Division Two (East) at Hazlehead on Saturday 25th February
Report by Scott McPherson
Despite being second in the Division Two (East) table Glendale Youth were comprehensively beaten by Glentanar Reflex.
The result would have seemed unlikely after Youth’s positive start. They took the lead after 5 minutes thanks to hesitation in the Reflex defence. Both Robbie and Deans left the ball to each other which allowed Glendale’s Birnie to nip in and steal the ball home at the back post. His cross was met by lone striker Callum Saunders who swivelled and drilled the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Who knows what the score might have been if Glentanar hadn’t equalised quickly as the away side collapsed after they levelled. The equaliser came via the penalty spot after Alan Hudson burst into the box and after tangling with left back Mair went over, the referee was decisive and wasted little time in pointing to the spot. Graham Leslie was the man to take the penalty and he slotted the ball to the right of the goalkeeper to equalise almost immediately.
As Glendale felt sorry for themselves Glentanar pounced to take the lead. Firstly, striker Ryan Legge had his one-on-one effort saved by ‘keeper Robertson before Hudson was also denied by the Glendale number 1. Eventually the ball fell to midfielder Stuart Andrew who smashed his shot into the top right corner from 12 yards giving the goalkeeper no chance on this occasion.
Glentanar scored another quick goal to give the score line a degree of comfort. Striker Hudson was again put through, on his own before rounding the on rushing ‘keeper and squaring the ball to the grateful Legge who netted from 4 yards.
Half-time: 3 – 1
The score line remained at 3-1 until 10 minutes into the second half. Glendale’s goalkeeper Robertson scuffed a goal kick and fell straight to the feet of substitute Conor Bond who calmly rolled the ball to Glentanar’s main man Alan Hudson who toe poked the ball past the despairing Robertson from just inside the area.
Glendale were given a lifeline shortly after when tireless striker Saunders broke through and poked the ball past a covering defender before being taken down and winning his side a penalty of their own. On first viewing it looked soft but again, the referee was in the right position. Midfield governor Mark Geddes took the responsibility and nailed the ball to the left of the goalkeeper, at height that the ‘keeper got a hand to but it had too much power for him to stop it.
Youth were never going to get anything from the game though as they continued to defend casually and without organisation. Two Glentanar substitutes combined to make it 5. Bond found space up the line and with time and space, managed to fire the ball across to fellow sub Allison who controlled with his right, before placing the ball away from the ‘keeper with his left foot.
As the game drew on Reflex striker Hudson dropped deeper and he showed his ability in midfield too as he stroked a ball wide to winger Christie who pulled the ball back to the enthusiastic left back Robbie who slammed the ball in off the post from the far corner of the 18 yard box.
Glendale Youth will try and shrug this defeat off as just an off day as they were never at the races. Although they will have to drastically improve defensively if they are going to continue their positive league campaign.
Full Time: 6 – 2
