsible for press submissions relating to DCHC in an effort to raise the Club's profile & now that my September holiday commitments have concluded am able to concentrate fully on the job in hand...

As in previous seasons, I need the members to assist by providing information, not only on weekend matches, but individual success, youth, veteran et al at District, Regional, National levels.

Print deadlines are important, so would really like to submit an article to Press Editor by Tuesday at very latest, your assistance is paramount.

I can take information by the following routes: -

email - walker89@btinternet.com or
phone - 01383 734282 or if by text - 07891 868112