| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League: Division 1 | |
| 22nd September 2007 Barlia Sports Complex |
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| Windlaw | 5 |
| McGinlay(2), Carey (2), McKenna | |
| Hogganfield Thistle | 1 |
| Team: Lunny, McInally, McCann, Thornton (Carmichael), A.Dougall (Bonner), Baird, McKenna, McGinlay, McCaig, Sinclair, Taylor(Carey) | |
Windlaw Hammer Hogganfield Thanks To Late Supersub
Windlaw almost committed suicide twice in the opening seconds after both Sinclair and McInally made horrendous mistakes, getting caught in possession with Hogganfield missing glaring chances on both occasions. This seemed to set the tone for a nervy, error strewn Windlaw performance. The game took another twist in 4 minutes after Windlaw striker McGinley bore in on goal towards the box but as he touched the ball past the onrushing Hogganfield keeper, he handled, leaving referee Bilsland no option other than to produce a red card. Hogganfield made a change but bravely stayed 3-4-2 sensing joy out of a woeful looking Windlaw defence. On 15 minutes, Windlaw went in front when McKenna collected at the edge of the box and from 18 yards, he curled a beautiful shot past the stand-in keeper into his top right hand corner. On 25 minutes, 10 man Hogganfield finally got a deserved equaliser. McInally fouled McCartney at the edge of box as the tall striker was tormenting the Windlaw defence. The resultant free-kick from an acute angle beat skipper Lunny low at his left hand post and landed a yard over the line. Windlaw blundered and blustered their way through the remainder of the half without gaining any advantage over the 10 men.
Half -time: Windlaw 1 Hogganfield Thistle 1
Windlaw continued to struggle after the break but they did create chance after chance, McGinley, McCaig and McKenna all spurned good opportunities while at the other end, Hogganfield’s lively two forwards continued to threaten constantly and Lunny baled Windlaw out on a few occasions with smart saves. On 65 minutes, Benny Carey came on to turn the game Windlaw’s way. Within 5 minutes, he pounced on a good cross to side-foot home. On 77 minutes, he then turned provider and set up McGinley for a simple close range finish. McGinley got his second and Windlaw’s fourth minutes later when he converted a Carey cross with a rare headed finish. With minutes remaining, Carey got his second when he poked home from close range after an excellent cross-field ball exposed Hogganfield’s by now bedraggled defence. In the last seconds, Carey nearly got a deserved hat-trick but his header landed just wide.
Full Time: Windlaw 5 Hogganfield Thistle 1
Summing Up- A very strange game indeed. Windlaw looked unbelievably nervy and full of errors when defending. The sending off seemed to spur Hogganfield on and the scoreline clearly flattered Windlaw. On the other hand Windlaw could easily have scored double figures and something like a 10-5 scoreline may not have been unjust!. For the home side prior to next week’s Scottish Cup tie, it was a performance that maybe throws up more questions than answers and serious questions will undoubtedly be asked by Oban Saints next week.
MOTM - Benny Carey- amazing really, considering the big striker only came on after 65 minutes but scoring two and creating two to help a struggling Windlaw capped an amazing contribution by a man currently on fire. His form this season so far has been unbelievable.
