| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 6 January 2007 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 1 |
| McCaig | |
| Blochairn Star | 1 |
Windlaw made two changes from their last competitive game before Christmas against Greenbank with Wullie Thornton replacing Zanda Dougall in defence and Player/Manager Benny Carey dropping himself to the bench to be replaced by Danny McKenna who was returning from his 4 game ban.
Windlaw had slightly the better of a fairly tight first half with John Lunny’s long kicking at times causing confusion between Blochairn’s goalkeeper and their central defensive pairing of Steph Smith and Alan Campbell. Windlaw’s young strikers McKenna and McGinley were however, unable to capitalise on this and on the half hour mark, McKenna bust Blochairn’s high offside line and burst through on goal, only to scuff his left-foot into the side-netting when he should really have scored. Chris Kerr was marshalling Blochairn’s star striker Gerry Hughes well, although Blochairn had threats all over the pitch. Blochairn’s best chance came on 20 minutes, however they were unable to convert a cross-cum shot past John Lunny. Star also had a few decent set-play opportunities which they wasted and the game was scoreless at the break.
Half-Time: Windlaw 0 Blochairn Star 0
Blochairn came out the traps well after the break and should have scored within minutes, however Adam Black headed tamely at John Lunny from point blank range. Windlaw then regrouped and took the lead on 63 minutes. As the ball fell between Blochairn’s defence and their goalkeeper, confusion reigned as the keeper initially came off his line and by the time he tried to retreat, Danny McKenna had dinked a neat chip over his head toward the empty net where Eck McCaig stooped to head the easiest goal he’ll ever score. For the next 10 minutes, Windlaw had Blochairn on the rack, however they failed to net a crucial second. Gerry Hughes then forced a fine save from John Lunny down low at his right hand post before the rebound was blocked for a corner. On 81 minutes, Blochairn equalised after a slick move down their left which Windlaw could have defended better. The ball rolled along just inside the penaly area to Brian McGeachy who somehow got his shot through three Windlaw defenders before it hit McInally on his hip and bounced into the net just inside Lunny’s left hand post. John McCabe then had a chance to win it for Windlaw as he burst through Blochairn’s defence from the left wing and was clean through on the keeper. His attempted chip was easily held though and in the dying seconds, the increasingly influential and impressive Jamie Elliott nearly won it for Blochairn when his thunderous 30 yard drive was tipped onto the crossbar and over by John Lunny for a corner.
Full-Time: Windlaw 1 Blochairn Star 1
Verdict: A draw was probably about right as both sides will feel they had chances to win this game. This was a good advert for the league with the standard of play quite high at most times. Ultimately, Windlaw had to win this game and with the title now gone, this could yet be a precious point for Blochairn. A tough game played in good spirit and well handled by referee Duncan Yuill.
Website Man Of The Match: John Lunny-the burly keeper produced a fine display along with Chris Kerr. His stunning save at the end from Jamie Elliott will surely take some beating this season.
