Match Report

Windlaw Make History In Championship Title Race

Windlaw created history of their own in this match when, for the first time ever, we took all 3 points in an away match to Cavendish to maintain our league championship challenge. It was vital that we did claim all 3 points from the match, but history was against us going into this fixture, so it was a big ask from the players.

The starting eleven was shuffled slightly, with John McCabe coming in for the otherwise engaged Wullie Thornton. Steph McCann and Scott Williamson joined the squad again and accompanied Zanda Dougall on the bench.

The conditions were far from ideal for football with blustery winds and heavy rain, so it was going to be a case of getting the sleeves rolled up and getting stuck in from the start.

In the early part of the game there was some meaty tackles flying in from Cavendish, obviously intent on bullying us out of the match, but every Windlaw player stood firm and were more than a match for their counterparts. Windlaw took control of the game from very early on in the match and always looked threatening on the break. Considering the playing conditions, Windlaw played some excellent football and sliced open the Cavendish backline on a few occasions, but didnt manage to make the most of their chances.

Big Benny and Wee Eck were causing all sorts of hassle in the Cavendish area, and it was wee Eck who almost opened the scoring midway through the first half. A delightful cutback from the byeline saw Eck smash a shot on target, only for a defender to head it off the line. Windlaw were stepping up the pressure and you sensed it was only a matter of time before the goal came.

However, things could have went wrong for Windlaw when Gary Wilson aggravated an old hamstring injury and hobbled off to be replaced with Zanda. The big man put in a fine performance when he came on, and must surely be in contention for a starting place on Saturday.

Windlaw did eventually make the break through in spectacular fashion. A long ball was flicked on by Wee Eck, who managed to outjump the significantly taller defender, into the path of Benedict Carey. Now with the big man having his back to goal and the ball heading slightly away from the goal, it didnt look like their was much on for him, however he spun, just like he did in the Lochend match a few weeks prior, and bulleted an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net, leaving the keeper stranded. Another definite goal of the season contender !! It was a well deserved lead, but one that didnt last for long.

A free kick was placed deep into the Windlaw box, but nobody dealt with it, leaving an easy tap-in for their striker after a neat cutback. Game on !!

Half Time score 1 - 1

Windlaw regrouped at half time and came out more determined than ever to get the win they needed. The team started off the same way as the first half, applying pressure and probing for a goal.

The 2nd goal did come courtesy of the best piece of football throughout the game. A series of short passes between Shug, John and Wullie dragged out a Cavendish defender, making space for wee Eck to receive a pass. The wee man had his back to goal and a defender right on top of him, but Eck sold the defender a dummy and went one way as the defender went the other. He drove at the heart of the Cavendish defence and after Kevin McCann's intelligent run dragged another defender out of position, wee Eck found Benedict Carey who was in acres of space. The big man took a touch and fired it low under the onrushing keeper to put Windlaw ahead again. Again, another contender for goal of the season, simply brilliant football topped off with a cool finish from the veteran.

However, Windlaw shot themselves in the foot again, and conceded a 2nd goal, but there was a huge slice of misfortune involved. The Cavendish midfielder ran at the Windlaw defence, skipping past the attempted WIndlaw tackles, and fired what seemed like a fairly tame shot at goal, one you would expect Lunny to save with his eyes shut. But the ball took a wicked deflection and wrong footed the big goalie and spun into the net. It was very harsh on Windlaw as they had most of the possession and chances, but thats football sometimes.

Windlaw were determined not to leave with any less than 3 points, so they picked themselves up and tried for a 3rd goal, which did come, not surprisingly, from hitman Scott Williamson. He replaced Eck McCaig after the wee man had a sickening clash of heads which left him with a burst eye, however in all fairness it did improve his looks a helluva lot !!

Scott beat the offside trap and raced towards goal, and was faced with a one on one with the goalkeeper. He held his nerve and cooly nutmegged the keeper to send Windlaw ahead once again.

Windlaw went 4-2 up when Wullie Wilson scored from close range, and to be honest we could have had more. But we did have to deal with a late Cavendish onslaught which saw them hit the crossbar twice in succession. Big Lunny had a few vital saves to make. tipping over the bar and round the post, but the best save of all was came from a nonchalant sweep of Lunny's left boot to clear a Cavendish shot. Calmness personified from the big goalie

Windlaw held out for a well deserved victory despite the late pressure to keep the championship challenge on track. It was our best performance for a while and the football played was excellent in spells. We must take this form into the cup final against Vale Utd

Man of the Match: Very very close call in this game after many excellent performances, but Benedict Carey showed all his years of experience and just shades it with a fine double and brilliant performance.