Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club first team had a busy time last weekend with league & cup fixtures. On Saturday, they finally got their season up and running with a deserved victory over Harris HC in Dundee.

The players knew it was vital to take points from this fixture and in a competitive game, secured all three points with a 3-1 score line, goals coming from Dickie Uren, Sam Goldie and Andy Doyle.

Carnegie will be looking to try and build on this victory with a home league fixture against Cala Edinburgh HC this weekend, despite the opposition having started the season slightly stronger with two wins from four.

On Sunday, Carnegie’s first team took on Giffnock HC at Newton Mearns in the Scottish Cup. Giffnock being the Club they defeated in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to secure promotion at the end of last season. As it happened, the opposition were under strength, mainly the result of disciplinary suspensions and within a minute Carnegie were ahead through a Dickie Uren strike.

At half-time the score line was 4-0, with Carnegie further adding to the score and finished 7-1 victors, with a hat-trick from Andy Doyle, a brace from Sam Goldie and a goal from Gary Clark, although Carnegie could easily have doubled this if they had taken the chances created.

In the next round on Sunday 25th October, Carnegie travel to Aberdeen to face Granite City HC who should provide a stiffer challenge.

Other Carnegie results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Falkirk 2’s – 3-1 victory
Carnegie 4’s v Falkirk 3’s – 2-0 victory
Carnegie 5’s v Falkirk 4’s – 1-1 draw
Carnegie 6’s v Falkirk 5’s – 0-5 defeat
Carnegie 7’s v Stirling Wanderers 2’s – 4-1 victory

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club first team, despite a promising first half performance on Saturday, 10th October 2009, unfortunately returned to losing ways after an indifferent second half resulting in a heavy defeat at the hands of Cala Edinbugh HC.

With home advantage and both teams providing attacking hockey, it was Carnegie who had the upper hand for large periods of the game. Despite creating opportunities from both open play and also with several short corners, Carnegie again squandered chances, whilst Cala took advantage of an opportunity, scoring the opening goal late in the first half.

With both sides competing strongly for superiority in the first half, the home support looked forward to the second half as the game on the face of it appeared very finely balanced. However, the anticipation for a similar performance in the second half was not matched on the pitch as Edinburgh stepped up a gear, whilst Carnegie seemed unable to respond.

As a result the visitors applied sustained pressure on the Carnegie goal as the Cala forwards took full advantage and scoring almost at will. Five goals was the final second half tally, with only a consolation goal from Carnegie's Chris Henry the 6-1 result was a disappointment after such a keenly contested first half.

Carnegie has another home fixture next weekend, with Waverley Inveresk Trinity HC the opposition, who currently are 3rd in the league a place above Cala. It is hoped that this latest result is used as a ‘learning curve’ on how to compete in National League Division 2.

Other Carnegie results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Inverleith A – 5-1 victory
Carnegie 4’s v Inverleith B – 1-1 draw
Carnegie 5’s v Peebles – 2-0 victory
Carnegie 6’s v Inverleith Development – 3-0 victory

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club first team faced a potentially hard fixture on Saturday, placed second bottom and facing Waverley Inveresk Trinity HC, third top and promotion contenders.

However, the performance from Carnegie belied their league placing, with a positive approach both on and off the pitch; in fact Carnegie opened the scoring with Stuart McArtney finishing off a well worked attack. Waverley responded with an equalising goal, both teams exchanged attacks resulting in a 2-3 score line at halftime, Carnegie’s second courtesy of Stevie Chalmers.

Early into the second half, the scores were level following some excellent play involving Dickie Uren and Andy Doyle, Uren taking the scoring honours. Carnegie were coping as the Edinburgh side upped the tempo, although in dramatic fashion, firstly skipper Craig Duncan was sent to the sin bin with a yellow card and at the same time the umpire also awarded a team yellow card for in his opinion excessive verbal intimidation, leaving Carnegie temporarily down to 9 players on the pitch.

