Bo'ness United 1-1 Lochee
United
12 November 05, East Region
Superleague
Match
Report
The first half hour of the
first half was a
very tight affair with neither team creating chances.
Robertson and Hardie had shots for Lochee but
failed to trouble the Boness keeper.
Likewise Boness failed to threaten Ross’s goal.
Lochee then raised the game and from a
Bonella cross Durno came close. On 36
minutes, Lochee got a free kick 30 yards out on the right.
Bannon set up Robertson for a shot which the
keeper could only knock down for Bonella to place the ball in the net. Davidson then had a shot from distance which
the keeper saved comfortably. The half
finished with Ross having to block a shot from Winning which rebounded
to Ward
who hit the post. By this stage Lochee
looked worthy of their lead.
After little
threat from either side, on 54
minutes lochee lost the ball in midfield.
Boness attacked on the right side, and Winning was allowed to
run all
the way to the edge of the 6 yard line before shooting low into the net
for the
equaliser. Lochee again raised the game and Hardie and Bonella shot
wide. Apart from Ross having to claim the
ball in a
goalmouth stramash following a free kick, Boness were happy to hold out
for the
draw. Leahy and Blackwood came on for Holt
and McConnachie. Lochee continued to
create chances and Hardie, Bonella, Robertson and Blackwood all had
shots without
altering the scoreline. There was no
doubt that Boness were the happier of the teams with the result.
Click
here
for clip. Many
thanks to Charlie at Bo'ness for the video clip.
Team: Ross, Bannon,
Davidson, Tawse, Watson, Hardie
, Durno, Holt, (Leahy,80), McConnachie (Blackwood,
80) Robertson,
Bonella
Match Stats: Lochee had 15 shots, 5 on target for 1 goal.
Bo'ness had 4 shots, 2 on
target for 1
goal.
Managers’
comments
...On the game
overall
"It is disappointing
to get a draw because we created several
good chances. But on the other hand, Bo’ness did try for 90 minutes and
went
for every ball and gave a determined physical performance".
...On the Lochee
performance
"I feel that at 1-0
we were not positive enough and wanted to maybe keep the score. We came
into
the game again at 1-1 and in the last 30 minutes could have won it. We
were maybe punished a little bit because I felt we did not do enough
once we had the
lead and did not go forward in search of a second goal until it was
necessary".
...On being
pegged back
"We felt we were in control
of the game and maybe subconsciously we did not need to push up a gear.
I feel
we did not go forward enough and were a little bit within ourselves
when we
were 1-0 up. We did not want to make a mistake. We were a little bit
cautious.
You want to take the points when you can, and today we should have had
three.
That is where we can learn".
...On our team's
attitude
"It was not that
they did not want to give more, just that they wanted to win the game
without
making a mistake. Football is like that. You have to take risks as well
to
win".
...On suggestions
of complacency
"I don't think there
was complacency. When we were in a position where we had to risk more
we played
our best football. I don't feel we were nervous. It was more a
psychological
desire to keep the result".
...On Bo’ness
"They
gave a
committed performance and played the type of game where if you make one
mistake
you will be punished because they are very direct".
Lochee United 2 - 1 Coupar
Angus
5 November 05, OVD Scottish Cup
Match
Report
What
a
start. Watson headed to Hagan on the
left, who sent a long diagonal pass over the Coupar Angus defence. Hardie collected wide right, turned inside
and cracked a rocket into the net from the edge of the penalty area for
a goal
in 38 seconds. Despite another 11 shots
on goal, the rest of the first half fizzled out like a damp squib.
Whatever
fireworks went off in the dressing
rooms at half-time, the second half looked as if it was to be more of
the same
with Lochee players lining up to shoot.
Although only one was on target for the first half hour, Tawse
headed
just past from a corner, Hagan hit the bar on to the goal line from a
free
kick, and Robertson had a shot saved. On
70 minutes Leahy came on for the injured Durno and Bonella replaced
Robertson. In the 77th
minute, Coupar Angus managed their first shot on target.
