| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 17 March 2007 Barlia Sports Complex |
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| Windlaw | 2 |
| Carey, Kerr | |
| Tynecastle | 1 |
| Paterson | |
Windlaw made only one change from 9-1 hammering of Peterson Park with captain Shug Neeson returning to replace the injured Ian Baird in midfield. Danny McKenna and Eck McCaig returned to what was an extremely strong substitute’s bench.
Despite facing a strong wind, Windlaw began by passing the ball well and kept the ball moving well along the deck. Clear-cut chances were at a premium at both ends though, but Kevin McCann’s deliveries from wide areas were causing the Tynecastle defence some problems. Windlaw were the better side and it was a surprise,when Tynecastle took the lead on 28 minutes. After twice failing to clear their lines, Windlaw were under pressure as the ball broke to Tynecastle’s Critchley at the edge of the box. He cut inside Zanda Dougall and unleashed a fine low fizzing shot which John Lunny did brilliantly to parry onto his right-hand post. The rebound however was tucked home by Paterson from close range who appeared to be in a suspiciously offside position. This boosted the visitors and they applied slightly more pressure until the break without creating too much. Windlaw finished the half disappointed after a good showing had seen them behind slightly against the run of play, but with the wind behind them after the break, they harboured hopes of a comeback.
Half-Time: Windlaw 0 Tynecastle 1
The second half began quite evenly with Windlaw camping Tynecastle more into their own half but with the Easterhouse men looking threatening on the break. On 65 minutes, Windlaw replaced Wullie Thornton with John McCabe. Within minutes, the equaliser arrived. A free-kick from Windlaw’s right was swung deep into the box by Allan Dougall, causing panic in the Tynecastle area and after a collision between defender and goalkeeper, the ball broke to Benny Carey six yards out and his shot just squeezed inside the post and over the line despite the best efforts of Tynecastle’s McCarthy on the goal-line. Play really opened up then with both sides searching for a winner. Windlaw made two more changes with McCaig and McKenna replacing Allan Dougall and Kevin McCann. Tynecastle’s goalkeeper then produced a fantastic save from a Davie McGinley free-kick down low at his right-hand post. The winning goal arrived on 80 minutes after a flowing Windlaw break-away down their left flank. Substitute McKenna shifted the ball out to John McCabe in space and the galloping full-back’s cross to the edge of the Tynecastle box was met by Chris Kerr who slid his shot into the corner of the net for his second goal against Tynecastle in three weeks. It was a quality move and a goal worthy of winning any game. Tynecastle rallied with some late pressure but it was Windlaw who came closest to another goal before the end when Davie McGinley’s lob landed just wide of the Tynecastle goal with two minutes remaining. Windlaw held on well though to secure a good three points.
Full-Time: Windlaw 2 Tynecastle 1
Verdict: Another good, close-fought contest between these two sides in which Windlaw deserved the three points. Their passing throughout was good and they showed good patience despite frustration at times. It was definitely one of Windlaw’s better performances for a while and a goal or two more would not have flattered them against a side who have performed well of late. Tynecastle didn’t perform badly in this game and any potential title challengers will have to play well to get anything from them. We wish Bernie and the Tynecastle boys well for the remainder of their season.
Website Man Of The Match: Davie McGinley- for the second game running. The big striker produced his best performance yet in a Windlaw jersey. His selfless holding-up play and the way he brought his team-mates into the game was superb. His performance deserved a goal which the Tynecastle keeper denied him, with a couple of great saves. Honourable mentions go to Colin Sinclair who again was excellent and Shug Neeson who returned to control the midfield area.
