Greater Glasgow Amateur Premier League
	League Division 3A
	Garscube Sports Complex
	Sat 23rd January 2010
	Glasgow University	1 - 2	Windlaw AFC
	Scorers: Robertson		Scorers: Johnstone(2)
	Team: Mackay, Fraser, Smith, Griffin, Black, MacDonald, D Campbell,M Campbell ,Robertson, Scouler, Twist		Team: Lunny, McInally, Wilson, McCann (Z.Dougall), Simpson (Granger), McCaig, Taylor (McGeachy), Carr, Hepburn, Johnstone, McKenna
	H-T: 1-1		Referee: Tony Crilley

Two changes from the Windlaw side that lined up against Glasgow University in Castlemilk in December in the game abandoned by snow with Tam Simpson replacing Calum Granger in midfield and Danny McKenna returning upfront which meant that Kevin McCann reverted back to central defence and Zanda Dougall going on the subs bench. The pitch was a decent size and was in reasonable nick considering the weather of the past month although it was soft underfoot and would cut up.

A fairly even start to the game with some touches and passing slightly off among the players, not surprising given a five week lay off. Both teams were matching up well though and a close game always looked on the cards. Windlaw took the lead in the fifteenth minute though cashing in on slack play in the home defence. As the Uni defence dithered in the left back area, Danny McKenna worked hard to shut down their space and an attempted passback to Mackay was seized upon by Greg Johnstone whose first attempt was partially blocked by the keeper but he was first to the loose ball and composed himselft to stroke it into the unguarded goal from a fairly tight angle. This settled Windlaw and they now looked the better side and more likely to score again. Chris Hepburn fired a number of very tempting corners into the Uni’s penalty area that Windlaw should definitely have done better with. The Uni though with a tall talented front pairing of Robertson and Scouler could always be a threat and Windlaw’s defence had to be wary of them. The equaliser came somewhat unexpectedly on 32 minutes. A high free-kick played just inside the Windlaw penalty area tempted John Lunny to rush from his line to attempt to punch clear but the ground he had to make always looked too much and with his own defence scattering to allow him to get there, he arrived too late and Mark Robertson’s back header landed inches under the bar and in to level the game. This visibly rattled Windlaw who then looked nervous and tetchy and were the more relieved side to see out the period until half-time.  

Half Time: Glasgow University 1 - 1 Windlaw AFC

The home side started the second half well and pinned Windlaw back a bit. From a cross from their right into the Windlaw box, Reece Twist found a yard of room at the edge of the box and his first time right-footed shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped over the bar from Lunny to help restore the keeper’s confidence. Windlaw then made changes with Calum Granger coming on for Tam Simpson and Liam McGeachy on for Thomas Taylor as the pitch got heavier and conditions slightly worse. The Uni still looked the more likely side though for a while as Windlaw battled to stay in the game. Chris Carr had to hook a netbound header off the line from a corner. Windlaw were also perhaps aggreived when a Greg Johnstone strike was ruled out for offside after Chris Hepburn supplied the ammunition. Robertson’s pace then got him clear of the Windlaw defence as he bore in on goal but John Lunny came out and did superbly to push him wide to the touchline and the chance was lost. Windlaw for all their struggles in the second half  always still presented a threat and you felt they had more more good scoring opportunity in them. It came on 76 minutes after Danny McKenna neatly stepped inside a Uni defender twenty five yards out and slipped in Greg Johnstone as the home defence wrongly looked for offside. The big striker didn’t break stride though and his thirty-second goal of the season was dispatched low past Mackay. The Uni desperately searched for an equaliser. The nearest they came was with a late penalty appeal when Scouler ran through on John Lunny but the keeper came out and dived and took plenty of the ball as the striker went down and the danger was cleared. Ref Tony Crilley correctly called that one and he should take immense credit for managing to complete the game after he damaged his ankle ligaments mid-way through the second half after catching it badly in the soft turf.    

Full Time: Glasgow University 1 - 2 Windlaw AFC

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said "After a long lay off a good hard working team effort to get us the win." Next Saturday sees the side host Muirend at Barlia Sports Complex, kick-off 2pm.

Windlaw Star Man: A few contenders with Chris Carr, Wullie Wilson and Chris Hepburn all making excellent contributions but the award has to go to Greg Johnstone for his two goals and his general overall performance and attitude..

Fixtures & Results