| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 28th January 2006 Glasgow Green Sports Complex |
|
| Scotsman Bar | 0 |
| Windlaw | 3 |
| McCaig,K.McCann,Carmichael | |
Star Man: Shug Neeson of whom Manager Gary Wilson said "Having Shug back in the squad is like having three new players as he can play so many different roles." Noteable mentions also went to Eck McCaig and Colin Carmichael.
Action Details
A depleted Windlaw squad of only 14 arrived in Bridgeton for this vital league match as injuries, suspensions and work commitments cut the squad to the bare bones. Paul McInally returned to replace the injured Zanda Dougall and Shug Neeson replaced the suspended Wullie Thornton in the only changes to last week's starting eleven. Scotsman also looked struggling and had no substitutes available at all.
Windlaw started quite brightly and had most of the possession in Scotsman's half as the home side never created a first half chance at all. Scotsman's keeper had a fine early save as he blocked John McCabe's fine downward header and the ball was scrambled clear. Colin Carmichael then came close, fizzing an 18 yard shot just past the junction of the keeper's upright. Windlaw were struggling to make their supremacy count and had to wait until the half hour mark when Eck McCaig notched his 10 th goal of an excellent season. The ball was played up to Kevin McCann at the edge of the box and his intelligent back-heeled flick into McCaig's path was superbly slotted past the onrushing goalkeeper with one swipe of McCaig's left foot. Windlaw created some more half chances but couldn't get a killer second goal before half-time. As Colin Sinclair pointed out then "The game wasn't won yet, but it was there to be lost"
Half Time: Scotsman Bar 0 Windlaw 1
Scotsman looked much brighter after the break as Windlaw struggled to find any 
real rhythm. Scotsman then enjoyed their best spell of the game as Lunny had to tip over an effort from inside the penalty box then he produced what turned out to be the match-turning save. From a ball miscued high into his own box by Carmichael, McInally's poor defensive header fell straight to a Scotsman forward eight yards out and his volley produced a superb reaction diving stop from Lunny to protect Windlaw's slender advantage. A fine save from the in-form goalie. Scotsman also had a good effort from a glancing header from a corner that missed the Windlaw post by inches. Windlaw then awoke from their slumber and searched for the required killer second goal. It almost came from a carbon coby move which produced the first goal, as again Eck McCaig drilled home a ingenius back heel from McCann, however the referee chalked it off for offside. It eventually came after a fine move as Sinclair played a great ball to Neeson at the edge of the Scotsman box. His turn and reverse ball found the onside Kevin McCann bearing in on goal and although the keeper got a touch, he couldn't prevent McCann's drilled finish from reaching the net. Game over. A third was added by the returning hero Colin Carmichael who latched onto McCaig's flick from Lunny's free-kick to get his toe to the ball before the Scotsman keeper and divert it past him for his first competitive goal since the last time mullets were fashionable. The goal was warmly received by his stunned team mates. Windlaw were on easy street and had various late chances to add to their tally mostly involving Kevin McCann however Scotsman held out and will be desperate for an end to what has ultimately been a miserable season for them. We wish their battling players well during what is a tough time.
Full Time: Scotsman Bar 0 Windlaw 3
Summing-Up: Not the greatest performance by Windlaw however a job well done in what Manager Gary Wilson described beforehand as “a potential banana-skin.” Neeson and Carmichael again linked well in midfield, McCaig was ever lively upfront and Lunny's fine form continued. Windlaw will be delighted by their recent defensive record which will be severely tested by the visit of Champions Vale Utd to Barlia next Saturday. Vale will still be very confident of claiming all three points.
