Peebles Ladies 2

Edinburgh Uni 5s 1

PEEBLES ladies played their penultimate game of the season on Saturday.

Edinburgh Uni 5s were the opponents and the ladies knew this was going to be a tough test and would probably not be a repeat of the previous game earlier in the season where the Pees came out on top with a convincing 7-0 victory.

With fourth spot in the league already in the bag if the ladies won this game there was a good chance fourth could be turned into third if other results went their way, so nothing less than three points was vital.

The game started at very high tempo, as was to be expected with the young Uni team playing very much down the middle and using their right side to put pressure on the Peebles defence.

But, as in previous weeks, the defensive line of Leanne McAllister, Narelle Allan and Joyce Mathews held strong and managed to keep the Uni team at bay.

It was very much end to end action with chances at both ends.

But the first goal came for the home side in what was almost an identical goal from last week that saw Sarah Glendinning driving forward and slipping the ball through to Karis Sharp, whose great run found her with just the GK to beat and calmly slotting the ball past her.

Plenty more chances by the home side were created but unfortunately the Pees couldn't add to their lead.

Moments before half time a break by Uni caught the home team over committed and they managed to draw level.

Lots of positives to take into the second half as Peebles started strongly and dominated.

Numerous penalty corners were awarded one after the other to the home side but the Pees were very disappointed not to convert any of them.

The ladies continued to press the Uni defence and were awarded another penalty corner with four minutes remaining.

A straight strike by Megan Maciver was saved by the Uni GK, but the Uni defence failed to clear off the keeper's pads and Sarah Glendinning was on cue to slam the ball home.

There was much relief to take the lead so late on in the game and the home side held on to take all three points.

And with the news that Uni 4s were also beaten the Pees are now three points in front of them with one game remaining.

Peebles now only require one point from their final match to finish their first season back in the Premier Division in third spot, which is a truly amazing achievement.

Many thanks to Sandy for umpiring and coach Stuart Lobb for his continuous hard work with the team.

The ladies are away tomorrow for their last game of the season against Liberton. 12.30pm pass back.

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