Unfortunately for Lochee it was a cracker
into the top right corner from 25 yards which Ross had no hope of
stopping. That seemed to light Lochee’s
fuse and 2
minutes later Dorward delivered a perfect cross from the left for
Blackwood to
head home. Lochee continued to pass the
ball with precision, and Blackwood, Bonella and McConnachie (who
replaced Hagan
on 80 minutes) all had chances to add to the score, but the match
finished 2 –
1 Lochee.
Apart
from Hardie’s first minute goal, this
was no fireworks display. But again
there were solid performances all over the park, and the only headache
the
manager is likely to have is who to leave out.
Team: Ross, Bannon,
Dorward , Tawse, Watson, Hardie,
Durno (Leahy70), Holt, Hagan (McConnachie, 80), Robertson (Bonella, 70),
Blackwood
Match Stats: Lochee had 25 shots, 10 on target for 2 goals.
Coupar Angus had 6 shots, 1 on
target for 1
goal.
Managers’
comments
On the
performance
Due
to the amount of possession we had it
was important that we were well organised and disciplined. Coupar made
it
difficult by getting 10 men behind the ball at every opportunity. Our
passing
in the first half was too direct and this played into the hands of the
opposition. In the second half we managed to be more patient in
possession and
this enabled us to create out a lot of chances.
On the missed
chances
Well
I would be more concerned if we were
not creating opportunities, of course we want to be clinical in front
of goal
and as this game showed as long as it is 1-0 anything is possible. For
a number
of weeks now we have been carving out lots of openings and hopefully
our good
build up play will be rewarded soon.
On the playing
conditions
With
the amount of rain that had fallen it
wasn’t a surprise to see the pitch cut up so badly. The heavy pitch
made it
difficult to pass with any consistency and this was frustrating for
all. Our playing
surface has been in great condition and with a little luck coupled with
the
hard graft of the ground staff will be back in tip top shape.
On how fragile
a lead
can be
Despite
the game being played virtually in
the opponents half it just takes a concentration lapse or an error and
you can
be punished. As long as it stayed at 1-0 then Coupar had something to
fight
for. It seems harsh that their only effort on target found the net but
that’s
football. It must be said that it was an excellent strike and Ian could
do
nothing about it.
On Scottish Cup
progression
The
objective before the game was to be in
the hat come 4.30pm and this was achieved. We can now look forward to the
draw on
Sunday.
On Coupar Angus
I
think their manager can be proud of the
effort his players gave. If they continue to apply themselves like this
on a
weekly basis then they will get their rewards.
Lochee United 5 - 4 Arniston
Rangers
29
October 05, East Region Superleague
Match
Report
What a roller
coaster of a game this was to be. The
first two shots produced two goals – one
at each end. Arniston went ahead in the 5th minute from a
long throw
which flew across the box. It was headed away by Tawse, only to
fall to the right foot of Duthie who crashed the ball home. The second
went to
Lochee two minutes later. A throw from
left back Macmillan found Hagan who ran past his man before cutting the
ball
back to Robertson who guided the ball into the corner of the net from
15 yards (yet again with his right foot!).
We had to wait until the 17th minute for another shot when
Macmillan headed just past
the post from a corner kick. Next it was
Bannon with a shot wide from a corner.
Finally, a free kick from the left was met by Watson who headed
home his first goal for the club on 20 minutes.
Lochee were certainly not having things all their own way, and
on 28
minutes Ross had to produce a great save.
Two minutes later Duthie crossed from the right and Tawse had to
head
over. On 38 minutes a corner by
Robertson was met full on the volley by Hardie who watched as the
goalkeeper
superbly pushed his effort round the post.
As everyone was getting ready for their half time cuppa Baillie
in the
Arniston Goal kicked from hand for the ball to bounce behind the
defence and
over Ross into the net. Seconds later the ref blew for half time.
Lochee
had the better start to the second half, and on 6 minutes
Blackwood shot just past after a lovely passing move involving Ross,
Robertson
and Hardie. A minute later Blackwood was
clearly tripped just inside the penalty area.
