| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 28 October 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 2 |
| McCaig, OG | |
| Greenhills Dynamo | 2 |
| Murth, Donnelly | |
| Team: Lunny, McInally, Kerr, Thornton, McCann, Neeson, McCaig, Carmichael, Wilson, Carey, Campbell | |
| Referee: Tony Gribbon | |
Windlaw manager Benny Carey rung the changes going into the match with old rivals Greenhills Dynamo after a dismal defeat at home 2 weeks previously. Out went Zanda and Allan Dougall, Tierney, McCabe and in came Carey, Campbell, Wilson, Carmichael
Windlaw were out to get their title challenge back on track after collecting only 1 point from a possible 6 in the previous 2 league games at barlia. Manager Benny Carey made a tactical switch that saw Kevin McCann drop into left back with Wullie Wilson in front of him. We will never know how well it would have worked out because with barely 5 minutes on the clock, Benny Carey pulled up with a recurring hamstring injury and was replaced with Allan Dougall. A few positional changes were needed and it was game on again.
Windlaw were clearly up for it and were going at Greenhills at every opportunity. It was interesting to see how Greenhills would cope without the influential trio of Cullie, Hughes and Livingstone in the ranks. The home side were fighting for every ball and were clearly determined to gain the upper hand early on. Windlaw were dominating the play with Neeson and Carmichael bossing the centre of the park, supported well by the 2 sets of wide men.
Windlaw's first goal came midway through the first half. Some neat wing play by Darren Campbell saw him beat the defender and fire a teasing cross into the heart of the Greenhills penalty area, where Eck McCaig came across the defender and glanced the ball into the net. A well worked goal and Windlaw deservedly one up.
Windlaw continued to press, sensing they could get another goal and kill the game off. The home side kept at it but couldn't get the second goal they needed. It should have came later in the first half when Shug Neeson missed a gilt edged chance. Dougall played the ball to McCann, who held it up as Dougall overlapped him on the wing. McCann played the ball wide and Dougall put a perfect cross into the box straight to Shug Neeson's feet. The influential skipper's first touch was sublime, almost Maradona-esque. The big man rounded the Greenhills keeper, but took one touch too many and ran the ball out of the park. A real let-off for the visitors. The home side were left to wonder if that chance would come back to haunt them.
That was the last action of the first half and it would be fair to say Windlaw were dominant and should have been ahead by a few more goals.
Half-Time: Windlaw 1 Greenhills Dynamo 0
Windlaw remained unchanged at the interval despite Chris Kerr's niggling injury and the tired legs of Campbell and Carmichael, who didn't have much match time under their belts so far this season.
Windlaw doubled their lead midway through the second half when a fine in-swinging cross was met by the Greenhills defender, who steered it into his own net. Dejection for the visitors but elation for the reigning champions who were on course to beat Greenhills for the first time in a long time.
Windlaw looked comfortable now and should have gone on to collect all 3 points, however as the story goes in derby matches, it ain't over til it's over. Greenhills proved this by clawing back a goal almost immediately, when a fine counter attack saw Murtha bearing down on Lunny. The prolific frontman lobbed the keeper and got Greenhills back in the game.
The match roared from end to end as each team tried to get another vital goal. It was brilliant match to be watching.
With the match delicately balanced at 2-1, Greenhills got the equaliser they craved through a stunning Mick Donnelly effort. Carmichael was adjudged to have fouled Smith on the edge of the box, result - free kick to Greenhills. Lunny lined up his wall best he could but it was pointless as Donnelly blasted an unstoppable free-kick in the postage stamp corner of the net, dragging Greenhills right back into the game !!! Credit where it's due, you'll struggle to see a better free kick anywhere this season, even at professional level.
Greenhills sensed they could win the match and went at Windlaw again, but Windlaw were determined to come out victorious.
Controversy arrived late in the match when the referee adjudged Campbell's cutback to McCann, who was left with a tap-in into an empty net, as offside. A poor decision that enraged the Windlaw camp, but that's the way it goes sometimes. The visitors were equally incensed soon after when they suffered a similar decision from the erratic referee.
Windlaw had another couple of chances to get a 3rd but Eck McCaig couldn't get on the end of a fine Wilson cross and Shug Neeson was extremely unlucky as his header came back off the face of the bar.
The match ended at 2-2, an entertaining game but most people will go away talking about the performance of the referee more than the match itself
Full-Time: Windlaw 2 Greenhills Dynamo 2
Verdict: An enthralling match for everyone involved, but Windlaw really should have buried Greenhills after dominating the first half and putting in an outstanding performance. Instead, they let their rivals back in the game and they duly obliged in taking a point with 2 well worked goals. Disappointment again for Windlaw whose title challenge has really come off the rails in recent weeks. The reigning champions need to start converting more chances and start taking all 3 points in games rather than letting the opposition back into games easily.
Website Man Of The Match: Allan Dougall. Did superbly well having being called off the bench after only 5 minutes to replace Benny Carey. He linked well with Eck McCaig on right hand side and passed the ball well under pressure. He also put some telling dead-balls into the Greenhills box that were very difficult to defend. If he shows this form consistently, he could fill what has become somewhat of a problem position.