Waverley produced attack after attack and eventually the extra players paid off as Waverley went ahead through a penalty to lead 3-4. However, as Carnegie returned to full strength, the opposition fell foul of the umpires and one of their players was yellow carded. In a tense final 10 minutes Carnegie were able to scramble the ball home through a tap in by Andy Doyle to tie the game up at 4-4.

In securing a vital point and with other results going their way, Carnegie moved up a place in the league to third from bottom, they continue their league and also Cup campaigns next weekend. Uddingston HC provides the opposition on Saturday in a home league game for Carnegie, with an away tie against Aberdeen on Sunday in the last 16 of the Cup.

Other Carnegie results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Edinburgh University 4’s – 2-1 victory
Carnegie 4’s v Edinburgh University 6’s – 4-1 victory
Carnegie 5’s v Stirling University 2’s – 1-6 defeat
Carnegie 6’s v Stirling Wanderers 2’s – 0-9 defeat
Carnegie 7’s v Eskvale – 6-1 victory

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club first team improved on their well-earned draw from last weekend, with a solid 3-0 victory over Uddingston HC on Saturday.

Historically games between the two sides have always been keenly contested and coming into the game Uddingston had been showing improving form. However, for Carnegie to both win the game and also record a first clean sheet of the season made the performance and result all the more impressive.

The first half was a cat and mouse affair, despite both teams having good scoring opportunities neither side could take the initiative with the game goalless at the interval.

However, as the second half progressed, the balance of play gradually began to shift in Carnegie's favour and the first of their three goals was scrambled home from open play by Andy Doyle, this after some excellent build-up play by Dicky Uren.

A second followed converted by Doyle to ease the pressure as Uddingston looked to get back on terms. The third goal from Sam Goldie added the icing to the cake as Carnegie finished strongly and with the win securing a vital three points, which keeps Carnegie in touch with four other mid-table placed teams.

With two remaining outdoor fixtures to play before the winter break, next week is an away fixture against one of the four mid-table teams, Falkirk, whilst the final game is at against St. Andrews University. The students pipped Carnegie as Division 3 Champions last season, but their Division 2 campaign has been hard, as they are bottom of the league with no points.

Carnegie realise these two games are important in maintaining momentum to establish a reasonable gap between themselves and the bottom two teams.

Carnegie's Scottish Cup interest was ended on Sunday by Granite City Wanderers HC, succumbing 2-0, through penalty corner goals in each half. Despite the score line, Carnegie remained in the game, but were unable to take advantage themselves of their many scoring opportunities from open play and numerous penalty corners which were awarded.

As the old cliché goes...at least Carnegie can now focus 100% on their league campaign!

Other Carnegie results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Alloa – 5-0 walkover victory
Carnegie 4’s v Edinburgh Stewart Melville 3’s – 4-2 victory
Carnegie 5’s v Edinburgh Stewart Melville 4’s – 3-4 defeat
Carnegie 6’s v Carnegie 7’s – 1-4 defeat

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s first team now seem to be playing to their real potential, having only managed three points from the fifteen available in their first five league games, the strong performances in recent games is highlighting the fact they are more than capable of holding their own in this division.

On Saturday the team recorded another win, with a clean sheet and with it a further three points to add to their league tally. With a 2-0 away victory over rivals Falkirk HC, Carnegie have now taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three games providing a very positive change in fortunes.

Despite some early pressure by Falkirk, they were unable to take advantage, whilst the self-confidence developed by improved performances ensured Carnegie were able to cope. In fact Carnegie were able to counter with strong attempts of their own resulting in the opening goal coming when Andy Doyle combined with his fellow forward Gary Clark who converted from close range. Strong defending ensured this lead was maintained through to half time.

Falkirk continued to force the issue in the second period in an effort to get back on terms, but resolute defending including strong goalkeeping from Matt Jones denied Falkirk an equaliser. Carnegie countered towards the end of the game and were awarded a penalty corner, which was successfully converted by veteran sweeper Ewan Ogilvie. Some indiscipline by Falkirk resulted in them having a player sent off and Carnegie were able to see out the game and take full points.