Hagan coolly stroked the ball high into the net for 3 – 2. Four minutes later and the goal of the game
was carved out in vintage Lochee style. Ross threw the ball out to
Bannon who
in turn passed to Hardie who drove passed the fullback leaving space
for the
overlapping Bannon. The full back
fizzed a low cross behind the Arniston defence for the
inrushing Hagan
to side foot home. 4 – 2 and match
over? But Arniston came alive again and
Ross had to make another one on one save. Minutes
later Arniston got their third when a cross from the right was headed
home. Robertson then collected
a Hardie cross and saw his shot pushed on to the post by the Arniston
keeper. A minute later and Hardie headed
onto the
bar. Hagan was next to rattle the goal frame and the rebound fell for
Durno who
fired just past the post. Ross’s kicking
was causing all kinds of problems for Arniston, and
Blackwood ran through only to be knocked over
by the goalkeeper - incredibly no penalty.
Oh well just repeat it a minute later, and this time Blackwood
had the time
and skill to lift the ball over a helpless keeper for 5 – 3 with just
over 15 minutes to
go. Ross wasn’t finished creating
chances and with 10 minutes to go another kick from hand was chested
towards
goal by Blackwood which the goalkeeper could only hold at the second
attempt. But Arniston still had more to
contribute to this match. A free kick
from 30 yards provided the opportunity for the ball to be rolled to
Barnes who
placed it in the top corner. When the
final
whistle came in the 49th minute, those watching were left
just about
as exhausted as the players. Maybe not
the best Lochee performance, but could be one of the best wins of the
season.
Team: Ross, Bannon,
MacMillan (Bonella, 74) , Tawse, Watson, Hardie
, Durno,
Cargill (Holt, 74), Hagan (McConnachie, 82) Robertson,
Blackwood
Match Stats: Lochee had 16 shots, 10 on target for 5 goals.
Arniston had 11 shots, 6 on
target for 4
goals.
Managers’
comments
On an incredible game
Both
teams knew how important this game
was. For us we had to get back in among the pack and for Arniston a win
would
have taken them out of the relegation zone for the first time this
season.
These games are either nervy affairs with few chances or completely
crazy. In
this one we got the crazy version. I am pleased with the response from
the
team, the spirit, the mental strength and the way we got forward to
score.
On the ebb and flow
In
the first half, we played within
ourselves and Arniston I felt were the better side. In the second, we
played
with a little more freedom and went for it. That is when we created the
chances
and won the game. We always looked like we could score goals. That is
our game.
When we kept the ball without having a purpose then we put ourselves in
trouble.
On the first half equaliser
I
feel that changed the balance of the
game. It was a big blow for us just before half time. In fact the goal
probably
changed both half time team talks. It certainly changed mine. Who knows
it may
have been a blessing in disguise as it meant we had to go all out for
victory
in the 2nd half.
On the fourth goal
This
is why people come to watch football,
this type of goal allows our supporters to identify with the way we
play. After
the game it stays with them and they are grateful for what they have
witnessed.
It is a fact you cannot keep people happy for years if it’s boring
every time
and they just come out at the end with a 1-0 win.
On title challenge
I
feel it was important to get the three
points. We have had a hangover from last season and it has taken us a
while to
recover. As for the title, all we can do is concentrate on winning our
own
games. There is added hope in that every team appears capable of winning any game. Whitburn remind me of the
way we were last year, defending well, scoring goals and playing with
lots of
confidence. However, we know from our own experience the pressure is
never in
October and injuries, suspension and form will all play a part.
On Arniston
They
never gave up and it was a special
game for them. Credit to them, they kept fighting till the end. When we
felt
comfortable they put us on our nerves again. It would have been a big
blow not
to take the three points today.
Lochee United 4 - 1 Broughty
Athletic
15
October 05, Challenge Cup
Match
Report
Ex
Lochee coach Kenny Cameron brought his
Broughty Athletic team to Thomson Park,
and with six of the starting line up being Lochee old boys, this
promised to be a highly competitive match.
