Greater Glasgow Amateur Premier League
	League Division 3A
	Overlea Pitches, Clarkston
	Saturday 27th March 2010
	Busby	1 - 2	Windlaw
			Scorers: Johnstone, McGeachy
	Team: Moy, McDonagh, Donnelly, Peebles, T Divers, Green, McAllistair, Peacock, Johnson, D Divers, Bendoris		Team: Lunny, Thomas, Carr (Z.Dougall), Kerr, Wilson, Granger (Baird), Simpson, Hepburn, McGeachy, Johnstone, McKenna
			H-T: 0-0
			Referee: Martin Keegan

Only one change from last week’s heavy and demoralising home defeat to Glasgow University as midfielder Eck McCaig had flu and was replaced by Calum Granger. Windlaw started the day four points behind the league leaders with three games in hand and knew nothing other than a win would suffice against a Busby side packed with experience with three ex-professionals in Danny Divers, Sammy Johnson and Gary Peebles and who had ex-junior goalkeeper Danny Moy in goal who has also represented the Scottish Amateur League select side this season. This was to be a tough contest on a cold windy pitch and on a surface that wasn’t in the best condition with some bare patches on it. Some good news before the game was the appearance of Chris Kerr who was walking unaided after it was feared he had broken his ankle in the Glasgow Uni clash. It would appear that he has escaped with ligament damage and should make a full recovery given time.

Windlaw almost went ahead inside two minutes after Danny McKenna played in Greg Johnstone to run through on Moy but the veteran keeper smothered his shot and this save was to set the tone for the day. Busby had the benefit of a fairly strong wind at their back but Windlaw’s central defensive pairing of Joe Kerr and Wullie Wilson were coping well and moping most things up. In midfield, Tam Simpson and Danny Divers were enjoying a good old fashioned battle to try and boss the game with Simpson having to counter Diver’s considerable experience on a few occasions. In the main though, Windlaw dominated and chances continued to be missed. Danny McKenna smashed the inside of the post after a nice turn and a Greg Johnstone free-kick went just over. Chris Hepburn had a menacing look about him on the left wing and as usual he put some threatening balls in. Busby were a tall strong side though and former St Mirren star Gary Peebles displayed some lovely touches at times to hold their defence strong. Danny Divers had Busby’s best effort but John Lunny touched his header from a free-kick onto the bar. A very frustrating first half ended without a goal and despite playing some good football in patches, Windlaw had nothing to show for it. 

Half Time: Busby 0 - 0 Windlaw

The second half began in the same vein with Windlaw dominating and the wind now behind them. John Lunny’s kicks were travelling deep into Busby territory. Skipper Greg Johnstone in particular had a frustrating time against goalkeeper Moy who kept denying him time and again as the pressure kept building. Chris Hepburn then fizzed an effort a yard past the post from just inside the box. The breakthrough finally came on 68 minutes and substitute Zanda Dougall started the move with a calm pass inside before the ball was played in for Greg Johnstone who turned and fired a shot that took a deflection and looped up and over Moy’s dive and into the net. You could sense the relief and almost immediately a second goal was added after Danny McKenna skipped clear in the box and he hammered a cross that Liam McGeachy nodded in from point blank range. At that point Windlaw seemed home and dry but an innocous looking long ball into Windlaw’s area saw John Lunny rush from his line to collect but he spilled the attempted pick-up and the ball fell nicely for Sammy Johnson who calmly lobbed it into the unguarded net. This did cause some late panic but Busby never really put a siege on the Windlaw goal and a third looked just as likely to come as an equaliser. The visitors were relieved though to hear referee Keegan’s final whistle to make the short trip home an enjoyable one.  

Full Time: Busby 1 - 2 Windlaw

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said "It was not our best game but we had some good passing at times. Right now, it’s the three points that count." The win takes Windlaw to within a point of leaders Glasgow University who lost at home to Muirend on Saturday and with no games at Easter, the team have a chance to go top when they take on Calderglen at Barlia on Saturday April 10,kick-off 2pm.

Windlaw Star Man: Liam McGeachy was probably best and had a fine second half topped with a goal. His return to form is timely as we approach the business end of the season..

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