| Greater Glasgow Premier AFL: Division 3 | |
| 19th February 2008 Woodfarm Complex, Giffnock |
|
| Crosslands | 1 |
| Windlaw | 4 |
| Black(2), McGinlay, OG | |
| Team: Lunny, McInally (Stuart), Black (Tierney), Thornton, Sinclair, Wilson, Paton, Baird , Murtagh (D.McGregor), Larkin, McGinlay | |
Windlaw made four changes from Saturday. Kevin McCann and Benny Carey were working and Colin Sinclair and David McGinlay replaced them. Eck McCaig was also unavailable and Bruce Tierney’s late arrival meant he had to start on the bench as opposed to starting. Ian Baird replaced Eck McCaig and Kevin Black took up the left wing back position for his first Windlaw start since joining from Tynecastle. Windlaw showed their flexibility by reverting to a 3-5-2 formation to adjust to the huge and impressive surface on a freezing cold night in Glasgow’s south side.
Windlaw started superbly and within minutes McGinlay had an excellent headed goal ruled out for offside from a Black cross. Black was causing Crosslands problems down the left wing and on 10 minutes he got his first Windlaw goal when he scored from 12 yards after a cross caused mayhem in the Crosslands box. This ignited Windlaw who were now zipping the ball around with confidence. The second goal on 15 minutes came after a breathtaking, flowing move involving Baird and Paton, set McGinlay up and he calmly rounded the keeper and scored his 18th goal for the club in all competitions this season. Murtagh and McGinlay were linking very well in their first outing as a strike partnership. Kevin Black got his second and Windlaw’s third from close range in 23 minutes and on 28 minutes the tie was put beyond doubt when Barry Murtagh’s corner from the left caused confusion and was finally touched home by a Crosslands defender. Crosslands never gave up and threatened sporadically with Lunny having one excellent save low down at his left hand post, however Windlaw also looked capable of scoring almost at will as they took their foot off the gas slightly.
Half Time: Crosslands 0 - 4 Windlaw
Young Duncan McGregor replaced Barry Murtagh at the break and Windlaw’s promising youngster again showed up very well. The pace slackened in the second half allowing Crosslands to come more into the game and trouble Windlaw’s midfield more. Both keepers made good stops at times as the game petered out although a few poor Crosslands challenges prompted bookings for dissent for Stevie Paton and David McGinlay. Windlaw also replaced McInally and Black with Stuart and Tierney. The chance to gain our first clean sheet of the season was lost though on 80 minutes after Crosslands scored after slack defending. More concerningly, Lunny injured his finger trying to save the shot and this will be monitored. Windlaw had two late penalty claims turned down that were of the very awardable variety.
Full Time: Crosslands 1- 4 Windlaw
Windlaw Star Man- Kevin Black just shades the award for an excellent first half in particular and two good goals. He will certainly add something tangible to the squad. Other noteable good performances came from Lunny, Sinclair, Thornton and Baird.
Verdict-A reasonably comfortable night for Windlaw which was set up by an excellent opening half hour during which the game was won. Although the second half slackness was understandable, the team has to learn to be more ruthless on these occasions. Three bookings for dissent was also disappointing.
