Willie MacAulays excellent report on the Lochs midweek game in Garrabost (DP) > Point 0 v 2 Lochs (league 28.5.14) > > Lochs take the Points as Reds Rue Missed chances. > > Lochs gained revenge for their Highland Amateur defeat by beating the Reds at Stadio Garrabostio on a pleasant, if a wee bit breezy night. Yet again the Reds failure to score when on top (like v the West), cost them dear as first Chris Mackay and then Jim O Donnell punished some slack defending. It was a tough one for the Reds who were playing their 3rd game in 5 days, and another concern is the growing queue for the treatment room, with various injuries sustained tonight. > > First half incidents: > There really is little to seperate the top 5 or 6 teams in the league this year, with possibly squad size, experience, the fixture list and strikers hitting form going to make the difference. What this means is that pretty much every game is going to be really tough, and this one was no exception. > Captain Flower won the toss and elected to take the wind in the first half, as we reckoned it might die down in the second, which it did a wee bit (very interesting). The Reds started well, with Duncan Hunter showing Nipper a clean pair of heels before being taken down to Chinatown by the little left back. Alexanders free kick was blocked. Mo is a player with good memories of playing the Maroons and he was going through his full array of skills, linking play with back heels and flicks, though Wee Roddy wasnt to be distracted from his man marking role and was giving the Egyptian Hitman a tough game. > > The Lochies werent getting out of their half as a result of the breeze and the Reds pressing game, and when they did try and knock it about they invariably made a mistake, giving Point their best chances. After 12 minutes a slack pass across the back 4 was intercepted by Duncan who was taken out late by Wee Roddy with a nasty one. Ref Chancey brandished a yellow. Duncan has been the victim of a few late tackles, both this season and last, and had to visit the hospital later as a result of the challenge. Ali Gillies free kick was blocked by the wall. > > After 16 minutes Daniel stole the ball off Calum Tom and passed on to Mo who decided to shoot early, unfortunately his finish flashed inches past the post. Great chance!! Angie Campbell seemed well revved up for this game and he saw yellow for a foul then a frustrated kick of the ball toward Stu F. It seemed the Lochies may have taken a leaf out of the Wests book and stocked up on Red Bull, maybe from Cameron Terrace!! On another note my Wifes brother once bought her Drain Cleaner from Cameron Terrace for her Birthday-it was the only place he shopped and couldnt think of what to get her! Funnily enough it was just what shed always wanted...... > > For the next 10 mins the Reds continued to hold sway, though the Lochies were beginning to threaten, particularly down the right with the classy Nomie linking up well with Peter Mackenzie. It was from one such link up that the Maroons took the lead; Peter rampaged down the right and with the aid of a jammy (!) ricochet ended up cutting the ball back to Chris, who couldnt quite convert. The ball broke back to Robert Mackenzie whos sclaffed shot found its way through to an unmarked Chris who calmly stroked past Wrighty (29 mins). Point 0 v 1 Lochs. > There was certainly an element of luck in the build up but Chris finished well. It was a sore one for the Reds who had been the better team but their final pass, cross or shot was lacking quality. The Reds set pieces, of which they had loads, were also a disappointment, though Cammy Houston did well to scramble one away as it hovered about the bar (like myself at closing time). > > A couple of mins later Daniel sent Sean away down the left. He gathered at the bye line before squaring the ball towards Mo, six yards out. Mo managed to flick the ball goalwards whilst under pressure from Wee Roddy, but the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.We just need one of these to go in!! After 35 mins Spike was booked for a foul on Robert Mackenzie. Peter Mackenzie went on another barnstorming run down the right but his toe poked shot was well saved by Wrighty: from the resultant corner a break down in communication led to Jonny Smith being given the freedom of the box but his volley grazed the top of the bar as the Reds still reeled from going behind. There was still time for one more chance for the Rudhachs when Sean and Mo combined well but it was snuffed out by CT, the subsequent corners came to nothing. > > Half time chat: > The boys were playing well enough up to