| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 4th March 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
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| Windlaw | 0 |
| Greenhills Dynamo | 1 |
| Cullie | |
Star Man: John Lunny, of whom Windlaw Manager Gary Wilson said "John quite simply did not deserve to be on the losing side." Other noteable mentions went to defenders Colin Sinclair and John McCabe.
Action Details
Windlaw made three changes from the victory over Lochend Utd last week with Allan Dougall, Colin Carmichael and Benny Carey replacing Bruce Tierney, Chris Kerr and Alan Nugent. Before kick-off, a minute's silence was observed in respect of former Windlaw player and sponsor Eddie Fitzpatrick who sadly died during the week at the premature age of 37.
An extremely tense and tight first half ensued with very little in terms of clear goalscoring opportunities and both defences looking pretty comfortable. Both sides were guilty of hurrying too much in possession and there was an element of cancelling each other out involved. Windlaw's Zanda Dougall had to be replaced by McInally after 25 minutes with his eye badly swollen and closing after catching one of Greenhills' Cullie's flaying elbows in the face. Eck McCaig had a decent half chance for Windlaw shortly before but blazed wildly over after two Greenhills defenders collided going for a high ball. John Lunny then produced an outstanding save from John Paul Hughes' snapshot from the edge of the Windlaw box, miracolously turning the shot round his left hand post with his wrong hand when he seen it late. No other noteable action to comment on.
Half Time: Windlaw 0 Greenhills Dynamo 0
Windlaw began the second half well and captain Benny Carey had a couple of decent half chances that were fired over the bar. Again the game was tense and you sensed that one goal would win it. Windlaw's Lunny had three amazing second half saves to deny Greenhills, two from one on one situations and one stunning save again from Hughes with his foot which the Greenhills skipper could barely have struck any sweeter from close range. It looked like the big man's heroics would earn a point for Windlaw. Benny Carey also had a fizzing drive that flew just over and Windlaw appeals for a penalty were refuted when Shug Neeson was stood on in the box by the Greenhills centre half. Kevin McCann was then stood on by Greenhill's Cullie after a challenge in what could have been a red card offence. Cullie's presence on the field though was to haunt Windlaw as with 10 seconds of the regulation 90 left, he headed home the winner that will take the championship to East Kilbride for the first time. After a throw-in needlessly conceded by McInally on the Greenhills left wing, a superb deep cross which McInally should have blocked was swung to Windlaw's back post area where Cullie arrived to sink his header past the previously unbeatable Lunny into the postage stamp corner to signal wild celebrations from the visitors. Amid the celebrations came the disgrace of a Greenhills substitute shamefully taunting the dejected Windlaw players. He was red-carded by ref Dougie Anderson who enjoyed a good game and tried to let the play flow when possible. At the end, a dejected but dignified Windlaw side shook the hands of each Greenhills player. On balance of clear cut chances, the visitors deserved their title clinching win.
Full Time: Windlaw 0 Greenhills Dynamo 1
Summing-Up: . The Windlaw record winning run finally came to an end in a game where they will know they didn't display their best form. It is however, difficult to criticise a side who were completely out of the title race after 8 games. Gary Wilson and Martin Kerr have instilled a belief in the side that launched this run and should be very proud of their efforts. The absence of a 30 goal striker who watched from the sidelines yesterday has perhaps been the most significant factor in the failure to win the title this season. As for Greenhills, they have many ingredients that a championship-winning side must contain such as a winning mentality, strength, strong defence and an ability to dig in right until the very end. Dignity in victory though for the second time this season was in short supply. Certain elements of the sideline entourage berating referees would appear to be part of a successful and ultimately glorious gameplan. On behalf of Windlaw, we congratulate them on their success in defeating us twice this season. There will undoubtedly be a shortage of trophies in Castlemilk this season, however this is temporary. The class with which you should conduct yourselves should be permanent.
