So finally the sun has arrived and the season over thoughts turn to next year and building on the success of seasons gone by and adding to the squads for next year.

The club would like to wish all the best to Janine Gammack who has decided to give National League hockey a try. Thanks to her and her family for all the support over the past few seasons.

On a brighter note the return of Sarah Lumsden and the news that Shelly Geddis is most likely extending her stay in Aberdeen is a welcome one for the club.

So now with pre season on the horizon and thoughts of the dreaded fitness training we are looking for players of all abilities.

We are ideally hoping to strengthen our first XI squad who have a great tradition as League Champions in the past 3 seasons and a highly competitive cup tradition with no fewer than 6 appearances at cup finals in the past 8 years.

If you fit the bill and are looking for a club or maybe looking for a fresh challenge away from the club you are currently at then we are looking for you!! Training gets underway on Wednesday the 5th August at Hillhead 19:00hrs to 21:00hrs.

For information and further details please contact Blair Thomson on hockey-coach@hotmail.co.uk

Aberdeen Ladies travelled to Ellon with what could be considered a sense of trepidation with thoughts turning back to the first game of the season at Rubislaw. A game where anything that could go wrong did go wrong.

Ladies picked up where they left off from last week’s double winning performance and carried on in fine form with a strong team effort.

Ladies began well switching the play, keeping possession and creating scoring chances.  Nikki Gravener opened the scoring with a well taken shot passed the keeper.

Ladies continued to apply pressure and soon went two nil up after Nikki again fired in a shot from the following a penalty corner after been played the ball from top D.

Ellon came back with a goal just before half time going into the break at 2.1 ladies.

It was fairly cold so the visiting side were all keen to get going again, although not as sharply as Ellon who scored on the break levelling the score to 2 all well on in the second half.

Ladies worked very hard with good movement of play and Susan Anderson brought them in front with a cracking goal to make it 3-2 just before the final whistle.

A very tough game but ladies deserved the result, keeping them in contention with top spot in the league with a game in hand over Inverurie.

Player of the match was Susan Anderson

With the league hotly contested this year, Ladies want to make sure of a successful run in the cup for the 2008/9 season.

For this reason, they faced this Last 16 match with some trepidation. Because the second was team struggling for a squad, first team players stepped in to help out, and this meant that Ladies started the match with players who had already played half a game.

It could have been that, the dry pitch at Portlethen, Cup nerves or a combination of it all, but Ladies took off to a tentative start and the spectators could clearly feel the tension in the air.

Edinburgh CALA looked to be a young, fit and physical side. Soon, with a clash of playing styles, tempers began to flair and the game turned into a pretty competitive one.

The umpires brought the match to hand however, and this unfortunately resulted in two greens and a yellow card being issued to Edinburgh CALA over the course of the match. Ladies kept their calm well though, and broke the tension late into the first half with a classic short corner take from Nikki Gravener. The girls came in at half time feeling lighter but not comfortable.

Half time Score 1 – 0

After a bit of rest and a gathering together, Ladies emerged into the second half more confidently. With more movement of the ball around the back of the park and pressure down the wings, they were able to convert their possession into a second goal, again from Nikki ‘Goal Machine’ Gravener, about 10 minutes into the half.

This gave the team the cushion they needed to start playing their own hockey at their own fast pace. When Edinburgh CALA took off on the break, which they often did, Ladies did well to work in pairs to counteract their attack, and the opposition’s play resulted, time and again, in balls flying off the back line.

Vikki was occasionally brought into action against her former club however, and proved to them what a loss to their team she is with a couple of great diving saves. Half way through the second half and CALA’s discipline was waining as their frustration built up.

Meanwhile, Ladies were striding out, playing more stylish hockey with one-twos up the wings and good work at short corners. Further goals eventually came for Claire Edwards, Janine Gammack and Sarah Allan.

Sarah’s two goals from open play were the result of cracking interplay between herself and Susan Anderson. A relieved Ladies team finished the match 6-0 up – a scoreline that doesn’t reflect what a tough win it was. Credit is due to the entire team, particularly those that had played for the seconds in the match before.

Final Score 6 – 0

Player of the Match – Mhairidh Lumsden

Other results saw nearly all the other North teams knocked out with RGU, Aberdeen Uni, Grammar, Quasar and Granite City all eliminated. Only other north survivors were league title challengers Inverurie.

The next round sees Ladies away to St Andrews Uni 2nds and Inverurie away to Kinross Ladies

Saturday saw Aberdeen Ladies take on Grammar at Rubislaw which usually goes a long way to deciding the league title.

