| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 24 March 2007 Alexandra Parade |
|
| Hogganfield Thistle | 1 |
| Windlaw | 3 |
| McCaig, McGinlay, McKenna | |
Windlaw made only two changes from the victory over Tynecastle last Saturday with Zanda Dougall calling off at the last minute and Kevin McCann on holiday, being replaced by Eck McCaig and John McCabe. This resulted in a formation change with Allan Dougall going into a 3 man defence to replace his cousin and Eck McCaig going upfront to join Carey and McGinley in a three-pronged attack. John McCabe slotted into right midfield. Ian Baird missed out through injury but Wullie Wilson made a return to the substitutes bench after an injury lay-off.
Glorious sunshine bathed the sandy, uneven surface at Alexandra Parade as Windlaw made their first trip to the new venue that looked better from the outside than it actually was. The home side began well with 2 big front players who were outsizing the Windlaw defence. In the opening 10 minutes, Hogganfield broke down the left wing and from the cross, their forward’s header rattled the bar from close range when he really should have scored. Despite Hogganfield starting well, Windlaw also looked threatening throughout the first half and probably still had more clear-cut chances. Neeson twice blasted over from close range when he should have done better and Benny Carey just failed to connect with a John McCabe cross after a flowing move involving Eck McCaig. Davie McGinlay was causing Hogganfield problems and he forced the home keeper into a fine close range save. The tackling was tough in midfield but Windlaw were still holding their own in the physical battles. Hogganfield had another few close things before half-time but failed to break the deadlock and Windlaw went in at half-time a little frustrated knowing they could play better.
Half-Time: Hogganfield Thistle 0 Windlaw 0
Almost from the kick-off, Windlaw took the initiative and began to dominate proceedings penning Hogganfield in their own half. The opening goal was inevitable and it arrived on 53 minutes through Eck McCaig. Shug Neeson dinked a fine ball over the home defence for McCaig to run onto before he advanced and struck a shot across the keeper that landed just inside his right hand post for a deserved lead. Windlaw continued to dominate and searched for more goals to kill the game off. Davie McGinlay was denied a stonewall penalty by referee Harry Boswell when a defender climbed all over him as he waited to nod in a certain tap-in goal from 2 yards out. An inexplicable decision that at least preserves Windlaw’s perfect record of playing 23 competitive games this season without being awarded a spot-kick. McGinlay’s rare headed goal duly arrived soon after, with Neeson providing a fine cross for him to stoop for his 15th goal of the season. Danny McKenna then replaced John McCabe and his tricky footwork was soon giving Hogganfield nightmares as the chances kept coming thick and fast. Neeson hit the side-netting with a header from a corner and the Hogganfield keeper somehow turned McKenna’s shot onto the post after a fine cross from McGinlay. McKenna finally got the goal he threatened on 80 minutes after he brilliantly chipped the ball over a defender and rolled it past the advancing keeper from 12 yards with his left foot for an Henry-esque style finish. Hogganfield had a late flurry as Windlaw got sloppy and McCartney forced Lunny into a good save late on before Windlaw conceded the obligatory consolation goal on 88 minutes when the Hogganfield substitute broke clear of the Windlaw defence and slammed a shot past Lunny from 15 yards. Perhaps some reward for the enterprise Hogganfield had showed throughout.
Full-Time: Hogganfield Thistle 1 Windlaw 3
Verdict: A good three points and a good second half display by Windlaw sees them approach next week’s League Cup Semi-Final in a decent run of form. After the interval, Windlaw dominated and with better finishing, could have scored 8 or 9. It's easy to see why Hogganfield have scored so many goals this season and their attacking options are good. They’re a decent side who can cause many teams problems, especially at home. We wish them well for the remainder of the campaign.
Website Man Of The Match: Shug Neeson- the big skipper was informing the team before the game that this was the venue where Windlaw played their very first friendly way back in 1991, in which he played. Time must have stood still as 16 years on, he is still man of the match! Showed good leadership and drive and set up the first two goals. Only blip was that he missed three decent chances himself.