For the first 20 minutes of the first half it was Bro’ty who
made the
running, with 3 shots on goal in the first fifteen minutes. A just off-target Evans header on 19 minutes
was
their best effort. Somehow the scored remained blank when MacMillan
managed to
turn a goal bound effort from Hardie onto the bar from 3 yards out.
Hagan then
blasted wide when through on the goalkeeper. As the half went on,
Lochee
gradually imposed control, and following several missed opportunities
the
deadlock was finally broken in 35 minutes. A
cross from Robertson gave Hagan a shot which
the goalie saved only for Blackwood to net the rebound.
From the restart Bro’ty went on the attack
and Kiddie shot wide. 2 minutes later Robertson set up Hardie for a
cross which
Hagan shot just past the post. From then
on it was all Lochee with Bro’ty’s goalkeeper giving a great display of
shot-stopping. Inevitably the barrage of
shots on target paid off when Blackwood netted from a Hardie cross for
the
first half to end 2- 0 to Lochee.
The
second half continued where the first
stopped, with Lochee raining shots on target only for the goalkeeper to
bring
off some great saves, including two doubles from close range. The first came after 2 minutes when Durno
then Robertson saw good efforts blocked.
Minutes later it was Blackwood and Hagan’s turn to see equally
good
efforts saved. Shots from Durno and
Blackwood were saved before Dow lost possession to give Blackwood a
shot from
the edge of the box which finally the goalkeeper failed to save. Another Robertson Hardie combination set up
Durno for yet another good stop by the keeper.
On 31 minutes McKinnon received a second yellow card to reduce
Bro’ty to
10 men. From the Robertson free kick
Blackwood saw another header saved.
Bro’ty still managed to mount the odd attack and Kiddie had a
shot which
went over the bar. Bonella came on for
Hagan, McConnachie for Hardie and then Leahy for Durno. Within minutes
of
coming on Leahy burst through the visiting defence and with only the
goalie to beat blazed the ball over. And
still the shots came, from MacMillan and
McConnachie, before Robertson and MacMillan combined to see Bonella
flick on
the cross for McConnachie to score Lochee’s fourth goal. On 48 minutes
Evans
got a consolation goal for Bro’ty when Lochee’s defence tried and
failed to
play him offside. Ross had no chance and
Evans rounded the keeper to put the ball in the net.
Blackwood’s
finishing deserved the hat
trick, and Man of the Match award, but he would be the first to
acknowledge the
quality of service provided by the players around him.
Bro’ty have their goalie to thank for keeping
the score to 4-1.
Team: Ross, Bannon,
MacMillan, Tawse, Watson, Hardie (McConnachie, 80), Durno (Leahy, 85),
Cargill, Hagan (Bonella, 80) Robertson,
Blackwood
Match Stats: Lochee had
27 shots, 17 on target for 4 goals. Bro'ty had 10 shots, 3 on
target for 1
goal.
Managers’
comments
I
was pleased with the quality of our game
against Broughty, and of course I was delighted to get into the next
round.
I was
happy that there was some simplicity
back in our play. The speed of passing and the speed of movement was
also good.
The performance was very positive for the mental side of our game, and
I think
it has given the squad a bit of a boost.
They were very down after the Tayport game, not only because we
lost but
also because of the way we played.
We
were frustrated because there is a way
we want to play the game and we didn’t do that last week, so to find it
back
against Broughty was a big lift. That
proves too that when we are really focussed and concentrating we can do
it.
We
perhaps didn’t score as many as we
deserved to against Broughty, but the most important thing was to
create the
chances. We know we have the players to finish them off, and I would be
more
concerned if we didn’t get our team play right, or weren’t creating the
chances.
I was
disappointed that we failed
to keep a clean sheet on Saturday. Our style of play means that we take
chances
defensively. Our game is based on going forward, so there is
always a risk
that you may concede but we accept that.
