Friendly
Erskin Bridge v Blackstoun United
2-5
Saturday 11th July 2009 KO 3.30pm at Ferguslie Park Sport Centre Astro Grass Referee John Welsh
Our first friendly of the new season 2009/10 against Erskin Bridge who have decided to move on to the West of Scotland Armature League, for reasons best left unsaid for fear of recriminations and unnecessarily upsetting folk. But most importantly it is an opportunity to try out some new faces, in saying that, a couple of the new faces are Owen Gillespie and Gary McLeod who are returnees from our glorious cup winning days. It is also significant because this is our first season with our new management team of Mark Elder & Gordon Larkin. While I and Chris Johnstone are handling the administration of the club and it is our tenth year in existence so it is hoped that we can bring some success back to the club on our anniversary year.
We k.o. at 3.35pm and in the first 3 mins Ryan Pirie is looking very lively he busts into the box, drives to the bye line and drills the ball in almost catching Wriglie on the hop he gets down but almost palmed it into his own net but as luck would have it, it came off the post and they managed to clear for a corner to us. Ryan takes the corner and plants it on to Alan McFadyen’s (Fudgie) head at the back post who nods it just over the bar. A good and lively start to the game.
10 mins we win a free kick out side their box to our right Ryan takes the kick. Up jumps Gary McLeod (Gaza) like the proverbial springbok and nods it home. 0-1.
15 mins Gary Stevenson mussels his way into the box but slams it into the side netting.
Two minutes later they break from deep and their fast striker was bearing down on our goal but Grant McEnhill (Smudger) caught him up and ushered him off the park for a corner to them. They take the corner and get a shot in but Liam Gray puts in a fine save.
In the twenty-fifth minute they get a shot in that just goes wide they are getting a bit more of the ball and are pushing forward.
A minute later they break down our left flank Craig Larkin (Budda) fails to see out the danger. They get the ball in and slam home the equaliser. 1-1.
For the next five minutes or so they are putting us under a bit of pressure.
30 min we break out with Ryan putting in a long ball to Martin Keenan who beats the offside trap and charges one on one with the keeper he feigns the shot to force Wriglie to commit and then drives it in low to the keepers left. 1-2.
Two minutes later they get a free kick out side our box. They go direct for goal, Liam has it covered but fumbles the ball they react quicker to the loos ball and slot it home. 2-2.
Despite some nice link up play from Ross Pirie, Fudgie, John Murnin and Ryan we were unable to get our selves back into the lead before the half time whistle.
Half Time
The second half kicked of at 4.20pm.
About five minutes into the game and they get a corner which we deal with comfortably.
A few minutes later sees a good move starting with Owen to Ross through to Ryan out on the left who drives to their bye line and passes in to Martin who just fails to get that killer touch.
12 min’s later and Martin has another chance but his shot is deflected wide.
15 min’s and some more good work down the left.
Its all us now we are having the vast majority of the possession.
28 min’s Owen wins the ball on the half way line puts through a good pass to Gary S who turns his man well and is clear on goal the keeper had no chance 2-3.
Two minutes later and Gary S is the recipient of a long ball turns his man again and charges on to goal the keeper again had little chance 2-4.
A few moments later we have free kick just out side their box but failed to make it count.
40 min’s and Gary S is brought down in the box. Penalty!! Ryan is onto the ball in a flash no one is taking his job. 2-5.
The team to day was
Liam Gray:- He didn’t have much to do, he had one good save and one fumble. All in all a good game.
Gary Hyndman:- Sailed through the game with out any problems even tried to push up a bit.
Craig Larkin:- Isn’t a left footer so it can be a bit tough playing out of position.
Stuart Witherspoon:- Played well needs to sharpen up a bit but its early doors.
Grant McEnhill:- Our new captain covered his position with ease.
John Murnin:- A good game but still a bit subdued due to his injury I think.
Ross Pirie:- A dynamo in the mid field, does good work. Sure to be a regular in the team.
Alan Mc Fadyen:- Slow to start playing out on the right but soon got into his stride.
Gary Stevenson:- Always a useful player to have in your team. Always looking for the goals.
Gary McLeod:- Been out for a long time but still showed singes of his old brilliance.
Ryan Pirie:- Just about all the good work that was done to day involved Ryan.
Martin Keenan:- A good singing. I think he will be a regular goal getter.
Paul Galloway:- Always gives you a hundred percent just needs to keep his hands to himself.
Owen Gillespie:- Been out for a while but showed a good touch. Big and strong a good battler.
David Brewster:- Will need a few run outs to get the feel of the team.
William Lafferty:- Wasn’t really tested at the back but what he had to do he did well.
Craig Carrigan:- Had to play out on the wing and I thought he did a good job.
This was a good run out for us I hope the rest of our preparations go as well and our thanks to Erskine Bridge for the game and we wish them well in their new league.
These comments are not necessarily the views and opinions of the management team but are solely mine and not meant to be taken seriously.
