| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 1st April 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 4 |
| S.Neeson,W.Thornton,K.McCann,J.McCabe | |
| Lochend United | 1 |
Star Man: Eck McCaig, of whom Windlaw Manager Gary Wilson said "His commitment and enthusiasm for the team is an example to all." Noteable mentions also went to Chris Kerr and Shug Neeson.
Action Details
Windlaw's starting eleven remain unchanged and Darren Campbell is added to the bench.
Windlaw begin by trying to pass the ball constantly, perhaps too much at times. Lochend themselves look threatening in possession and counter attack to good effect. Windlaw take the lead on 15 minutes through a superlative passing move starting with goalkeeper Lunny and involves McInally, Neeson, McCann and Kerr who releases Eck McCaig in acres down the right wing. McCaig's slide across the goal is passed into the net by the onrushing Neeson who has ran 40 yards to get on the end of the cross. Amazing team goal and probably the best move of our season in our last home league game. Lochend do not buckle though and equalise five minutes later when a ball played over the top releases their left winger and his cutback into the box is expertly finished by the Lochend midfielder from 10 yards in off John Lunny's left hand post. There was a suspicion of offside over the goal, however referee Kenny McCabe brushes aside Windlaw's protests. Eck McCaig then rattles the bar for Windlaw from a Nesson lay-off from 20 yards. Windlaw retake the lead on 25 minutes through Wullie Thornton. The marauding full-back got on the end of a cross into the Lochend box and from 12 yards the keeper was unable to keep out his shot which fell a yard over the line and the goal was awarded. Kevin McCann then produced one of the sitters of the season as he hit a Lochend defender on the line with his shot from all of 4 yards with the keeper already beaten. On 35 minutes, Windlaw went 3-1 up. A free-kick 20 yards out was rolled out to Kevin McCann who discovered a better range from the edge of the box as his shot took a deflection before landing in the bottom right hand corner of the Lochend keeper's net for his 13 th goal of the season. No further scoring until half-time although Lochend had a few bits of pressure until then.
Half Time: Windlaw 3 Lochend United 1
A determined Lochend were penning Windlaw in their own half after the break but despite having more possession they could not produce clear cut chances as the home side tried to ride the storm. Windlaw then brought on John McCabe for Wullie Thornton and like the man he had replaced the substitute scored the goal that wrapped up the three points. Taking a pass just inside the box, McCabe swung his left foot and the ball flew into the top left hand corner of the stunned Lochend keeper's net much to McCabe's amazement, it seemed. This was the end of the real action of a more scrappy second half and Windlaw played the last 10 minutes with 10 men after McInally limped off and the three substitutes of McCabe, Nugent and Docherty had already been committed to the action.
Full Time: Windlaw 4 Lochend United 1
Summing Up - A strange game in many ways. At times Windlaw passed it really well but they were also sloppy in shutting Lochend down at times and allowed the men from the East End to knock it about too much. Lochend for their part didn't play particularly badly and have some fine players. Big Alan at the back as always was excellent and on the wings they had two fine players, one in particular, a flying machine.Their Number 6 also passed well and to great effect in the second half. We congratulate them on their League Cup success and wish them well in staying in the Division. It would undoubtedly be a poorer league without them.