I was
personally delighted for
Paul Blackwood. Scoring goals is what strikers live for and
getting a
hat trick
will only boost his confidence further. Also it was great to see
Tweedie coming
off the bench and scoring. Although frustrated he has shown
patience
and proved
he is ready to grab his opportunity when it arises. Mark Bannon
is
testimony to
that, having waited all season to get his first start he did not let us
down.
There
was never any chance of us
underestimating Broughty. They were on a good run of form. Only
one
defeat all
season and they have plenty of players with Super League experience. Of
course
it adds to the game when the starting line up included 6 ex bluebells.
McKinnon, Dow, Evans, Forbes, Kiddie, and McKenna all played a part in
last
seasons title win. Graham Davidson was also in the party that
travelled. Of
course you always want your former players to do well, but just not
against us.
I
speak with Kenny Cameron
regularly and, personally I think he will do well there. As well as
last
seasons title, we won the championship together at Lochee when I had
him as a
player here. Although he was beset with injury his scoring rate was as
good as
any we have had at the club in my time. He appears to have made sure
his team
will not be lacking in firepower. It was
good to see him and all the old boys again on Saturday.
Finally,
what a difference having
all the regular supporters back for Saturday’s game. The lads
really do
appreciate your support.
Lochee United 1 - 3 Tayport
8
October 05, East Region Superleague
Both managers predicted a
tight contest, and it was, despite
the score.
Within the first minute both
teams had shots on goal, from
MacMillan for Lochee and Grant for Tayport.
And it continued end to end with most moves breaking down in the
last
third. Lochee had twice as many shots,
from Hardie Holt, Robertson and Bonella.
Only those which end in the net count however, and it was
Tayport who
scored first, when two mis-kicks landed the ball at Middleton’s feet 8
yards
out for an unchallenged shot for a goal in 22 minutes.
The rest of the half produced little from
either side other than a near miss from Robertson.
Tayport gave notice that they
were not content to sit on
their lead and had two shots in 3 minutes after the re-start. The first brought out a point-blank save by
Ross from Middleton. Disappointingly,
the second from Stewart appeared to run under Ross’s body for Tayport
to go two
up. Middleton missed a
chance to go further ahead on 9 minutes
when he failed to connect with a cross when unmarked.
On 12 minutes Lochee came back into the match.
Hardie collected right, cut inside and picked his spot from the edge of
the box
to make it 2-1. On 22 minutes Robertson
had the ball in the net from a quickly taken free kick only to have the
referee
order a re-take. Can anyone explain this
decision? Hagan had replaced Holt on 60
minutes to put the emphasis on attack, and Lochee put in crosses from
both
sides which the strikers failed to connect with. With
time running out Lochee pushed more
players forward leaving gaps at the back which allowed Tayport a number
of
missed chances. The Bluebells looked to
have equalised when Tawse headed a Robertson corner past Fitzpatrick
only for a
Tayport player to get his body in the way and block the effort on the
line. The
ball spun in the air and despite several blue shirts in the area
frustratingly
it was a red jersey that hooked the ball clear. On 43 minutes Hardie
collected
from a free kick and crossed from the right for Tawse to have his shot
blocked. Tayport immediately broke and
when Dorward slipped Henderson
was through with only the goalkeeper to beat for the final score of 3
-1
Tayport.
Team:
Ross, MacMillan, Dorward, Tawse,
Watson, Hardie, Durno, Holt (Hagan, 60), Robertson, Blackwood, Bonella
Match Stats: Lochee had 16 shots, 6 on target for 1 goal. Tayport
had 11
shots, 4 on target for 3 goals
Manager’s Comments
We went into this game on the
back of 3 straight wins and
confidence should have been high. However, I felt we were too content
to allow
Tayport to dictate the play in the first half. In my opinion I felt it
was
being played like a pre-season friendly and let the players know this
at half
time. By then we were a goal behind. A little bit of good fortune saw
an
intended flick by Duell ricochet off 2 players and land at the feet of
Middleton who kept up his scoring record against us. To go 2 behind so
early in
the 2nd half left us with a mountain to
climb. I am sure Ian
is
disappointed in the goal, but I can honestly say if the rest of the
team played
as consistently as he has we would be at the right end of the table.
