CIBA Cup

Blackstoun United AFC v Johnstone Thistle AFC

4-0

K.O. 2pm Greenfield’s (Grass) Referee Paul Livingston

This is our second meeting this season the first ending in a draw that I thought was a little harsh on us. So we were determined to do better this time round. We had to move into Glasgow to play this game as there were no parks available in Paisley on the Monday when I went to book the park. We could have waited until midweek to get a cancellation but the problem with that is, if I couldn’t get one we may have had to concede the game and receive a fine. But I think that would be unlikely, as we are only required to book one week in advance. However Johnstone Thistle was good enough to use their contacts in Glasgow to get a park and my thanks to them for that. I had not booked a park in advance as we had a Scottish cup tie the week before; if that game had been drawn it would have been carried over to the next week as it has a priority over all other games.

Anyway! Let’s focus on the game.

We kicked off at 2.10pm. It was a fine sunny day and no wind. We were straight at them right from the start in the first minute some good pass and move football got Gary McLeod onto their bye line and sets up Chrissy Crichton for a shot but the keeper saves.

In the forth minute a long throw to them, they get in a shot but Steven Kane Saves easily.

11 min’s Gary Mc puts a corner in to Kevin McMahon who nods it back across goal to Karl Flynn who heads over.

14 min’s some good inter weaving play with Robert Clark and Chrissy get the ball into Karl who scores but it’s chopped off for off side.

17 min’s Johnstone get a shot in Kane saves putting it out for a corner; it’s knocked out for another corner. This time we break up the park and Karl shoots just wide. The game is end to end now but I think we are shading it with the better chances.

22 min’s A great ball from Kevin on the half way line splits their defence, Chrissy is on to it in a flash and drives into their box but blast it over the bar.

24 min’s a free kick to them just inside our half they go direct but it is well over.

26 min’s Robert takes a free kick from about thirty yards out but shoots over the bar.

28 min’s they are pressing again but we break out Karl puts the ball through to Chrissy, he drives into the box. Their centre half comes charging over and brings him down. Penalty!!

Gary coolly steps up and slots it home sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0

30 min’s right from the centre we are straight at them again this time Karl is brought down in the box before the ref got a chance to consider whether it was a penalty or not Chrissy jumps in and steels the ball and blasts it into the net 2-0.

A minute later Gary heads the ball wide. After this and for the next three minutes they press us back but our defensive back four are working well and mopping up everything that was thrown at them.

35min’s Kevin put through a great ball to Grant (Smudger) who gets in a shot that parried out for a corner.

36 min’s they get a yellow for a late tackle on Robert. Shortly after this Karl gets in a brilliant shot on goal requiring an equally brilliant save.

It’s all us now, they tried to muscle their way back into the game but we stood our ground and played the game.

Well done the lads.

Half time

K.O. 2.57pm in the first two minutes they break through our defence Kane came out and blocked their shot the loos ball fell to them with an open goal before them they blast over. I think that was their only real chance to score in the whole game.

For the next seven min’s or so the game was fairly even with neither team creating any good chances.

9 min’s Karl lays the ball off to Robert who puts in a terrific curving cross to Gary at the far post, but he just failed to get a head to it. We are starting to get a grip on the game again.

14 min’s Karl breaks through Johnstone’s back line again. He is one on one with keeper, he comes charging out and clips Karl, he stumbles but some how manages to stay on his feet their defence are now back covering the goal so he has to cut it back to Gary who is brought down this time it’s a penalty. In the absence of our resident penalty taker Ryan every one wants to have a go. This time Chrissy grabs the ball, he steps up and powers it high but the keeper gets his hands to it and saves. The referee orders a retake because two of their players ran into the box before the ball was kicked in fact one of them was so far forward he could have kicked the ball before Chrissy. This time Gary decides he will take it. He shoots the keeper gets his hand to it but not enough to keep it out 3-0.

What fallowed after that was nothing short of a disgrace Johnstone to a man surrounded the referee demanding a retake. Their keeper came storming out of the goal and was in the refs face their sideline also came storming on shouting abuse and they continued to do so through out the rest of the game.

20 Min’s John Fleming came on for the tiring Karl who had a tremendous game.

28 Min’s John was brought down just out side the box Chrissy takes the kick and rounds the wall, the keeper saves but falls to John who rattles it off the post.

31st minute Johnstone are pushing us back Chrissy intercepts a loose ball and blasts it up the park their keeper comes to clear the ball but fluffs it John snatches the loos ball and charge in to score and easy goal 4-0.

A minute later they get another yellow card for yet another foul on Robert. Smudger taps it to the side for Spoony’s shot that just goes wide.

37 min’s a free kick to them they shoot Kane dives and holds, danger over.

41 min’s a corner to them it comes in high Kane comes and comfortably takes it out the air.

The last few minutes was a fairy even affair with no goalmouth incidents and ended 4-0 to us.

We expected a tough game and have to play to end because they don’t give up and that’s what we got but in the end we well deserved our win. We controlled the game with solid performance from Brian McLuskey in the mid field.

Today’s team was: -Steven Kane, Gary Hyndman, Budda, Kevin McMahon, Spoony, Smudger, Robert Clark, Brian McLuskey, Chrissy, Karl Flynn and Gary McLeod.

Used subs were: -John Flemming.

Unused subs were: - Gordon Larkin.