Match Report 25

           

 

 

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MATCH DETAILS:-

 

DATE :-

29th March 2003

FIXTURE:-

Auchnagatt Barrons v Halliburton

K.O. :-

2:00PM.

COMPETITION:-

League

VENUE:-

Auchnagatt

COLOURS:-

Royal, Royal, Black.

SUMMARY:-

Stuart Marlow

RESULT:-

Auchnagatt 1 Halliburton 2

SCORERS:-

Wood, Merchant

TEAM:-

GOALKEEPER:-

Andrews 4

DEFENCE:-

N.Milne 4

Shaw 4

Robertson 4

Michie 4

MIDFIELD:-

Keith 4

N.Wood

Graham 4

M.Woods 4

FORWARDS:-

G.Woods 4

Merchant

SUBSTITUTES:-

Sim replaced Merchant 78 mins.

HALLI-TOPMAN Jason Keith

 

 

Marlow replaced Robertson 80 mins.

 

 

REPORT:-

 

This afternoon we reached the halfway mark in our league campaign and we were looking to continue our recent impressive run of results. The squad was stretched when call offs were received from Morgan, E.Milne, Fulton and England. That left us with only 13 to choose from. The line up named saw 3 changes in midfield from last weeks starting eleven, 1 in defence and 1 up front! Andrews, N.Milne, Shaw, Robertson and Michie were in defence. Keith, Wood, Graham and M.Woods in midfield behind the front two of G.Woods and Merchant. Back up was provided by Sim and Marlow. A rock hard park provided a fiery surface as play got underway. A pretty even opening until the 15th min when we went in front through Wood he scored at the second attempt. This gave us a lift and Merchant struck the post after a neat move up the right. Soon after a tremendous run and pass from Robertson set up Wood but he hit the near post when it was easier to score. In 30 mins Keith produced some magic to conjure up a tap in for Merchant who gleefully accepted the chance to put us 2 up. From this goal until half time we fell right out of it with passes going astray and defenders failing to clear their lines. The midfield were not helping their back line much at all and too often failed to track back. Robertson gave away a penalty in 43 mins. but for the second match in a row Andrews got down to smother the spot kick (H.T.0-2) Although 2 nil up it was pleasing to see every player complaining about the last 10 minutes of the first half. They were right to be disappointed as we had been dreadful and were fortunate to come off with our 2 goal lead intact. We simply had to up the tempo if we were going to keep the home side at bay. The defence were instructed to keep it simple and clear their lines. It would not matter one bit if all we did was keep the ball away from our goal as long as we held onto the 3 points which were at half time in the bag. As play got underway Michie dithered straight from the kick off and let the home centre in for a shot which he struck wide. So much for adhering to instruction! Auchnagatt were now well up for it and they pressured us from all angles. We were lucky to survive when Milne was turned out on the right, a low cross ball was missed by everyone in the box. Their constant pressure finally paid off when they pulled a goal back in 58 mins. Michie stood up to claim for something from the ref? Andrews was cross legged as the ball was sent past him. Soon after this G.Woods was swapped with Wood and the big mans height made a difference in the centre of the park. Keith was having an excellent match and threaded a great ball up the right off which we won a corner. From the resultant flag kick, Robertson blasted an off balance effort high over the crossbar. The centre back was then hurt in an accidental collision with Michie. Both players went for a high ball in our box with Michie getting to it first in doing so he smashed into Robertson who took a knock in his lower back. Sim was introduced for Merchant which meant a change around, Graham went up front, Keith moved into the middle and N.Milne forward into midfield. Sim took up his position in the vacated right back berth. A swop around that should have confused the opposition although it seemed to confuse our players more than theirs! To further confuse only moments later Marlow came on to replace Robertson which saw him in at sweeper, Michie into centre back and Shaw out to left back! Following all of those moves it meant that only Andrews and M.Woods had played out the entire 90mins in their starting positions! It certainly gives squad rotation a new meaning. Andrews made an excellent save to kill off any chance Auchnagatt had of nicking a point when he turned a strong drive over the top. Marlow used experience to waste some vital seconds and instructed M.Woods to leave the corner kick we had won to Keith, this prompted shouts of time wasting from the home defence however its all part and parcel of the game? N.Milne broke forward on a couple of occasions then Wood was forced off with cramp in his leg. Merchant professionally indicating to our bench that the player could not resume, good in theory but we had no substitutes left to replace him with. (F.T.1-2) Another great 3 points. 6 wins from last 7 is ace. Topman goes to Jason Keith.