Any
mistakes by goalkeepers are magnified tenfold, especially when we are
wasting
chances at the other end of the park. Look at the stats and the
ruthlessness of
Tayport shows. Despite this Calum's goal gave us a lifeline and we went
all out
for the equaliser. Of course you leave yourself open to counter attacks
and
that was how Tayport created several good opportunities, especially
through the
deep lying Grant. For me the turning came with Robbo's free kick which
we were
later told was not given due to an intended substitution for the
visitors. Is a
free kick not meant to be advantageous to the attacking side? Chris
Tawse was out
of luck with his header cleared off the line and frustrated at having
his goal
bound effort blocked, and to make matters worse, see Tayport run up the
park and
score the decisive goal. As a defender you should not be outmuscled by
a
striker, and certainly not given the two players involved. The league I
believe
will be tighter than ever this year and by winning our game in hand we
would
trail 2nd place by 3 points. We have a break
from the league
over the next month or so and this may help us to get a momentum going
again in
time for a return to league action.
Lochee
United 3 - 1 Downfield,
1 October 05
Findlay
and Co Cup
If you blinked during the first
half you
probably missed a shot on goal from Lochee.
In the first minute Robertson had crossed from the left for
Bonella to
head just over. Minutes later MacMillan
crossed
from the right for Blackwood to shoot wide.
Then followed a series of shots
from
Lochee at approximately one every three minutes.
Robertson, Bonella, Hardie and Durno all had shots on target,
and the
Downfield keeper made some great stops. It
was unfortunate for Downfield that the only Lochee goal of the first
half came from
a bad ball from the goalkeeper which was picked up by Bonella and
drilled into the
net. In the whole of the first half
Downfield
could only offer an air shot following the one long ball to get
through the
defence.
Downfield showed
more promise early in the
second half, and Paterson had the first shot on the Lochee goal after three
minutes. Downfield taking players out of
their own half created space for Lochee and a minute later a corner at
the
other end led
to Lochee’s second goal when Tawse headed home.
This goal took some steam out of the game but Durno, Robertson
and
Bonella all had shots on-target, before, against the run of play, a
ball from
the right across Lochee’s goal was missed by defenders and attackers
alike
before Paterson had a tap-in at the far post to put Downfield back in
the
match. Although Downfield did have a few
further chances the solid Lochee defence never looked like conceding
another goal,
and in the 28th minute of the half, Blackwood picked up a
through
ball to put the game beyond dispute with another great finish. Hagan, McConnachie and Leahy came on for
Bonella, Hardie and Holt, who had all put in a great shift. This gave the game another lift for the last
fifteen minutes but Downfield returned to damage limitation mode and
there were no more goals. The match finished 3 –
1 Lochee. Locheee fans were treated to
another
solid performance
in defence and some delightfully creative play going forward.
Team: Ross, MacMillan,
Dorward, Tawse, Watson, Hardie (McConnachie, 75), Durno, Holt (Leahy,
80), Robertson,
Blackwood, Bonella (Hagan, 75)
Match Stats: Lochee had
26 shots, 14 on target for 3 goal. Downfield had 5 shots, 4 on
target for 1
goal.
Manager’s
comments
Another
good
win. I was really pleased with the quality of play, and the
performances from everyone on the park. Last week I said I would
be more than happy if we continued to play like we did against
Carnoustie. We did and I am.
Carnoustie
0-1 Lochee United, 24
September 05
East
Region
Superleague
Lochee started
at a blistering pace. In the first 10 minutes there were 4 shots,
two from MacMillan, and from Durno, and Watson. Unfortunately all
were off target. Carnoustie replied with one off-target
shot. The half continued with Lochee creating chance after chance
without scoring. While not creating as many chances, Carnoustie
had their moments, Webster bringing out a great double save by
goalkeeper Ross and defender Tawse. Up front, Bonella and
Blackwood were well served and it was to their credit that neither
showed frustration that the ball refused to find the net by the end of
the half.
