Match Report - Scottish National League U19 Girls – DWPC v Menzieshill -15th Mar - NSA

Published: 17 March 2026

Dunfermline WPC’s U19 girls played their 6^th game of the 2025/26 season with a third fixture against Caley team-mates and friends, Menzieshill (MH). DWPC were only able to field 7 players due to the unavailability of Hali, Ruby and Molly Oswald but fortunately Niamh Wilson (2014 born) agreed to play up three age groups in order that we could fulfil the fixture. MH had 9 players but unfortunately no recognised goalkeeper as Ksenia, who proved to be a formidable GK the last time we played was unavailable. In a very high scoring game, we defended very well and using Niamh as a lone forward player won 27-20 with Niamh scoring an incredible 11 goals. Very well played girls.

Per 1: We made a very positive start with Ava scoring in our first attack. Having decided to adopt a tactic of man down defence and leaving 1 player (Niamh) forward, it didn’t start well with MH taking full advantage to score 3 goals in a row through Ailsa Duncan (AD) at CF. We did pull one back sending the ball long to Niamh who scored but MH responded with a further 2 goals with AD’s 4^th of the period and a nice lob from Libby Duncan (LD). As we began to get our defence & GK more organised, we scored 2 goals in the last minute on the counter-attack through Niamh and Ava to trail 4-6 at the end of the 1^st period.

Per 2: MH started well increasing their lead through Rosie IB before Ava pulled one back. A further 2 goals from Millie Wishart (MW) and LD extended the MH lead but as our 5v6 defence became more compact, we stole the ball and sent it long to Niamh to score before MW scored again for MH. We attacked again though and for the 2^nd period in a row scored two in the last 30 secs of the period, one from Poppy when 6v5 and another from Niamh with a steal and long pass forward. A 5-4 period win although we trailed 10-9 at the halfway point.

Per 3: At the start of this period our 5v6 tactics worked really well as we more active in putting pressure on the ball carrier to gain steals or force error. This helped us to steal and release Niamh or spring a counter attack continuously. We scored 7 through Niamh (3) Ava (3) and Isla to just 1 in reply from MH through Eleanor Campbell (EC). MH finished the period strongly to score 4 through RIB, MW and AD (2) but we scored two ourselves though through a double from Ava to win a very high scoring period 9-5 and to lead 18-14 at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: The high scoring continued in the final period. AD pulled one back for MH before we scored four in a row through Isla and Ava (3). AD and MW pulled two back for MH before we replied with 3 from Ava and Niamh (2). Ailsa D then scored her 9^th goal of the game (an excellent effort) before Ava extended our lead again with 2 shots from the perimeter. On the restart, Eleanor then finished the scoring for MH with the last shot of the game. A 2^nd 9-5 period win in a row for a final score of 27-20. Well done to both sets of players for an exciting contest and for their efforts with no or little substitutions available.

Game Reflections:

Our players are to be commended for a hard working and tactically smart performance. To play so well with just 7 players for four periods was an excellent and hardworking effort. Very well done to Niamh and Ava who scored 23 goals between them, but this was possible due to excellent team 5v6 defence and the fact that MH had to play with inexperienced and reluctant goalkeepers.

Going forward we should continue our excellent work rate whilst focusing on:

• Player release and passing decision making and accuracy to reduce the number of possession turnovers and to take full advantage of gaining player advantage when counter attacking.
• Ball reception of longer passes when on the move.
• Perimeter shooting.

Match Statistics:

1. Team & Goal scorers ( ): Eve Fielding, Ava Thornton (12), Ruby Reid, Niamh Wilson (11), Poppy Reid (1). Isla Edwards (2), EllieThornton.
2. Exclusions/Pens conceded: Ava (1exc), Ruby R (3 exc).
3. Man-up – 2 gained - 2 scored (100%) - Man-down: 4 conceded – 3 saved. (75%)
4. Penalties: 0 gained – 0 conceded.

Match Report - Scottish National League U17 – Warrender v Dunfermline WPC

Published: 17 March 2026

Saturday 14^th March – 2026 at Carnegie Centre, Dunfermline:

Dunfermline WPC’s U17 girls played their 3^rd and final game v Warrender - in the 2025/25 season, reversing the previous two defeats with a commendable 19-13 win.

We lined up with 9 players to Warrender’s 12 and positively were able to welcome back Ava Thornton who missed the last game due to GB involvement. The game was very tight for the first three periods with Warrender leading 12-11 at the three-quarter stage. However, a very strong final period as Warrender introduced their younger and less experienced players, allowed us to pull away for victory. Congratulations to both teams for another well fought and competitive fixture.                               

Per 1: 7 goals were shared in this period with Warrender edging it 4-3. We worked hard to gain 3 exclusions scoring one 6v5 and also a penalty which we converted. Our 3 goals were scored by Ava.

