Greater Glasgow Amateur Premier League
	League Division 3A
	Huntly Park Playing Fields, Giffnock
	Sat 24th April 2010
	Alba Thistle	0 - 4	Windlaw AFC
	Scorers:		Scorers: Johnstone (3), Docherty
	Team: Landel, Sutherland, Wright, Esler, Robertson, Hillier, Rae, Stephenson,  Wright, Kerr, Boyle		Team: Lunny, Granger, Carr (Docherty), Thomas, McCann, Simpson, Hepburn, McCaig (Kerr), Johnstone, McGeachy, Baird (Taylor)
	H-T: 0-2		Referee: Frank McLachlan

The venue for this vital fixture changed only hours before the game with the tie originally scheduled for Woodfarm Park. Instead it was switched only a mile or so away to Huntly Park with the pitch very dry and fiery and uneven despite being a decent size. It would prove difficult to play passes on. Windlaw made two enforced changes due to injury as Joe Kerr’s operation on his left arm ruled him out and Calum Granger replaced him in central defence. New boy Stephen Docherty had also sustained a hand injury and he could only take a place on the bench. This meant a reshuffle with Ian Baird coming into midfield and Tam Simpson moving to central defence with Granger. Kevin McCann then moved from central defence to join up with Greg Johnstone in attack as Danny McKenna started the first of his two game ban. Two very welcome sights on the bench though were Thomas Taylor who has been out for a while and Chris Kerr who amazingly returned after sustaining what looked like a career threatening injury only five weeks ago. Alba Thistle were unrecognisable from the team we faced in December and of their starting eleven that day only Jamie Wright and Graeme Hillier remained.

The game started poorly with the pitch contributing to a lot of mistakes and the ball was bobbling about constantly on the rutted surface. Windlaw had a few nervy moments at the back as the new back four settled in but Alba’s shooting was wayward and Lunny never seriously threatened although their front two were lively. Alba’s game plan seemed to be to get in Windlaw’s faces with some cute tackling at times after the ball was away and out of the referee’s sight. Chris Carr fell badly on his ankle as he challenged for a ball on the touchline in Alba’s half and couldn’t continue despite treatment. This meant that Stephen Docherty who wasn’t fit enough to start had to go on upfront with Kevin McCann reverting to left-back after looking promising in attack. Windlaw then took the lead and it was John Lunny who got the assist as his long goal-kick flew into Alba’s half with their static defence seemingly looking for offside when the rules meant otherwise leaving Greg Johnstone free to run in on goal and smash a shot that Landel got a touch on but couldn’t keep out. Nine minutes from the break the big striker doubled the lead with his forty-third goal of the season as he latched onto another long ball over the top of the Alba defence and he held off the defender’s challenge to lob over the onrushing keeper into the net. This ensured a comfortable lead at the break.

Half Time: Alba Thistle 0 - 2 Windlaw AFC

Windlaw had a shaky start to the second half and this was compounded when Tam Simpson received a red card for reacting badly to an incident involving an Alba player and Ian Baird and ref McLachlan had no choice than to dismiss him. This left the game in the melting pot somewhat with the next goal now vital. Windlaw worked hard though to make up for the imbalance and the players worked well to keep Alba out. Despite looking threatening though, John Lunny never had a serious save to make in what was becoming a towsy affair at times. Eck McCaig took a knock and Chris Kerr replaced him to complete his miraculous comeback. Stephen Docherty then made the game safe when the Alba defence again failed to react to a long ball and as he bore in on Landel he coolly rounded him and stroked home his second goal on his second Windlaw appearance. This relieved all the pressure and skipper Greg Johnstone capped off the day by completing his hat-trick. He did well by chasing a ball into the corner which he laid off to Chris Hepburn. He then took a return pass from Hepburn inside the box before holding off a defender then spinning and crashing a shot past the despairing Landel for an excellent goal. This put the seal on a vital and hard fought three points.

Full Time: Alba Thistle 0 - 4 Windlaw AFC

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said " It was a good win on a very uneven park especially being down to ten men for so long. The players put in a good shift." The win takes Windlaw to just a point behind leaders Glasgow University with three games in hand with the Uni due to visit Barlia in their final league game next Saturday. The match could be a tremendous battle and the destination of the league title could hinge on it if Windlaw win the game. Kick off is at 2pm.

Windlaw Star Man: Good performances from a number of players,Craig Thomas did well in defence as did Kevin McCann and the wide players McGeachy and Hepburn worked hard alongside Ian Baird but Greg Johnstone takes the award with his seventh hat-trick of the season. The big striker led the line superbly and had three very good finishes.

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