Carnoustie came back strongly for the first 15 minutes of the second
half, but their efforts were well contained by United. And it was
a classic counter by Lochee on 71 minutes which made the
breakthrough. Ross's long goal kick was flicked on by Bonella for
Blackwood to fire past Mitchell. Both teams had further chances
but Lochee made sure there was no way back for Carnoustie, who for the
first time this season lost at home.
Team: Ross, MacMillan,
Dorward, Tawse, Watson, Hardie (Cargill, 75), Durno, Holt, Robertson,
Blackwood (Hagan, 75), Bonella
Match Stats: Lochee had
24 shots, 6 on target for 1 goal. Carnoustie had 12 shots, 5 on
target for no
goals.
Manager’s
comments
It
was a
very
good 3 points for us. Carnoustie have been flying and this is
always a hard place to get anything. We played some outstanding
football and deserved our win. It was great to see Ross,
Blackwood and Bonella combine for the goal as all three had worked well
throughout the game. Many have questioned the changes I made from
last year, but the new players are already showing the quality I
expected. Inevitably it has taken time for things to gel, but we
are now playing with confidence, and if we continue to play like today,
I will be more than happy.
Lochee United 2 - 1 Dundee North End
24 August 05
East
Region Superleague
Everyone at Lochee United, players,
coaches and supporters had to be patient as Lochee went behind to a
headed goal by McLeod in the 12th minute. Despite creating almost
twice as many chances as their opponents in the first half, Lochee
could not find the net, and the half finished 0 -1. The second
half threatened to continue as the first with Lochee creating chance
after chance without result, and North End not having a single shot on
target. Leahy and Blackwood replaced Davidson and Bonella on the
hour, and 5 minutes later Robertson came on for Cargill. Patience
eventually paid off with 2 goals in 2 minutes, from Hagan and
McConnachie, to give Lochee a deserved win.
Team:
Ross, MacMillan, Dow, Watson,
Tawse, Davidson (Leahy,60), Durno, Cargill (Robertson,65), McConnachie,
Hagan, Bonella
(Blackwood,60).
Match Stats: Lochee United 19 shots, 8 on target, for 2 goals. North
End: 7
shots, 1 on target, for 1 goal.
Tayport
1-0
Lochee United
17 August 05
East Region
Superleague
Tayport
started the brighter and Duell had
an excellent early opportunity to score. The linesman on the Tayport
side
decided Duell was on-side and let him run through unopposed on goal.
This was
not the last time this official would be involved in the game. Lochee’s
passing
was erratic and possession was given away cheaply, allowing the home
side to
dominate play. Despite having control of the game the home side failed
to
create any openings. In the 47th minute of the first half a
cross
into the visiting box was chested back to Ross in the goal.
Middleton tried to
intercept the pass-back forcing Ross to palm the ball away. Play
moved to the other end of the park before
the ball went out for a throw-in. To the amazement of all the
referee
then pulled play back and awarded the home team a penalty on the advice
of his
linesman. Gareth Dailly converted the penalty, and on kick-off the ref
blew for
half-time to spark off a heated debate between the officials and the
bluebell's
management team.
The
second half started with the visitors
in determined fashion taking the game to their hosts. However the first
opportunity of the half fell to Weymss who found himself free in the
box and
his header was cleared off the line by Leahy. Lochee slowly began to
dominate
proceedings and shots by Durno, Dorward, and Robertson
failed to test Bruce in the home
goal. As the game wore on Tayport were pegged back in their own half
and forced
to defend non-stop. With 70
minutes on the clock Bonella and Hagan were introduced into the game,
and this
ensured the pattern of play continued. Durno again tried his luck but
to no avail. Macmillan was next to have a go at beating Bruce from the
edge of
the box. Blackwood then seemed certain to score when he chested down a
Robertson pass inside the box, but Weymss managed to block his netbound
shot. In
the 81st minute Bonella rose above the 'Port defence to
header a
Robertson cross goalward. The ball slipped inches wide with Bruce
beaten. Tawse
then climbed highest in the box but his header shaved the crossbar. The
pressure was now incessant and Tawse again got on the end of a cross
from the
left only to see his header deflect off a home defender and go out for
another
corner. Controversy raged again in the 86th minute when
Bonella was
pulled down by Morris when clean through on goal. The ref awarded a
free kick
and cautioned the offending player, when a red card seemed more
appropriate.
