| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 24 February 2007 Lochend High School |
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| Tynecastle | 1 |
| Critchley | |
| Windlaw | 2 |
| Kerr, McGinlay | |
Windlaw were rocked before kick-off when Wullie Thornton, Steph McCann and Eck McCaig all withdrew from the squad at the last minute due to work commitments. This resulted in four changes from the starting line-up that drew 2-2 at leaders Blochairn Star last Saturday. Allan Dougall, Kevin McCann, Benny Carey and Davie McGinlay replaced the working trio while John McCabe also missed out through injury. The withdrawals left Windlaw with only two substitutes in Alan Nugent and Bruce Tierney who were both returning to the squad.
Early exchanges between the sides were quite even although both defences were on top and neither goalkeeper was called into serious action before Windlaw’s opening goal on 28 minutes. Allan Dougall on the right-wing pinged one of his trademark searching crosses into the Tynecastle box between goalkeeper and last defender. As the ball dropped around six yards out, it was met by Chris Kerr’s diving header as his superbly timed run from midfield allowed him to ghost in unchallenged and send the ball across Tynecastle keeper Burns into the corner of the net. It was a brilliantly worked goal that both contributors deserve credit for manufacturing. The goal settled Windlaw slightly and they began to get on top although their passing was still uncertain at times. On the very stroke of half-time, Windlaw almost doubled their lead however, Benny Carey’s hooked shot fell a yard wide of Burn’s right hand post. Windlaw went in reasonably content with the half-time lead.
Half-Time: Tynecastle 0 Windlaw 1
Windlaw didn’t start the second-half well again passing the ball very sloppily. This gave the home side encouragement and despite not carving out any clear-cut scoring chances, Tynecastle were still well in the game. You could sense a nervousness in Windlaw and almost inevitably Tynecastle equalised in 66 minutes, ironically as Windlaw tried to mount an attack. McInally collected the ball in the right-back position and played it forward only for the ball to be intercepted by Tynecastle’s McAteer who then played a fine ball over McInally’s head for Davie Critchley to run onto. The big forward kept his composure and sidefooted home from 20 yards out as the goal opened up for him. Windlaw looked stunned and the goal clearly rattled them as their brittle confidence ensured more sloppy passing ensued. Then on 73 minutes, they snatched a second goal after a surprisingly decent passing move. Neeson fed McInally on the right-wing and his pass inside to Ian Baird was then played into the path of defender Colin Sinclair who had appeared in a very unusual position for him. More bizarrely, he then struck a fine looping shot from 22 yards out which struck the Tynecastle crossbar and flew high into the air. As it landed, Windlaw’s Davie McGinlay reacted quickest and from 6 yards out, his shot on the volley struck Burns on the line who couldn’t keep it out of the net. This gave the visitors something to cling onto. With eight minutes remaining there was then a sickening head collision between Shug Neeson and Colin Sinclair on the touchline as both attempted to defend a Tynecastle attack. Neeson got up clearly still dazed, but carried on bravely while Sinclair had to be replaced by Bruce Tierney as he left the field with blood pouring from a wound on top of his head. Thankfully, both players have recovered fully although Sinclair required four stitches. Despite some late Tynecastle pressure from corners and long-throws, Windlaw defended resolutely enough to secure a hard-earned three points and get back to Castlemilk with slim hopes of a top-half finish still intact.
Full-Time: Tynecastle 1 Windlaw 2
Verdict: An excellent three points for Windlaw, however yet again, not a performance to be proud of. The team’s passing and shape is currently very poor and little fluency is being found. The foundation of this victory was based upon the determined attitude of the likes of Sinclair, Neeson and Zanda Dougall and these qualities were just enough to get the points. Tynecastle as always, were very well-organised and the visit there, continues to be one of the toughest away games to be faced each season by any side in the league.
Website Man Of The Match: Colin Sinclair- the veteran defender continued his superb form of late and even set up the winning goal before he was forced to go off in the closing minutes after a sickening head collision with team-mate Shug Neeson. Other noteable mentions go to Zanda Dougall in defence, Shug Neeson and Allan Dougall in midfield and Davie McGinlay upfront. Alan Nugent also kept the ball superbly upfront after coming on as a late substitute.
