| Greater Glasgow Premier AFL: Division 3 | |
| 19th January 2008 St Margaret Mary's School |
|
| Windlaw | 4 |
| Murtagh, McCaig, McCann, Carey(pen) | |
| Busby | 5 |
| Team: Lunny, Stuart (Tierney), McCann, Thornton, Larkin, Logue, McCaig, Wilson, Murtagh, Carey, Paton | |
| Referee: Robert Cruickshank | |
BATTLING WINDLAW LOSE NINE GOAL THRILLER
Windlaw’s first competitive game of 2008 saw them line up 4-4-2 with Kevin McCann deputising for the injured McInally in central defence beside Craig Logue who had returned from injury with Stuart moving to right back. Barry Murtagh also returned from a shoulder injury to replace AWOL striker Scott Williamson up top with Benny Carey. Eck McCaig had come through the morning game to start in central midfield. The pitch was soft but very playable despite the weather, however the wind was to affect the game slightly.
Windlaw looked hungry from the off and crunched through tackles while Busby tried to pass it more at times which seemed a riskier ploy. On 16 minutes, Windlaw went ahead when Barry Murtagh’s shot from 19 yards squirmed through Busby keeper Elliot’s hands for what was a soft but deserved lead. Windlaw then looked in command and only Elliot’s stunning close range save from Carey’s header kept the score at 1-0 until the roof caved in on 31 minutes. The first Busby goal came after Carey was clearly fouled on the half-way line, however referee Innes waved play on and Busby slipped a pass through Windlaw’s defence for the forward to score with an angled drive past Lunny. An almost carbon-copy goal followed two minutes later for Busby and two minutes later, Lunny’s attempt to blast the ball upfield from a pass-back ricocheted off the Busby forward who had charged the ball down before spinning agonisingly into the Windlaw net. For the umpteenth time this season, one concession had lead to three in double quick time and Windlaw were left with a mountain to climb. They quickly regained their composure though and minutes from half-time, Eck McCaig’s fine run down the inside left channel saw him bore in on goal and his attempted cutback to Murtagh was deflected into Busby’s net to give Windlaw hope for the second-half with the wind behind them.
On 49 minutes, Windlaw got a deserved equaliser after a Busby defender clearly hand-balled a rather innocous looking ball in the box with no-one that close to him. Skipper Benny Carey stepped up and put the keeper the wrong way to notch his eleventh goal of the season. At 3-3 it was all Windlaw but on 68 minutes Busby again broke away to take the lead once more. Windlaw piled the pressure on and keeper Elliot had an amazing double save, first from McCaig’s drive then he somehow saved substitute Duncan McGregor’s close range follow-up while on the ground. Windlaw’s perseverance finally paid off with the equaliser on 78 minutes, when Kevin McCann powerfully headed home a Wullie Wilson corner. There now looked to be only one winner and Windlaw were denied a penalty after McGregor was upended as he bore in on goal. Amazingly referee Innes waved away the appeal and minutes later he was again at the centre of controversy as Busby got the fifth and decisive goal which looked to be at least a yard offside. Windlaw contined to battle for an equaliser and keeper Elliott had to save opposite number Lunny’s 40 yard free-kick at the second attempt in the last minute as Busby held on for the three points.
Windlaw Star Man- two big contenders this week. Eck McCaig playing his second game of the day was absolutely immense in central midfield and led by example all day, however the award goes just to Barry Murtagh who put in a tireless shift upfront, scored a goal and made chances for others with his workrate.
Verdict-A travesty of a result for a Windlaw side who put absolutely everything into the game. They truly deserved something and could play worse and win. However, conceding clusters of goals is not a recipe for victories and the team are giving themselves too much to do to get back into games. Full credit to a resolute Busby side who battled very well and both teams emerge with a lot of credit for putting on such an entertaining game in such poor weather conditions.