With the previous match between the two finishing all square when Grammar snatched a dramatic last touch equaliser. The squad was pretty much at full strength bar Shelly Geddis.

The match took a familiar shape with the league champions making the running and coming close on several occasions. Chances fell for Susan Anderson, Janine Gammack and Nicky Gravener.

Grammar threatened on the odd occasion but had chances snuffed out by Fiona Gray and Tracey Barclay the latter showing that her time away hasn’t effected her beautiful timing of a tackle.

Half Time 0-0

The second half started brightly after a spirited team talk. Ladies made decisive moves towards the Grammar circle and eventually made the breakthrough following the award of a Penalty Corner.

A well rehearsed training ground set piece saw the ball switched back to Nicky Gravener for a trademark near post sweep.

Near chances came at both ends Vicky Hansen saving well on two occasions and at the opposite end a Janine Gammack pile driver which just went wide of the far post.

With time running out a bizarre overturn of decision gave Grammar possession which led to a Penalty Corner in the dying seconds. Deja Vu from the first encounter between the sides but this time fate had it that Ladies would survive the pressure with the second of two corners trundling harmlessly wide of the goal.

A well fought for victory by all the girls and a much deserved player of the match award for Fiona Gray who played well in defence and midfield.

Aberdeen Ladies took to the field on Sunday at a windy Rubislaw knowing that to continue their league challenge nothing less than three points would do.

The team was slightly changed with Tracey Barclay out through illness and Fiona Gray away at Scotland Touch Rugby trials. In came Shelly Geddis to bolster the heart of defence.

The match got underway in typical Ladies fashion with play fast and varied in direction. Early chances fell for Susan Anderson and Janine Gammack both came close with no reward.

It was down the Nicky Gravener to break the deadlock when a nice move saw a drilled ball into the circle which Nicky deflected past the stranded GCW goalkeeper.

Granite City Wanderers youthfull side showed some nice touches and looked dangerous on the counter attack, but the strong Ladies back line dealt with the attacks.

Pressure for Ladies led to penalty corners and eventually they extended their lead when a well rehearsed set piece saw a switched ball back to Nicky Gravener to sweep in at the near post.

2-0 Half Time

The second half opened much the same as the first with a mix of long and short hockey from the leading side. The Granite City side broke on occasion but lacked the real penetration to make it count.

Some tactical changes from the Aberdeen Ladies Coach saw Shelly Geddis step up into midfield for the injury carrying captain.

This was to bring about almost instant success when a beautifully weighted pass found Nicky Gravener free on the right side of the twenty three who drove the baseline to feed back to the penalty spot for an unmarked Susan Anderson to finish smartly for a well deserved goal.

It looked as though Ladies had scored a fourth goal when Janine Gammack drove through and shot from the top of the circle low past the GCW keeper only for it to be dissalowed for being outside the circle.

Ladies keeper finally got a touch of the ball in the dying minutes when a direct break from the tricky youngsters of GCW got through the defencive line only to be met by the boot of Vicky Hansen.

Final Score Aberdeen Ladies 3 Granite City Wanderers 2nds 0

Man of the match Shared between Shelly Geddis and Natalie Thomson 4 votes each.

With the indoor season behind them, Ladies 1st XI faced their first outdoor game since November with a few nerves.

In the end, they needn’t have worried, as the second half of the season started with a stylish 6-0 victory over Grammar 2nds. It was a sunny spring morning at Rubislaw as the team lined up, and a couple of absences from regular players meant that new players were joining the squad.

Everyone was pleased to see Tracey Barclay back on the pitch and immediately returning to form after her baby break too. A slow-ish start while both teams got into the swing of it developed into a fast-paced game.

Ladies started to move the ball around the pitch well, starting from long passes around the defence, and first broke Grammar with a goal from Susan Anderson. Ladies settled into their stride then and started to use short interplay between the midfield players.

They exerted pressure by taking the ball into wide positions and more goals came along the way from Nikki Gravener (2, including a clinical take from a short corner move), Susan Anderson (another 1), Claire Edwards with a powerful flick finish and Janine Gammack with a cracking strike from the top of the circle.

Janine was unlucky not to get a second goal late in the first half after some impressive running and attacking play with Susan Anderson, but her high bladed shot flew just over the bar.

Ladies had sustained pressure over the majority of game through short corners and open play but some solid defence from Grammar denied them of more goals. Grammar were also quick on the break and it took some solid defence from Ladies too, in order to keep a clean sheet.