Ward who had came on earlier then had a rash tackle on Morris which the
ref
deemed a booking. Despite Tawse playing up front with Ward, Robertson,
Bonella
and Hagan the Bluebells could not fashion the equaliser their 2nd
half performance deserved.
Team: Ross, MacMillan,
Dorward, Tawse, Watson, Durno, Leahy (Hagan,70), Cargill, McConnachie,
Blackwood (Bonella, 70), Robertson
Match Stats: Lochee had
12 shots, 0 on target. Tayport had 7 shots, 4 on target for 1
goal (penalty).
Manager’s
comments
This
was a disappointing night for us and
we have only ourselves to blame. We failed to assert ourselves on the
proceedings in the first half. Right from kick off we were sloppy
in
possession and this seemed to set the tempo for the half. Despite
Tayport
having the bulk of possession they threatened our goal on only one
occasion when the
linesman decided Duell was not in an offside position. The second half
was much
better in terms of application but the stats don’t lie and for all our
efforts
we did not have 1 shot on target.
I
will
not hold back if I feel something has to be said, and on this occasion
the
match officials had two huge decisions
to make and both went against us. How the referee can tell Middleton to
get up,
allow play to continue to the other end of the park and then, on the
advice of
a linesman, overturn his initial decision is beyond me. Considering the
ref was
15 yards closer to the incident than his assistant only adds insult to
injury.
The second decision to caution Morris when Bonella was clean through is
again questionable. When asked by a Lochee player why as last man the
offending player was not sent off the ref replied, “He is not the last
man. The
goalie is”! Fair point? Did he not then
deny a goal-scoring opportunity? It appears that some officials either
don’t
know the rules of the game or are too easily influenced.
Strangely
enough if the game had been
played without assistants like Saturday then we would not be discussing
this
decision. Saying that, Arniston felt 2 big decisions went against them
on
Saturday at the same venue. It seems that visiting teams need to score
to get a
draw there. Thanks again to our supporters who drove us on throughout
the match
and deserved better than a 45 minute display.
Lochee United 5 - 1 Linlithgow Rose
13 August 05 East
Region Superleague
Lochee
took only 4 minutes to open the
scoring, when Bonella netted from a Robertson cross.
Linlithgow seemed to rally after the goal and
kept Lochee at bay for the rest of the first half. In doing so
they had to survive a barrage of shots
from Durno, Robertson and MacMillan.
In
the second half Lochee took over where
they left off. Within 4 minutes Robertson was put through by
Durno and
lobbed the stranded Henry Smith for the second goal. In the 64th
minute
a lovely passing move ended in a cross from Durno which Philip Hagan
side-footed
into the net. McConnachie and Blackwood
replaced
Hagan and Bonella. The last fifteen
minutes were a repeat of the first half except this time the barrage of
shots
counted, with great goals from Blackwood and Durno.
Linlithgow took the chance of a consolation
goal when McFadyen headed home a Fallon cross.
Team:
Ross, MacMillan, Watson, Tawse (Leahy,80), Holt, Durno, Hagan
(McConnachie,65),
Cargill, Dow, Bonella (Blackwood,75), Robertson.
Match Stats: Lochee United 17 shots, 12 on target, for 5 goals.
Linlithgow: 12
shots, 8 on target, for 1 goal. target for
2 goals.
Manager
Eddie Wolecki commented, “I hope
the fans were impressed with the performance.
I certainly was. We have shown we
don't intend to give up our title lightly”.