Paisley & District AFL
League Division 1 Game
Paisley Athletic AFC v Blackstoun United AFC
K.O. 2.30pm Mora Drive (Grass) Referee John Welsh
Crowd 40
3-4
Well here we are at last our second but first game of the season this was going to be a massive challenge for us as we are starting off with a virtual new team with only seven of our squad left from last season, in fact two of our players that left (Kevin Mc. & Ross P.) joined Paisley Athletic and one of theirs came to join us (Steven K.) So you could say that both teams had something to prove.
There is a strong wind today and whoever wins the toss and selects to have the wind at their backs in the first half is bound to have an advantage. As luck would have it, we won the toss.
The game kicked off at 2.20pm and with the wind behind us we were straight at them Ryan Pirie was the first to get in a shot just going past the post. Moments later we have a free kick just outside their box. Chris Crichton takes the kick he puts it into the back post, Owen Gillespie leaps up and heads just past the post.
They have to make a substitution in the first five minutes it would appear that he took a knock on a long term injury.
6 min’s and we win a corner. Chrissy takes the corner on the left hand side and drives it in low there is a mass scramble with every one trying to poke it in and their keeper makes a good save and somehow they manage to get it out for another corner.
7 min’s gone and they manage to get their first shot in but it goes high and wide.
About ten minutes gone and a good bit of persistent play from our midfield pairing of Robert Clark and Owen almost got Gary Stevenson clear on our right, an out stretched toe just preventing a one on one.
15 min’s and some more good play sets Karl Flynn up for a shot on goal that goes wide. A few moments later and some more good work lets Robert get in a shot this time forcing the keeper to make a save.
About the 20th minute we are still pressing hard (I have to say at this point that our superiority is wind assisted and not all great play from us because it took us a long time to adjust to the conditions) They attempt to break out from one of our many attacks but Gary S steals the ball and comes charging back at them getting in a cracking low shot that the keeper does well to save with one hand but it spills across the goal into the path of Karl who has an easy slot home 0-1.
The next 25 min’s is much the same with them playing the offside trap while it worked a number of times we were still haranguing them and got through a few times only for the Ref to make the wrong decision (in my opinion) and much to the annoyance of Ryan who got a yellow card for objections.
I have to admit because of our lack of goals this half I was a little concerned as to what was going to come at us in the second half because the wind was not letting up.
Half time
The second half kicked off about 3.07pm and for the first 5 min’s nothing really happened until Robert put through a terrific ball to Gary McLeod who was on his own on the far right just outside the box. He charged on, the keeper came running out to block him but he rounded the keeper and had an easy slot home 0-2.
In the fifty second minute John Moran came on for the tiring Karl.
55 min’s they have a free kick outside our box no problems.
A minute later Gary S gets a yellow. I’m not sure what for.
65th min we are in their box and pressing hard Owen tries an overhead kick that just goes wide. They come straight back at us with the long ball Paul Galloway takes a sore one and has to receive treatment.
The wind is pinning us in and we are under a great deal of pressure. They have yet another long throw into the box this time we fail to deal with it and one of their player heads it in unmarked in the middle of the goal 1-2.
70th min they have a free kick wind assisted it drops into our box, off side Kevin Mc gets a yellow for protesting too much.
Two min’s later Kane punt the ball out despite the wind it comes down in the mid field it is quickly shifted out to John Moran out on the left he drives for the line, when he gets there he easily side steps the defender he looks up and spots Robert coming into their box at the far side and puts in the perfect pass for Robert to slam home 1-3.
80th min we are starting to push out again after having been pinned in for the last ten minutes or so despite the wind. Robert is on the ball just outside their box weaving his way effortlessly through a ruck of players; one of them falls to the ground and handles the ball. The ref refuses to give a stonewall penalty but gives a free kick just outside the box moments later. Robert steps up and puts in a brilliant round the wall effort to make it 1-4.
This in no way diminished them because they came straight back at us with another five minutes of solid pressure, but despite this we were dealing with it sometimes on a wing and a prayer but we were dealing with it. They got their break through when Kane fluffed a goal kick it went straight to their forward Kevin Mc who had an easy task of putting it away 2-4.
Don’t worry about it Kane these things happen especially against the conditions. In saying that, we should have been alert to deal with the problem when they happen.
With time running out, it was nothing but the long ball and they were throwing every one into our box.
About the 91st minute they have another throw into the box this time we fail to deal with it and it 3-4.
There are another four minutes of extra time to play they continue to press but to no avail we held on strong and big Stuart Witherspoon took one in the face and saved the day.
The final score 3-4 to us and I think well deserved for the way we handled the conditions. We played some of our best football against the wind. But you can’t take away from them. They battled right to the end and I wish them well in the league.
I hope we have the start of something good hear and I’m sure there will a lot of points lost and won by everyone. Let’s not get carried away with ourselves and take it one game at a time.
Well done guys.
The team today was:-
Steven Kane:-Apart from the one gaff he had a good game and instils confidence at the back.
Paul Galloway:-A strong and solid performance especially when he doesn’t dive in. Chris Crichton:-Not so much of the dynamo today but more of a team player.
Stuart Piggott:-Was very composed at the back despite his youth.
Stuart Witherspoon:-Getting better all the time.
Gary Stevenson:-Not on the score sheet today, but put in a good shift out on the right.
Ryan Pirie:-Looked very determined to day and created a lot of chances.
Owen Gillespie:-Looked if he was enjoying his return to football.
Robert Clark:-Easily my man of the match, he put in a solid performance and got two goals.
Karl Flynn:-Not fully match fit yet but worked hard and got a goal.
Gary McLeod:-Good to see Gaza back, he is a maestro with the ball at his feet.
Used subs were:-
John Moran:-Good quick feet definitely a hand full for the opposition.
Unused subs were:-
Craig Larkin and
Kevin Kane
