| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League: Division 1 | |
| 19th January 2008 Barlia Sports Complex |
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| Windlaw | 1 |
| McKenna | |
| Tynecastle | 2 |
| Paterson, McCarthy | |
Team: Lunny, A.Dougall (Baird), Sinclair, Z.Dougall, , McCaig, Carmichael, Taylor (Larkin), McKenna Stevenson (McCann), McGinlay |
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If the bookies were taking money on this game, then a 2-1 scoreline either way would have been odds on, as the last 4 games have finished with this scoreline in recent seasons. The only doubt lay with who would be the odd goal victors.
It had the makings of a classic match: Top versus third, two title contenders battling it out. Windlaw were undefeated at home, losing only once was so far in the season, to Tynecastle in the reverse fixture before Christmas. Tynecastle’s away form was excellent, with five wins from seven and tasting defeat only once.
So it was all to play for
Windlaw started well and knocked the ball around confidently, taking the game to Tynecastle. However, the visitors were looking dangerous and were only denied clear cut chances through good offside play from the Windlaw defence.
It was Windlaw who went ahead early in the first half. A well flighted cross deep into the Tynecastle box found Danny McKenna, who rose above everybody to guide a brilliant header back across the goal and into the top corner of the net.
Windlaw were buzzing and should’ve rapped the game up when prolific hitman Davie McGinlay latched onto a rare defensive mistake. The big man faced a one on one scenario with the ‘Castle keeper, but blasted his shot straight at him. The keeper made a fine save from the rebound and Danny McKenna failed to make it 2-0 after a third rebound. It was a missed chance Windlaw would find costly later in the game.
No further scoring in the first half, which Windlaw probably just shaded.
Half-time Windlaw 1 Tynecastle 0
Windlaw were up against the wind in the second half, but would have more to deal with than that as Tynecastle upped the tempo and set about winning the game to keep their league title challenge on track.
It was that desire and determination to win that got them back in the game shortly after half time. Windlaw conceded possession on the left flank in a dangerous position and ‘Castle took full advantage of that. James Jordan split the defence with a neat pass for Gary Paterson to slot past the helpless Lunny.
It was a blow to Windlaw but there was plenty of time for more goals.
It was Tynecastle who raced into the lead in rather strange circumstances. Tynecastle were awarded a free kick midway in the Windlaw half and giant stopper McCarthy stepped up and flighted a good ball into the Windlaw box. It looked like a run of the mill free kick, but it managed to bypass the defence and bounce wickedly into the top corner of the Windlaw net.
Tynecastle were buoyed by this and controlled the remainder of the match. Windlaw never really looked threatening and didn’t have the fight in them to stage a comeback.
The home side could’ve stole a late equaliser when a dangerous Larkin cross was misjudged by the Tynecastle defender, but he got away with it as McCann wasn’t expecting it and it ricocheted off him and out for a goal kick.
Nothing further of note to write about, as Tynecastle completed the double over Windlaw this season with a 2-1 double.
Full-time Windlaw 1 Tynecastle 2
Verdict – Windlaw got exactly what they deserved here – Nothing!! Tynecastle were fired up, determined, full of desire to win the game at any cost. Windlaw looked sluggish, weak and unable to put up any sort of fight. It was for those very reasons Tynecastle collected all 3 points. That is the first time in 3 seasons an opponent has defeated us twice in the league. Although, the last team to do that was Greenhills in the title winning season 2 years ago. But on the evidence today, we won’t be celebrating any league title wins. You see, to win leagues, you need heart, commitment, determination, fight, character and desire. Not one of those traits, all of them. If everyone at Windlaw is serious about winning the league, then we need to instill these qualities immediately, because when Blochairn Greenhills and Shawbridge line up against us in the coming weeks, we will need every one of them to defeat these teams. There are still 9 games to go, 9 must win cup finals if we want to be league champions. Win them all and we win the league – simple!
Over to you…………………………….