Susan Anderson was rewarded for her goals and her movement on and off the ball by being voted Ladies’ Player of the Match, and the players joining the squad fitted in well, making good contributions.

Things are looking good for the rest of the season – both in District League and Cup!

The national league girls travelled to Dundee University on Sunday to face the two teams they drew with before the festive break. With a large squad bolstered by the inclusion of Claire Edwards and Lindsay Snowie.

First game saw them play Hillhead who at this stage look favourites for the drop. An early scare when a corner was given away and Fiona Gray cleared off the line seemed to be the warning the Aberdeen girls needed. Ladies took the game to the Glasgow side and it wasnt long before Nicky Gravener gave Ladies the lead. A rotation of forwards saw the Edwards/Snowie partnership bare fruit with both players scoring in a ten minute period.

Half Time Aberdeen Ladies 3 Hillhead Ladies 0

Second half saw Aberdeen Ladies back line stay rock solid giving next to nothing away except one challenge which was deemed illegal. But the resulting Penalty Stroke was saved by Vicky Hansen.

Just reward for all Susan Andersons forward play came after a run up the right board by Fiona Gray saw a cut back ball to the forward who planted the ball firmly in the goal.

Final Score Aberdeen Ladies 4 Hillhead Ladies 0

The second match saw the girls up against a strong Waverly Inveresk Trinity side who up till now had under achieved.

The tempo of the match from the off was way higher than the first match and Ladies struggled to cope with this. And it wasnt long before they were behind. A glimmer of hope was shown when the girls went up the court and Nicky Gravener finished to make it 1-1. But this was all the joy there was to be has in this difficult fixture. Comment could be made about the nature of some of the oppositions play. With what could only be described as outdoor hockey being played at times.

Half Time Aberdeen Ladies 1 WIT 5

The second half saw the game become more physical and the continued hitting was not stamped out by some inconsistant umpiring. Play flowed from end to end but tiredness and morale effected the Aberdeen girls and the full time whistle in the end couldnt come quickly enough.

Full Time Aberdeen Ladies 1 WIT 9

With the Indoor season in full swing now the girls have been working hard and gaining the points they deserve. Three weeks played and things are looking solid for the girls who’s main aim is to retain their Division Two status.

Ups and downs so far have to be a two match defeat week one.

Then the highs in week two of beating city rivals Granite City Wanderers convincingly 6-1 new partnerships of Catherine John and Shelly Geddis combined with long time pairing Susan Anderson and Nikki Gravener worked well. And the goal prowess of defender Fiona Gray showed up with two goals one being a Penalty Stroke.

Week three saw two draws despite two yellow cards, one for come back goalkeeper Aliesha (USA) Cassie and goals for new captain Lyndsay Gowans.

The girls now have a well earned festive break until the 11^th when play resumes at Dundee University. This see’s them playing Inveresk and Hillhead again where they will look to take full points this time around. Until then they occupy fourth position in the league.

Women’s National Indoor League Division 2 League Table

Holburn Bar (Upstairs), Friday 28th November, tickets £2
Aberdeen Ladies Hockey Club are holding a quiz night to raise funds for the club. The quiz will start at 7.30pm. Maximum of 5 people per team. Food, raffle and a few social drinks. Contact us for more details.

On another windy day Aberdeen Ladies took to the field as overwhelming favourites against the 3rd XI of Dundee University. This being the last 32 match of the Scottish Women’s District Cup.

5 times cup winners Aberdeen took the game straight to Dundee and it wasn’t long before their superior play showed and goals soon followed for Janine Gammack, Lindsay Snowie and Captain Mhairidh Lumsden.

Some superb inter play with Janine and Susan Anderson led to several corners which eventually Janine fired low past an inspired Dundee Uni keeper

By this time constant pressure was building and it wasn’t long before the corner count mounted up for the visiting side from Aberdeen. Chances came for Susan, Mhairidh and eventually Lindsay Snowie.

The girls came in at half time 6-0 up and cruising and talk was made of keeping things fresh with Ladies having the constant play.

The second period followed a similar pattern with the Dundee Uni side packing out defence in a vain effort to thwart the visitors attacks. With weather conditions worsening you could forgive the leading side for taking the foot off the gas somewhat and goals came for Janine and Mhairidhi.

All and all a satisfactory trip with several second team players filling in for missing first team regulars but not at all looking out of place!

Final Score Dundee University B 0 Aberdeen Ladies 8 ( Janine Gammack x5 Mhairidh Lumsden x2 & Lindsay Snowie)