| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League: Division 1 | |
| 12th April 2008 Peterson Park Playing Fields |
|
| Clydebank Thistle | 1 |
| Windlaw | 2 |
| McKenna, McCann | |
Team: Borg, McInally, Z.Dougall, Sinclair, A.Dougall, McKenna, McCaig, Baird (Larkin), McCann, McGinlay (Carey), D.McGregor (Thornton) |
|
Windlaw faced up to Division 1 strugglers Clydebank Thistle who were desperate for points to avoid the drop. Windlaw were looking to claim another 3 points and finish as high up the table as possible and put a good performance in before the forthcoming cup run.
It was a lethargic start from Windlaw who were struggling to put some passing together and break down a resolute Thistle defence. The play was sloppy and the defence were forced to defend desperately at times as Windlaw were ragged.
Windlaw took the lead though when Danny McKenna pinged a dipping free kick over the wall and into the net, with the aid of a slick surface. The lead was short lived though as poor Windlaw defending allowed Clydebank in behind to prod past Borg and level the game. That spurred Windlaw on briefly and Danny McKenna almost grabbed a sensational second when a stunning long range shot dipped and swerved only to coming crashing off the face of the bar.
Half-time Clydebank Thistle 1 Windlaw 1
Windlaw looked more determined in the second half, although some more than others. Allan Dougall deservedly picked up a silly booking for dissent and was walking a tightrope with hapless referee Kelso who, it was fair to say, was having an absolute howler of a game. Worse was to follow for Dougall when he was adjudged to have tackled the Clydebank player in a fashion which merited a second yellow card, despite him winning the ball and making absolutely no contact with the opposition player. It was infact the Thistle player who collided with Dougall after the ball had moved on. Referee Kelso was adamant though and Dougall was ridiculously sent off.
It turned out to be to Windlaw's benefit though, as the sense of injustice spurred 10 man Windlaw on to dig deep and claw out a deserved 2-1 win. Windlaw stayed with 2 up front and 4 in midfield, with Kevin McCann the key man holding everything together. It was infact the brilliant McCann who nodded Windlaw infront after a neat cross from McCaig. It turned out to be the decisive goal in a drab encounter, memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Windlaw finished the game with 9 men when Colin Sinclair went off for treatment for a burst eye but by the time he was bandaged up, Terry Butcher style, the game was over
Full-time Clydebank Thistle 1 Windlaw 2
Verdict: A poor Windlaw performance by recent standards, but 3 points were still secured. Windlaw's battling qualities came to the fore when Dougall was ordered off and the boys dug deep to get the win. The performance has to be much better in the forthcoming cup games though if Windlaw are serious about winning the Strathclyde Cup.
MOTM – Kevin McCann - He was simply immense and stood out amongst his teamates. He held the team together defensively when we went down to 10 men and scored the crucial winning goal. Excellent performance.