St Andrews University HC are the visitors next weekend in the final league game before the outdoor league's winter break. A win will leave Carnegie mid-table and although the students are yet to secure their first point of the season and bottom of the league, Carnegie will be looking to guard against complacency.

Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club’s 1st eleven ended the first half of this season’s campaign on Saturday with a win and in doing so consolidating a mid-table place in National Division 2. Due to the start of the National Indoor League, which Carnegie will be participating in, the National Outdoor leagues close down until February 2010.

Coming into the fixture Carnegie were on a three game unbeaten streak and looking to secure a victory over bottom of the table St Andrews University HC, whilst on paper it certainly looked like the outcome would be a formality, such games have previously been the undoing of the Dunfermline side.

Carnegie's game plan almost immediately began to pay dividends, as the students struggled to break out of their half, as chance after chance was created. It was not long before the deadlock was broken, with Andy Doyle scoring his first from open play, quickly followed by Stuart McArtney finishing off a well worked attacking play.

However, after being awarded a penalty corner, the visitors got on the score sheet when the ball was deflected into the Carnegie goal by defender Jamie Stewart, with keeper Matt Jones stranded.

Despite resulting pressure from the students, Carnegie extended the lead, when a penalty corner of their own was converted by skipper Craig Duncan and the first half ended 3-1 to Carnegie.

Carnegie started the second in the same positive fashion, with Andy Doyle scoring his second, followed up by Craig Duncan's second, with the final goal of the game and completing his hat trick coming from Andy Doyle, a convincing 6-1 victory for Carnegie.

Saturday's result capped a very impressive recovery to Carnegie's league
campaign for the first half of the season; the emphasis now switches to Indoor hockey.

Other Carnegie teams results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Edinburgh 2’s – 2-4 defeat
Carnegie 4’s v Kinross – 2-4 defeat
Carnegie 5’s v Edinburgh Colts – 2-2 draw
Carnegie 6’s v Kinross 2’s - 0-3 defeat
Carnegie 7’s v Inverleith Development XI – 4-1 victory

Hockey is not only played outdoors, the indoor game is also an important discipline of the sport and Alpha Data Carnegie Hockey Club recognises this aspect, with a Men’s and Women’s team competing in this seasons’ National Indoor Leagues.

The Men’s side are participating in Division 3, together with teams representing Quasar Kinloss, Tinto GC Wanderers, Stepps, Garscadden, East Kilbride, Waverley Inveresk Trinity & Inverleth Hockey Clubs, whilst the women are competing in their Division 3, against Perthshire, Quasar Kinloss, Haddington & Grange Hockey Clubs.

Last weekend both sides kicked off their respective indoor campaign, with the Men’s side comprehensively beaten in both opening fixtures. However, Dunfermline Carnegie Ladies travelled to Dundee for their two fixtures on Sunday and having been relegated last year were looking forward to playing different teams in National Division 3.

In the first game, against Quasar Kinloss, the Ladies dominated, taking the lead after only 20secs of the start, eventually running out 8-1 winners, goal scorers were April Wardlaw 2, Gillian Oswald 2, Gillian Thornton 2, Kat Mollison and Sheila Duncan.

The opposition for the second game were Perthshire, who were a much stronger team, in the first half the Ladies competed well but tiredness set in, likely the result of having no substitutes and Perthshire won went on to record a 10-5 victory. Dunfermline Carnegie Ladies goal scorers were Gillian Thornton 2, Sheila Duncan 2 and April Wardlaw.

An encouraging start, the team travel back to Dundee this weekend with Haddington and Grange the opposition.

Other Carnegie teams outdoor results on Saturday: -

Carnegie 3’s v Grange Development XI – 0-7 defeat
Carnegie 4’s v Grange 5’s – 0-3 defeat
Carnegie 5’s v Grange 7’s – 3-0 victory
Carnegie 6’s v Eskvale – 4-1 victory