| Greater Glasgow Premier AFL: Division 3 | |
| 26th April 2008 St Margaret Mary's School |
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| Windlaw | 2 |
| Wilson, Carey | |
| Third Lanark | 2 |
| Team: Lunny, McCann (Thornton), Tierney, McInally, Sinclair, McCaig (Stuart), A.Dougall, Black, Wilson, D.McGregor (McKenna), Carey | |
| Referee: Frank Watson | |
LATE PENALTY CONTROVERSY DENIES WINDLAW AGAIN
Windlaw had personnel problems and such was the player shortage that John Lunny, Colin Sinclair, Kevin McCann, Allan Dougall, Eck McCaig and Duncan McGregor all had to start the game despite starting the morning game. Full credit to these players for showing such high commitment. The morning rain had cleared and the pitch was looking as good as it had done for large periods of the season.
The visitors looked sharp from the off and their youngsters were up for the battle. Perhaps understandably, Windlaw looked weary, with some players starting their 5th game in 8 days. Duncan McGregor missed a fine chance when he blasted over when clean through. It came as no surprise when Thirds went ahead but the manner of Windlaw’s concession was diabolical. A corner from Thirds left flank was poorly hit into the Windlaw box. No Windlaw player attacked the ball and after a poor belated attempt to clear, the ball broke kindly for a Thirds player to stab home past Lunny from only 7 yards out. The lead was short-lived though when Windlaw were awarded a penalty after Kevin McCann was pulled down inside the penalty area. Wullie Wilson made a fine job of despatching the kick to score for his third game in succession. The game swung again towards the visitors when they took the lead from another corner kick. This time the ball was played to an unmarked Thirds player just outside the box and with no Windlaw defenders going to press the ball,he thumped home a fine low shot that left Lunny helpless. Thirds were on top now and had two other near things. Firstly, an amazing solo run that left four Windlaw players trailing resulted in the player hitting the side-netting after he rounded Lunny. Lunny then produced a miraculous save from a 25 yard shot that was dipping and swerving into the top corner of his net. Windlaw were glad to hear the whistle and re-group.
Half Time: Windlaw 1 Third Lanark Athletic 2
Most of the second-half play was based in Thirds half with the sporadic attacks still looking dangerous though. Benny Carey was beginning to cause Thirds problems with his aerial ability as Windlaw tried to find the elusive breakthrough. With 20 minutes remaining, Danny McKenna replaced Duncan McGregor to try to unlock the visitors defence. It took until the 86th minute before Windlaw struck and a long throw was only parried by the Thirds keeper to Danny McKenna who re-directed it back and from 8 yards out, Benny Carey rose powerfully and headed into the top left hand corner of the net with the keeper trying to make his ground up. There was till time for a winner though and after good play down the left flank, Kevin Black squared a ball across the penalty area for Danny McKenna who was set to convert it. He was barged in the back by a Thirds defender who hacked it for a corner. A stonewall penalty if you ever seen it. Not with Windlaw’s recent luck as ref Watson ducked out of making the big decision. From the resultant corner, McInally headed just over from close range and the spoils were shared.
Full Time: Windlaw 2 Third Lanark Athletic 2
Windlaw Star Man- John Lunny- made a stunning first half save from a 25 yard shot and blocked 2 or 3 other efforts from close range. The big keeper was playing his 50th competitive game for the club this season and has shown a great commitment to the cause.
Verdict- A game of two periods of dominance. Thirds were undoubtedly quicker and hungrier in the first half and could have been further ahead, while Windlaw dominated the second half. The referee’s decision not to award a penalty in the last minute was inexplicable and continues the trend of highly controversial decisions not going our way.
