Aberdeen Atoms v Westhill 3 – Wednesday 30th October – Cults Academy 8.45pm
Match Report by Maureen Nicol
Atoms got off to a flying start with a goal from Buckley in the first few minutes of the game with both Buckley and Waite working well within the circle. There was some lovely defending from Lewis, Edgar and Miller which kept Westhill out of the circle, keeping them working hard. Westhill soon joined Atoms on the scoresheet but the Atoms defence made it very difficult for them to capitalise on this. The play remained fairly equal throughout the first quarter but atoms had the edge with lovely passes from the centre, good positioning and plenty of interceptions . The first quarter finished with atoms with a well deserved lead.
The second quarter started well for the atoms pushing forward, attacking and again scoring early in the quarter. Westhill fought back but the strong defence team and some daring leaps from Strachan and Lewis meant the pressure was kept up on Westhill and more goals for Atoms followed. Westhill pushed forward with some lovely play and more goals followed for them. Atoms quickly took control of the game again with lovely concise passes in the centre court feeding the circle culminating in some lovely goals from both Waite and Buckley despite a strong defence from Westhill. There was some lovely positioning from atoms on the court and this was shown in the scoreline at the end of the second quarter with atoms remaining in the lead.
The third quarter opened with the same fast pace and both teams appeared to be a little tired with more mistakes being made. MacDonald joined the defending team and worked well with Edgar in keeping Westhill out of the circle; feeding the ball forward and team atoms increased their score. There was some lovely play from Stephen, Malley and Lewis making sure the ball was moving towards the score circle and keeping Westhill on the back foot with some lovely interceptions.
The final quarter saw a revitalised Westhill increase the pressure from the start but some good solid defending from atoms made it difficult for Westhill to capitalise on this, there were further goals from both sides but Westhill were unable to catch up on atoms and the match finished Atoms 51 Westhill 3 24. This was the first match when atoms were stretched as team and they rose well to the challenge with a well deserved victory.
Team: Buckley; Strachan; MacDonald; Edgar; Waite; Lewis; Malley; Miller; Stephen
A special thanks to the clubs sponsors Scotmid and NOV.