| Strathclyde Cup Round 2 | |
| 8th March 2008 Barlia Sports Complex |
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| Windlaw | 3 |
| McGinlay (2), D.McGregor | |
| Scotsman | 1 |
Team: Lunny, A.Dougall, McInally, Sinclair, Thornton, Wilson (Tierney), Baird, McCann, Murtagh (McKenna), McGinlay, McGregor |
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WINDLAW SEE OFF SCOTSMAN AND A MONSOON TO PROGRESS
More changes for a Windlaw side still under strength. Lunny returned after suspension to replace Borg in goal. Also returning was Ian Baird who replaced Anthony Larkin in midfield while Duncan McGregor replaced the ill Benny Carey in attack. Danny McKenna was on the bench after suspension alongside Bruce Tierney as the Windlaw squad was again stretched to the full. A freezing, driving wind and rain made the conditions atrocious throughout.
With the strong wind at their back, Windlaw settled quickly and the pattern of play was established with Scotsman camped in their own half but defending well. Windlaw were knocking the ball around well but couldn’t carve open the well drilled Scotsman defence who were coping well. Arguably Windlaw’s best chance came from an unexpected source when Wullie Thornton playing wide right broke through just inside the box and was one on one with the goalkeeper. His shot though struck the keepers legs and bounced to safety. The midfield battle was intriguing with McCann and Baird up against Hobbs and Blair and Windlaw were shading it. Despite dominating possession, Windlaw often resorted to shooting from distance and Scotsman held out for what looked like an excellent half-time advantage with the wind to be behind them in the second half.
Half Time: Windlaw 0 Scotsman 0
Scotsman were dealt an early blow by losing a player to injury when they didn’t have a substitute to replace him. Windlaw however, were passing it nicely still on the floor to their credit and were starting to create more chances against the wind. The breakthrough came on 59 minutes when goal machine David McGinlay turned home a cross with his right foot from close range for a collectors item. This gave Windlaw something to protect now although Scotsman were still well in the game. On 68 minutes, they almost equalised when a superb wind assisted 30 yard shot crashed off Lunny’s right hand post and back out. Windlaw then got what should have been a clinching goal from a break. McInally broke from defence and played in substitute McKenna on the right wing whose beautifully timed run beat the Scotsman’s offside trap. He ran through on goal and unselfishly squared for David McGinlay to side-foot home an easy finish.That should have been that but on 78 minutes, Scotsman struck back when Windlaw failed to properly clear a corner and the ball richoted from the edge of the box to a Scotsman player 10 yards out and he finished well by curling the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. This meant some nervy late moments for Windlaw who tried to continue retaining simple possession with Baird instrumental in most things. Just before the whstle, the industrious young Duncan McGregor got the goal his workrate deserved when he intercepted a tired pass out of defence and raced through to fire home for an impressive finish. The final whistle brought some much needed respite and warmth for everyone involved in braving the weather. Credit to all as the chill-blains kicked in!
Full Time: Windlaw 3 Scotsman 1
Windlaw Star Man- skipper for the day Kevin McCann was superb sitting just in front of a front three and provided them with great protection against the wind in the second half. He drove his team to victory in an inspired display.
Verdict- For the second week in a row, a good job well done by Windlaw amid absolutely horrendous conditions. Windlaw played good controlled football throughout the game and were always in control. Going a man down in the second half didn’t help Scotsman’s cause, although its doubtful whether this would have changed the ultimate outcome. We wish Scotsman well for the remainder of the season.
