Greater Glasgow Premier AFL
	Division 3A
	Barlia Sports Complex
	Sat 5th December 2009
	Windlaw AFC	7 - 2	Muirend
	Scorers: Johnstone(4), McKenna (2), Baird		Scorers: Potter, Gilmour
	Team: Lunny, McInally, Wilson (Z.Dougall), Carr, McCann, Baird (Taylor), McCaig (McGeachy), Simpson, Hepburn, Johnstone, McKenna		Team:
	H-T: 2-1		Referee: David Roome

Three changes for Windlaw from the side that lost to Bannockburn in the West Of Scotland Cup a fortnight earlier with goalkeeper Craig Lowe injured John Lunny managed to return from an ankle ligament injury. In midfield two changes with Eck McCaig and Ian Baird coming in to replace Liam McGeachy and Scott Robertson.

Windlaw almost took the lead in the first minute after winning possession skipper Eck McCaig tore down the right wing and his low ball into the box was met by Greg Johnstone’s right foot and his shot along the floor arced just a yard past the keeper’s right hand post. Muirend then got an unexpected gift moments later when a bad defensive mistake in possession allowed Derek Potter all the time in the world to advance on John Lunny and slot past the big keeper to give the visitors the lead. Windlaw were still dominating play though but chances were being spurned. An important moment in the game then came when Muirend’s goalkeeper had to go off injured following a collision with Greg Johnstone and one of their midfielders went in goal. Soon after Windlaw equalised when Chris Hepburn's cross to the back edge of the penalty area was cut back by McInally to Johnstone who steadied himself then struck low into the net from 15 yards. The play was still mainly in the Muirend half although Windlaw’s passing was poor at times and some wrong decisions were being made. Finally Windlaw edged in front after a free-kick from the right was only partially cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Ian Baird turned and fired a spinning right-foot shot that flew into the top right hand corner of the net for his first goal of the season. The home side were unable to add to this before the break and were still a bit exasperated at the disjointedness of their performance.        

Half Time: Windlaw AFC 2 - 1 Muirend

Windlaw made an uncertain start in the second half and Muirend’s front two of Potter and Gilmour were causing problems. It was these two who combined superbly to provide an equaliser. A threaded pass put Potter away down the right wing and as he advanced he sent a beautifully weighted pass across the penalty area that Gilmour slid and directed past John Lunny. The response was immediate though and Ian Baird flighted a fantastic ball over the top of the Muirend defence for Danny McKenna to latch onto. He smashed a superb left foot shot across and over the stand-in keeper to restore the lead and mark his sixteenth goal of the season. Muirend then had a penalty claim denied when Potter went down after McCann’s challenge but referee Roome adjudged that the defender had taken the ball. Windlaw then went into overdrive and put the game well beyond the reach of a Muirend side who visibly tired. Chris Hepburn was becoming almost unplayable on the left wing and his crossing and dribbling was a joy to watch. Danny McKenna added another to his tally and the woodwork was struck a few times with the keeper forced into saves also. Greg Johnstone added three more goals to make it four for the day. His fourth goal marked his thirtieth of the season, already an absolute fantastic return by the big striker before the Christmas break.     

Full Time: Windlaw AFC 7 - 2 Muirend

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said "A lacklustre performance at times but three points nonetheless." Next Saturday sees the side travel to the West End to take on Alba Thistle in the league.

Windlaw Star Man: A few contenders with Chris Hepburn having a great second half and the strikers again among the goals but Tam Simpson gets the nod for the drive and determination he showed when the team were going through a difficult spell in the game.

 

 

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