|
MATCH REPORT |
SUNDAY 16th MARCH, 2008
U15 DIVISION 4
CLOUDY 7C |
|
STAR 'A' |
2 |
4 |
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR COLTS |
'6
Davidson
'31 Duncan |
|
|
'4
Motion
'25 Hay
'41 Carter
'56 Ward |
■Andrew Ward
seals the game for Musselburgh Windsor Colts as he scores to
make it 4-2
The red mist descended on Newtongrange
this afternoon as Star 'A' finished this game with only 8
players on the pitch after three second half sending offs.
The game was more or less contested in a fair manner but a
mixture of too much backchat and a slightly over officious
refereeing performance meant that what was shaping up to be a
good second half was effectively over when Star 'A' lost two
players in the space of a minute.
Musselburgh Windsor Colts, however, showed some great finishing
to ensure victory in a game they were never behind in.
Underfoot conditions were very soft and muddy especially in the
centre of the pitch and at the goalmouths but the rest of the
playing surface was fine and certainly playable.
Star started the game confidently playing some neat football and
comfortable taking the ball off goalkeeper Ben Ewing and playing
from the back. Musselburgh Windsor were more direct and looked
to play the ball in behind the Star defence which was well
marshalled by big Bryce Galloway.
The game was only six minutes old when Colts took the lead. A
Musselburgh corner on the right was met by captain Donald
Motion and he rose unchallenged to power a header into the
net.
But their lead was short lived and within two minutes Star were
level. A corner for Star was only partially cleared and the ball
was recycled out to Jo Jo Catterston on the right.
He played a lovely floated ball back across goal where it was
met by the smallest player on the pitch, David Davidson.
And he sent a well placed header back across goal and into the
right hand corner of the net. A really good goal by the home
side.
On 13 minutes Star had a chance to go ahead when Aiden Duncan
was sent clear after some great midfield interplay but his shot
narrowly missed the right hand post from the edge of the box.
Star were enjoying some success down the wings with both full
backs and wide midfielders keen to power forward. Musselburgh
were, however, starting to win the central midfield battle with
any loose balls being picked up by Rory Walker and Gary Reid.
And it was one of those loose balls being won that led to the
East Lothian side's second goal.
 The
ball was played forward into the feet of the excellent Stefan
Hay and he had time to look up and coolly shoot the ball
past the diving Ben Ewing from the left edge of the box.
Colts then had a great chance to extend their lead when Darren
Carter wriggled free past 3 Star challenges but he ran out of
room and Ben Ewing saved well at his feet.
But Star's ever competing attitude saw them come storming back
and once again Musselburgh failed to clear their lines properly
and the ball fell to Aiden Duncan who had the easiest of
tasks of stroking the ball into an open net.
Duncan then made a powerful run down the right hand side and as
he sprinted into the box he clashed with Colts goalkeeper Craig
Carter as they both contested what looked like a 50/50 ball.
Referee Calum Bryson however cautioned Duncan and it was to be
the start of a rash of cards either side of half time that ended
this match as a contest.
Half Time 2-2
The match had been a good contest so far with both sides showing
passion and skill in equal measure and the opening 40 minutes
suggested the second half would be equally entertaining. However
within 4 minutes of the restart this match was over.
On 41 minutes Musselburgh took the lead once again. Wee
Darren Carter again managed to evade at least two Star
tackles and broke free on goal to stroke the ball past Ben Ewing
to put his side 3-2 ahead.
 As
if that wasn't enough, within the space of a minute Star found
themselves with only 9 players left on the pitch. Completely out
of the blue captain Jordan McCallion was shown a second yellow
card and the red appeared. I didn't see anything to warrant a
yellow but perhaps it was for dissent. And then a moment later
Aiden Duncan saw red as well for a second booking which looked
like it was for a slightly late tackle.
44 minutes gone.
3-2 down. 9 men on the pitch.
It was to get worse
just 12 minutes later. Without entirely dominating possession
Musselburgh were comfortably containing any emerging Star threat
but they put the game completely beyond them with the best goal
of the game to go 4-2 ahead.
Darren Carter won
the ball on the half way line and sped away from the chasing
Star defenders before playing a lovely ball into the path of
Andrew Ward. He strode forward into the box and calmly
placed the ball past the exposed Ewing.
Star 'A' did have a
couple of chances to pull at least one goal back. Corey Galloway
found space in the box and lofted the ball over Craig Carter but
unfortunately for him it bounced just wide of the left hand
post. And then Bryce Galloway hit a tremendous 25 yard free kick
which was equally brilliantly saved by Craig Carter diving high
to his left.
With 5 minutes to
go right back Declan Kinsella was also shown a second yellow for
dissent and the remainder of this game was played out in acres
of space with Musselburgh able to see out time with no further
scares on their goal.
Full Time 2-4
Musselburgh had
good performances from their central midfield pair, Rory Walker
and Gary Reid and up front Stefan Hay had a very effective
match. It was just a pity about his goal celebration which would
suggest he has just become a father!
Best for Star 'A'
were giant centre back/sweeper, Bryce Galloway and at the
opposite end of the height scale David Davidson put in a good
shift. Declan Kinsella had a great game before he also saw red
late on.
 But
for this week's Pink Man of the Match we are going for
Musselburgh Windsor's Darren Carter. Energetic, he never
gave the Star back four a minutes rest and as well as setting up
the final goal he also scored one for himself. He paired up well
with striking partner Stefan Hay and can be well satisfied with
his 80 minutes. |