Per 2: We fought back strongly in this period to score six through Poppy when 6v5, Ava (3), Hali and Isla. Warrender scored three and gained 2 exclusions with strong driving but tight defence and good goalkeeping by Eve kept them out. We led 9-7 at halftime.

Per 3: Warrender then fought back strongly to win this period 5-2. Emily Lake scored early to reduce arrears before Hali converted a 6v5 to increase our lead again. Warrender then scored 3 in a row to lead by one before Ava equalised. Zoe Nimmo scored with 4 seconds on the clock to give Warrender a 12-11 lead at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: As Warrender made changes, we had a very strong final period, defending strongly then counter attacking to score 7 without reply through Ava (2), Hali (3) and Ellie (2). Warrender pulled a goal back, we then saved a 5v6 situation before Isla finished the scoring for an 8-1 period score and a 19-13 win. Very well done girls.

Game Reflections:

For three periods, this was another highly competitive fixture between the two teams. Unlike last time however, we gained ascendancy in the last period to score some nice goals on the counter-attack. All our players enjoyed lengthy water time and contributed positively to our win. All round a very positive performance.

Areas to work on:

• 6v5 – setting up quickly, passing accurately to the free player and making good decisions on when to shoot on target!
• 1v1 defence – Position the body to direct the opposition driver away from the ball and the goal and if caught behind defend without conceding a penalty.
• Collective defence – Work together and communicate switches to cover opposition driving threats and crash back to protect our CB.
• Shooting on target under pressure especially from the perimeter.

Match Statistics:

1. Team & Goal scorers ( ): Eve Fielding, Ruby Oswald, Ava Thornton (9) Hali Farah (5), Niamh Wilson, Poppy Reid (1), Isla Edwards (2), Molly Oswald, Ellie Thornton (2)
2. Exclusions/Pens conceded: Ruby O (1 pen), Niamh (1exc) Poppy R (2 exc).
3. Man-up –8 gained. 3 scored (38%) - Man-down: 3 conceded – 1 goal scored – 67%
4. Penalties: 1 gained – 1 scored (100%) 0 conceded.

Match Report - SNL U17 Girls – DWPC v Menzieshill – Sat 7 Mar

Published: 08 March 2026

Match Report - Scottish National League U17 Girls – DWPC v Menzieshill – Saturday 7^th March 2026 - Carnegie Centre – Dunfermline.

Dunfermline WPC’s U17 girls have this weekend played their Caley team-mates and friends Menzieshill & Whitehall for the 2nd time this season at U17 level. Dunfermline lined up with 9 players and Menzieshill only seven but both teams served up a hard working and closely fought contest in which both sets of players enjoyed extended time in the water. Both teams won two periods each, but a very strong 3^rd period where we scored 5 goals without reply edged the game 13-10 in our favour.

Per 1: DWPC made a positive start with 2 goals from Hali, one when 6v5 before Ailsa D scored for MH when we were 5v6. Hali scored her 3^rd goal of the period in the last minute for a 3-1 lead at the end of the period.

Per 2: Eleanor C scored early for MH from the perimeter to reduce arrears before Isla scored to re-establish our two goal lead. We then gained but missed a 6v5 before goals from Rosie IB and Phoebe S drew MH level at 4-4. Rosie H then scored on the drive for a 2-3 period score and a narrow 5-4 lead at the halfway point.

Per 3: We did really well in this period and effectively won the game with five goals scored without reply with strong defence and goalkeeping, counter attacks and accurate shooting. Our goals were scored by Hali (2), Ruby O when 6v5, Niamh and a 2^nd from Rosie to lead 10-4 at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: Credit to MH however who fought back strongly at the start of the final period with 3 goals through Libby D with a lob, Rosie IB and Ailsa’s 2^nd at CF as we lost our composure. We then rallied to score 3 in a row with excellent counterattacking and shooting from Isla. MH kept working hard taking advantage of our inaccurate passing to score another 3 goals from Ailsa, Rosie IB and Eleanor. They then gained a 6v5 but we did well to save it before we gained a penalty which was unfortunately missed. A 3-6 final period to MH for a final 13-10 win for DWPC.  Well played girls.

Game Reflections:

Well done to both teams for a hardworking and closely fought contest. The players are to be commended for their hard work and their determined but also sporting and respectful approach to the game.

Going forward we should focus on:

• Our decision making and accuracy when passing.
• Our counter-attacking accuracy.
• Releasing strongly v defensive pressure to receive a pass or move the ball on accurately and quickly.
• Our penalty shooting.
• Match Statistics:

1. Team & Goal scorers ( ): Eve Fielding, Ruby Oswald (1), Hali Farah (5), Niamh Wilson (1), Poppy Reid, Isla Edwards (4), Rosie Hookham (2), Molly Oswald, EllieThornton.
2. Exclusions/Pens conceded: Ruby O (1 exc), Hali (1 exc), Niamh (1 exc) Isla (1 exc), Poppy (1 exc)
3. Man-up – 3 gained - 2 scored (67%) - Man-down: 5 conceded – 2 saved. (40%)
4. Penalties: 1 gained - 0 scored – (0%) – 0 conceded.