a point, but Coach Stoodie wanted better delivery on set pieces and an improved final ball. The effort was there as always, we were just lacking that bit of quality, or a bit of luck. On top of that, Duncan, a real danger in the first half, was injured and had to come off. The Red Biker came on in his place. > I was really disappointed at half time. Its tough when you know the team have given their all, a lot of them playing with injuries and fatigue, and not got any reward. > I was also disappointed with the number of people talking to me and offering me cakes. Im more than just a cake eater, have some respect. Having said that, Sean had been true to his word and I was looking forward to trying one of his Red Velvet cakes, though i was worried about the ingredients! Theyre more brown than red hmmmmm...... More of that later! > > Second half incidents: > Lochs had the wind at their backs and Robert Mackenzie nearly scored straight after the restart, spectacularly volleying inches wide. In the excitement Id forgot to start my watch but fortunately Point Ultra Donald Lamont had it under control, he was using his phone stopwatch, technology these days.... The Reds began to play quite well into the wind, with Jason continuing where Duncan left off and giving Nipper a run for his money. After 51 mins Jasons cross was headed over by Sean Bayble. 3 mins later Jim O D had a chance for Lochs but he blazed wide from 15 yards. After 56 mins Stu Flower succumbed to injury and was replaced by Ruari Miller, who himself had to be subbed 6 mins later following a clash of heads which left him looking like a Klingon from Star Treck! Poor Ruari was going to be taken to A and E by Chairman Malcolm Flower, who didnt miss a chance to ask me if I had any of Scotts wifes Grans Duff left on the way by. Ruari is OK thankfully, though hes taken the day off work. Malcolm is still hungry. > > Inbetween all the subs Lochs scored their second when Wrighty failed to collect a harmless through ball and left Jim O Donnell with the simplest of tasks to walk the ball into the net! An uncharacteristic slip by the Legend of Lewis football (61 mins). Point 0 v 2 Lochs. After 63 mins Daniel showed good skills in the box to head to the byline but his cross was well blocked by the Lochie defence for a corner. Point continued to press for a goal and in 70 mins Mo managed to get round CT and cut the ball back, unfortunately there were no takers in the middle. Someone gamble!!! Stephen Campbell was now playing in midfield and was doing well with some nice turns, linking up nicely with Sam and Daniel. After 75 mins Nomie nutmegged Alexander before cutting back but the Reds scrambled to safety. The game was beginning to open up but Coach Stoodie had no more attackers to bring on; Wally had been named on the bench in the hope he could come from working in Eleven for the second half but a bus load of tourists must have fancied a late buffet because he never made it! Sam fired in a cracking left foot shot after 77 mins as the Reds tried once more to penetrate the maroon wall, but Cammy Houston finger tipped over. Ally Gillies was next to get injured, hopefully not a reccurrence of his bad knee, and the Reds finished with 10 men, all subs being made. Lochs could have made it three near the end; sub Andy Murray showing twinkle toes before setting up Nomie who narrowly missed. The Lochies also hit the bar late on (no surprise there!) but it would have been harsh on the Reds. Full time Point 0 v 2 Lochs. > > Point Man of the Match: Stephen Campbell had a solid game and showed his versatility. > > Moment of the match: At the end of the game I was trudging off to the car, tripping over my bottom lip, when Christine appeared with two cakes on a plate (not snakes on a plane) for me to take home. She told me that the brown cake was Sean Baybles cake and the other was a cream cake. Well i had the cream one as soon as I got home and just before bed I had Seans, which i must say was very tasty. Good job Sean! > > Moan of the match: Our set pieces were really bad in this game. We have a number of players who get fouled and we must make the most of these opportunities to score some goals. A bit of luck might help too...... > > Point FC: Wrighty, Kaboom, Stephen C, Ally G, Alexander, Spike, Stu, Mary Berry, Daniel, Dunc, Mo Subs: Klingon, Amstersam, Red Biker, Bomber > > Lochs FC: Houston, Nipper, CT, Wee Roddy, Peter, Angie, Robert, Nomie, Chris, Jonny, Jim > Subs: Gordie, Andy, Finlayson, Maclean, Stevie Price.
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 06:55:04 +0000
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