Peebles Ladies 2

Livingston 1

PEEBLES Ladies were at home last Saturday afternoon to take on a strong Livingston side that had already got the better of the home side earlier in the season.

The visitors started off the stronger side, creating numerous chances and causing the home team all sorts of problems but as always the Peebles defence held strong and kept them at bay.

Peebles did seem a bit off the pace and lethargic with a few players on the pitch not feeling 100 per cent due to illnesses through the week.

But the team rallied together and eventually midway into the first half got into more of a stride and began causing the Livingston defence problems.

It was clear that this was going to be a really tough game and if Peebles were going to get anything out of it they were going to have to fight for it.

And fight for it, like they have in the last two games, they did.

The home side eventually got the break when some great link up play between Shirley Grey, Karis Sharp and Donna Clark found Sarah Glendinning in the circle who took a tight angled shot from the left to beat the visiting keeper.

After being under pressure for most of the first half Peebles were delighted to go in at the break 1-0 up.

A positive team talk at half time by coach Stuart Lobb and the ladies were up for a hard fight in the second half.

Again Livingston came out the blocks quicker with the home side still looking a bit slower and disjointed than they have in previous weeks.

But as always the solid defence of Megan Maciver, Narelle Allan, Leanne McAllister and keeper Tara Spence kept the Livi attack under control.

Peebles started to use the widths of the pitch more instead of up the middle and this put the visitors under immense pressure.

Peebles extended their lead 15 minutes into the second half when a great drive from Karis Sharp into the circle was halted by a Livingston defender barging her off the ball and a penalty stroke was awarded.

Captain Sarah Glendinning stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Peebles were awarded numerous penalty corners in the second half and were very unlucky not to make it 3-0 when a well worked corner saw the Livi keeper producing a fine save from a sweep from Megan Maciver.

It was the visitors turn to put the home side under pressure when Livingston got a goal back through a penalty corner of their own.

The visitors heads had been lifted and were putting the home side under more and more pressure. A fine save on the line by Leanne McAllister prevented the visitor from equalising.

Going into the final 10 minutes the Peebles side were very calm and worked the ball round the pitch brilliantly and were very composed preventing Livi from any further threat.

Another great win and very important win for the Pees as the three points now gives them more of a gap between the teams that were hot on their heels.

Many thanks up Sandy and Kim for umpiring, and sponsors JRD Motors and Thomson Gray.

Peebles are away tomorrow for a Border Derby against fellow nominees for the celebration of sport team of the year, Kelso Ladies. Pass back is 12.30pm at Earlston High School.

Peebles Ladies: T Spence, M Maciver, N Allan, L McAllister, S Gray, E Thomas, K Sharp, S Glendinning (capt), H Tipper, D Clark, H Horsburgh, K Stevens, E Nguyen