U/17 Girls: Caledonia – NAGS –28th Feb & 1st Mar –Sandwell. Report.

Published: 02 March 2026

Caley U/17’s headed down to Sandwell in West Bromwich last weekend to try and qualify for the NAGS finals for the first time.

After a long journey by car or train, we faced two games on Saturday and one on Sunday with each game 4 x 7mins playing time. We were placed in the four team Group A with Cheltenham, Worthing and City of Liverpool and needed to be placed 2^nd in the group to qualify. We travelled down with 13 players with Eleanor Campbell and Charlotte Smith joining the team replacing Lily O’Neil and Rosie Hookham who were part of the team who did well to qualify from the Preliminary tournament in Gloucester.

Tournament details:

Team:

Day 1 - Game 1 v Cheltenham: 11:50

This was a very close and exciting contest where there was never any more than 2 goals between the sides. Both teams defended strongly and found it difficult to score. We took an early 2 goal lead through Ksenia (penalty) and Charlotte, but Cheltenham came fighting back to score 4 goals in a row to lead 4-2. A penalty goal by Ksenia with just 1 second on the period 2 clock and an early period 3 goal by Ava gave us parity at 4-4. Cheltenham went ahead again before Charlotte equalised at the end of period 3. Charlotte put us ahead at 6-5 before Cheltenham scored two to lead 7-6. We continued to work hard and with just 11 secs on the clock Ksenia equalised at 7-7 with her 3^rd penalty of the game to take the game into a penalty shoot-out. Unfortunately, we missed two of our efforts so Cheltenham won 11-10. A disappointing final outcome after working so hard to create many goal scoring opportunities but we just lacked a little composure and accuracy in front of goal.

Day 1 - Game 2 v Worthing: 16:10

Having lost our first game, we now knew that we had to win our next match v Worthing to have a chance of qualifying for the finals.  Worthing this year were a young and inexperienced team who had already lost heavily to the City of Liverpool earlier in the day. Great credit to our team however as we remained focused throughout the match with strong press defence and continuous counter attacks to win comfortably 29-8 with period scores of 10-2, 4-1, 9-3 and 6-2. This was a very strong and controlled performance in which 8 members of our team were on the scoresheet and all players enjoyed equal and sizeable water time to make positive contributions to the win.

Goal scorers were:  Ava 4, Hali 6, Charlotte 6, Eleanor 2, Isla 2, Libby D 1, Ailsa D 3 and Ksenia 5.

Day 2 - Game 3 v City of Liverpool (CofL): 11:10

As we lined up for our final game of the weekend v City of Liverpool (CoL), they had already qualified having beaten both Worthing and Cheltenham on the first day: We could qualify with a win or a draw and then winning the penalty shootout.

The girls were ready to go and made a very positive start to the game winning the first half 6-4. The 1^st period was very tight. Eleanor opened the scoring from the perimeter when we were 6v5 before CoL equalised at CF. They attacked strongly and we conceded 3 penalties and 3 exclusions, but they only managed to score 1 penalty with 1 miss and 1 save by Eve. We defended well though and saved all three 5v6’s before Ksenia scored for a 2-1 lead. As both teams attacked and defended strongly, we scored two, by Ksenia and Ava both when 6v5 to Liverpool’s 3 for a 4-4 scoreline with less than two minutes on the period clock. A quick double, by Ksenia again and Ailsa at CF within the last 30 seconds gave us a 6-4 lead at half-time. An excellent performance so far.

As the starting girls were beginning to tire, with hindsight, I should have made some changes to use our bench more during per 3 to give our older players some recovery rest and our younger players more experience and challenge in the water. We lost the period 3-0 as our attackers found it difficult to find the energy and accuracy to score from open play and when 6v5 against a very strong GK. Trailing 7-6 going into the last period our girls showed great determination however to keep pushing themselves and shared the first 4 goals to be trailing only 8-9 with 3 mins to go. Liverpool increased their lead to 10-8. Although tired, we kept working to gain two exclusions and a penalty but unfortunately, we couldn’t convert under defensive pressure.

Well done to Liverpool on their 10-8 win and to them and Cheltenham on their qualification for the finals. Well done to our girls too though for all their positive effort throughout the weekend and for pushing both teams so closely in just coming up short.

Many thanks to all the players for their efforts over the weekend. To continue our development, training will continue on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s as follows:

6:30pm and 8:00pm - 2011’s and 2012’s.

7:15pm to 9:00pm for 2010’s and 2009’s.

8:00pm to 9:30pm for 2008’s and Senior women.

I look forward to seeing everyone next Saturday when DWPC and Menzieshill will play against each other in an U17 game at Carnegie.

Many thanks too to Jillian, Julie and Leanne for all their excellent team support, organisations and social media communications and to parents Danny and Clo, Paul, Stuart, Pauline and David for providing transport along with Sharon and Ruby team support.