| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League Division 1 | |
| 5 May 2007 Glenconner |
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| Windlaw | 2 |
| McGinlay, Kerr | |
| Greenhills Dynamo | 0 |
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Windlaw took temporary residence in the home dressing room at Glenconner, home of soon to be champions Blochairn, for their 'home' match against old rivals Greenhills Dynamo in this Strathclyde Cup Quarter Final clash. Barlia faces an uncertain future and will certainly not open until temporary measures can be put in place on the threadbare artificial surface.
Martin Kerr, taking charge of only his second game since Gary Wilson departed, made 3 changes to the team that defeated Airdrieonians in the League Cup Finla the previous week. Out went Allan Dougall, Ian Baird and Colin Carmichael with Chris Kerr, Wullie Thornton and Kevin McCann coming in. Wullie Wilson returned to the bench having been omitted from the cup final squad.
It was a crucial game for both teams, aside from being as close to a derby as you can get in Saturday morning football, it would prove to be a season buster for the losers as both teams have fell out of contention for the league crown, which will make it's way to Blochairn Star very soon. Windlaw were looking to add another trophy to the League Cup won the week prior and Greenhills were looking for their first piece of silverware since they won this very tournament back in 2004.
Windlaw were looking to make it a double whammy over their old foes, having knocked them out of the League Cup at the same stage earlier in the season, and certainly looked up for it as they attacked from the first whistle.
Shug Neeson almost gave Windlaw a sensational start after a fierce curling drive smashed off the face of the crossbar in the first minute of the match. The ball rebounded to Kevin McCann but he couldn't control his effort on what would prove to be a bumpy surface.
Windlaw continued to attack with purpose and were looking to make an early breakthrough. It came on 15 minutes when a fine drilled cross was converted by Windlaw top scorer Davie McGinlay. Windlaw sensed an opportunity to put a very different looking Greenhills to the sword and continued to press forward.
John Lunny was almost a spectator in the match, having very little to deal with by way of efforts at goal from the visitors. The fact top marksman Michael Donnelly was playing in a deeper role than normal aided the lack of activity in JL's penalty area and the defence were more than happy to see him there given his impressive scoring record against us.
The remainder of the half saw Windlaw pressing for a second goal with Greenhills unable to offer much in attack. Danny McKenna was causing problems down the left and Davie McGinlay was holding the ball up well and putting in a very unslefish shift.
Half-Time: Windlaw 1 Greenhills Dynamo 0
The second half began in much the same way as the first. Windlaw in the ascendency and looking for another goal.
However, it was Greenhills who almost brought themselves right back in the game with a brilliant long range effort from Barry Devine. The shot looked to be heading for the bottom corner with Lunny rooted to the spot. However the big goalie got down quickly and touched it round the post to deny the pacy Greenhills winger.
Windlaw grabbed a second goal on 65 minutes after Shug Neeson was crudely fouled on the touchline on Windlaw's right wing. Danny McKenna whipped a vicious effort in and Chris Kerr got the vital touch to nod it past the stand-in Dynamo keeper. There was no way back for Greenhills now.
Shug Neeson almost made it 3-0 with a quickly taken free kick which missed the goals by the narrowest of margins.
Martin Kerr freshened things up and brought on Allan Dougall and Ian Baird for David McGinlay and Wullie Thornton to see out the remainder of the game.
Windlaw should have grabbed another when a fine cross from Windlaw's right hand side fell perfectly for Benny Carey, however the big man headed it downwards and it bounced inches over the bar. Greenhills really were riding their luck.
Wullie Wilson replaced Danny McKenna late on as they protected their 2 goal lead.
Greenhills rallied late on, but never put Lunny's goal under that much pressure. The big man was a mere spectator outwith his fine save from Devine and could have got his pipe and slippers out, such was his involvement
Full-Time: Windlaw 2 Greenhills Dynamo
Verdict: Windlaw will rarely have enjoyed a more comfortable derby match and infact missed an opportunity to inflict a heavy defeat on a very ordinary Greenhills Dynamo, who look to be missing the influence of big game players Cullie, Hughes, Livingstone and Duggan. Neeson and Carey could have ensured this, but progression into the semi final is good enough, expecially at the expense of your old rivals. Windlaw march on in hope of a cup double, but face tough opposition in the semi final regardless of who they are drawn against. The psychological battle was won before Windlaw stepped over the dressing room door after hearing Greenhills considered themselves among the top 2 teams in the league. I'm sure you can guess Windlaw was not the other team on their list! Such comments only spurred the boys on and the victory reflected that determination to prove people wrong. Windlaw, as always, were dignified in victory, Greenhills accepted the defeat gracefully and wished us well for the remainder of the competition. We wish them well as we both battle it out for 2nd spot in the league.
