1st Touch Football Division Two (North) at Hazlehead on Saturday 2nd April
The game started in lively fashion with both teams attempting to play football on a difficult surface following the downpour of the morning. Despite the conditions the game went end to end in a very entertaining start.
First chance of the game came from a Mearn’s long ball from the left wing into the box which found Duncan but unfortunately for him the ball was little high and his header went harmlessly wide. The next chance came to Grammar and a neat through ball found Ward in space wide in the box but from the angle could only put his shot into the side netting.
The game continued to be end to end and it was inevitable a goal would be scored the only question being which way. The answer came on the quarter hour. Grammar won the ball in midfield and played the ball out wide to Ward who skipped past 2 players before delivering a delightful cross into the box and as the Theologian defenders stood ball watching McQuilter finished expertly with a first time half volley side foot low into the left corner.
With Theologians reeling from the goal a second came a minute later. A defensive header was picked up in the midfield and was played first time to Kydd who found himself in acres of space on the 18 yard line and his accomplished turn and strong pass like shot found its way low into the left hand corner to make 2-0.
With Grammar FPs now two goals up they were able to pass the ball around and were quite comfortable despite Theologians best efforts. From one Theologian’s attempts Grammar won possession and worked the ball to their right and a long ball from fullback Aitkenhead down the wing had McQuilter heading for the goal line. With a bit of skill he turned in field and played an inviting ball between the penalty spot and 18 yard line and there was Ward to accept the gift by sweeping it in low for number 3.
With Grammar now three goals to the good they were in search of more when Theologians were able to break up an attack and broke at speed. A ball from the breaking midfielder was slid down the right to Breen who cut inside leaving 2 defenders on their rears after slipping in the conditions and his ball across the box found McLoud who looked up and picked out an excellent clipped cross for Duncan to nod home at the back post.
The game continued to go end to end without any notable chances and at half time the score was 3-1 to Grammar FPs.
With the boost of a getting a goal back Theologians took the early initiative and applied pressure to the Grammar goal but could not fashion a clear chance. During this pressure Grammar FPs were able to clear their lines and as 2 Theologian defenders went to pick up the clearance they in doing so got in a mix-up and the resulting miss-control was picked up Robertson who ran through on goal. The offending defender had recovered sufficiently to match the strikers run to prevent the clear run through on goal but as Robertson closed in on goal he slipped the ball to Duncan who finished well with a low driven shot into the near post area beating the keeper with the power of the shot.
Despite the set back Theologians kept pushing to get back in the game and from a throw in McLoud worked a couple of yards for himself and his low cross into the Bermuda Triangle of the penalty spot and the edge of the box, but with no Theologian player with yards of the cross the chance was missed. Theologians continued to pressure Grammar FPs which led to a corner. Mearn’s left foot delivery found Johnston at the back post he could only head wide from 6 yards under heavy pressure form defenders.
If there was any doubt which way the game would end the game was made completely safe for Grammar in the 75th minute. A corner from the right was met with a towering header which had to be cleared off the line, but in clearing their lines it looped up in the air right on to MacPherson’s head and he directed his header back across goal for an easy finish.
