| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 4 Serptember 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 2 |
| McGinley (2) | |
| Peterson Park | 1 |
| Team: Lunny, Sinclair, McInally, Tierney, McCaig, K.McCann, Docherty, Baird, McCabe (Neeson), Stoddard (Kerr), Carey (McGinley). Unused Subs: Dougall, Herbison | |
Windlaw made some changes for this match to allow some of the fringe players a chance to make a claim for a first team position. Dougall, McGinley, Neeson and Kerr all dropped to the bench for Sinclair, Docherty, McCabe and Stoddard. Windlaw lined up with the trusty 3-5-2 formation that served them so well the season before.
Before the game kicked off, you just had a feeling it was going to be one of those nights: - The floodlights weren't working properly, the referee and opposition were late and there just seemed to be a general feeling of lethargy around the players before kick-off.
Well, the game started and it was quite clear from the early play that the observation made of the players being lethargic was spot on. Sloppy passing, careless control and poor all round organisation was displayed throughout the team as Windlaw were heading towards producing their worst display of the season, it really was that evident after just 15 minutes.
Windlaw did make chances and could have scored a couple of goals but the final ball and finishing was letting them down. 1 goalbound effort was cleared off the line from a Scott Stoddard chance, leaving the diminutive frontman still searching for his first competitive goal.
Not really much more of note in a poor first half littered with mistakes and sloppy play. A big improvement was needed for the second half
The second half started and Windlaw had a change of personnel with Benny Carey injured and unable to continue. David McGinley was his replacement.
The performance had improved slightly in the second half, however it was Peterson Park who took a shock lead after some poor defending by Windlaw let the Peterson winger sneak in at the back and drill past the on rushing Lunny.
John McCabe was replaced by Shug Neeson and the big man seemed to give the players a lift with his presence on the park. The tempo was instantly lifted.
Windlaw grabbed an equaliser after a fine move down the right saw Scott Stoddard drill a low shot off the base of the post only for it to rebound to David McGinley who tapped in to make it 1-1. That was Stoddard's final contribution as he was replaced by Chris Kerr immediately after the goal.
Windlaw had picked up a bit and looked like they were going to get the vital second goal which would win the game as Peterson Park didn’t look like scoring again. Indeed it did come as an excellent move down the right hand side again saw a low cross fall to David McGinley. The big striker was slightly ahead of the ball however he checked his run, adjusted his body superbly and somehow managed to clip the ball into the bottom corner and put Windlaw 2-1 ahead. An excellent move finished off with an excellent finish.
That was to be the end of the scoring in this dull encounter played out by a poor team and a good team playing poorly. Windlaw progress to the 3rd round after being rescued by the introduction of Shug Neeson and David McGinley
Verdict: Windlaw, bereft of enthusiasm and motivation for some strange reason, won a match which had no atmosphere about it, nothing entertaining in the slightest. The only positive to take is that we're in the next round and can't possibly play any worse than this again.
Website Man Of The Match: David McGinley for his rescuing act, coming off the bench to grab the 2 vital goals which took Windlaw into the next round. Other notable mentions go to Marty Doc for a strong performance and Bruce Tierney who again played competently at centre back.
