| Greater Glasgow Premier AFL: Division 3 | |
| 15th December 2007 Brancumhall Playing Fields |
|
| EK Rolls Royce | 1 |
| Windlaw | 3 |
| Larkin, McGinlay, Williamson | |
| Team: Lunny, Sinclair, McCann, McInally, Larkin, Baird, McCaig, Wilson, Williamson, Carey, McGinlay | |
| Referee: Robert Cruickshank | |
WINDLAW SMASH LEAGUE LEADERS UNBEATEN RECORD
Windlaw lined up in an attacking 3-4-3 formation with Sinclair, McCann and McInally forming the backline. Eck McCaig and Ian Baird were in the engine room and Davie McGinlay beefed up the forward line beside Carey and Williamson on a bitterly cold but dry afternoon.
A very determined looking Windlaw side sprang out of the traps to their hosts and immediately took the game to them. Inside the first two minutes, Davie McGinlay forced the EK keeper into a fine save from 20 yards out. This was to set the tone as EK looked unable to cope with Windlaw’s formation and hunger. Eck McCaig and Ian Baird were completely dominating the midfield area and Benny Carey was operating just off the front in a position that proved difficult for him to be marked. In 18 minutes, Windlaw took a deserved lead when a good move down the right resulted in Carey playing in Anthony Larkin and he made no mistake from close range slammimg home low past the keeper. John Lunny was a virtual spectator and EK’s long throws were coming to nothing as Windlaw defended strongly together. It was no surprise when the lead was doubled after 32 minutes. Ian Baird’s forceful run from midfield found Carey again who played in Davie McGinlay and the lethal hitman again finished well from 12 yards. It was a good advantage played by referee Cruickshank as Baird’s run had resulted in a slight altercation after a late challenge on him but McGinlay kept his wits about him while the league leaders had clearly started to lose theirs. Windlaw again seen out the half comfortably for a commanding and deserved lead.
The next goal was always going to be vital and EK were slightly better in the second half without seriously troubling John Lunny too much. Colin Sinclair and Kevin McCann were defending superbly and were well backed up by a hard-working midfield. EK almost got a lifeline in 60 mins when, for the first time in the match, McCann was turned superbly by the big EK forward. He was faced with a one on one situation with Lunny, and just as he was about to pull the trigger and bring EK back into the game, Colin Sinclair arrived from nowhere to put in the most amazing slide tackle and clear the danger. That tackle was as important as any of the 3 goals, it was absolutely top class. On 66 minutes, Windlaw got the decisive goal that ensured the points were heading home on a Number 31 bus. Carey for the third time got yet another assist as he put Scott Williamson in on goal and he beat the goalkeeper to the ball at the edge of the box and prodded his shot past him and the ball rolled into the net. 3-0 game over. The hosts never gave up though as you would expect and 8 minutes from time,they got a consolation goal after a highly controversial penalty award against Eck McCaig for handball. Even at that, John Lunny’s excellent effort almost kept out the well-struck shot before it went in just inside the post. Windlaw held firm though for the remaining minutes and almost added a fourth when a header was cleared off the line.
Windlaw Star Man- there can be only one winner this week and that goes to the team. They showed that unity is strength and there was so many outstanding displays to pick from that it would be unfair to highlight any one above another.
Verdict- This was probably the first time that Windlaw showed the league what they’re all about as a club. Windlaw had the best performers all over the pitch and individual battles were won everywhere. In this type of mood, Windlaw would have took some stopping and the league leaders were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time in front of a wounded team. To defeat an unbeaten side so comprehensively and a side that recently beat Templeton Albert (the Division 1 champions) 3-0 was an excellent achievement for this Windlaw side. Undoubtedly, our best moment so far in this league by a distance.
