This was our first competitive game with our new management team of Keith Stenton, Garry Smith & Paul Wells. Their 1st team selection included a number of young boys signed over the summer, and the opposition was a strong St Cuthberts side expected to compete for the title.

We started the game quite brightly and took the game to the opposition from the off. We createda couple of half chances in the the first 10 minutes but didn't trouble the keeper too much. However in the 15th minute, Saints central defender Adam Johnstone was allowed to carry the ball half the length of the park without a challenge. 25 yards from goal he let fly with a left foot shot which flew into the net off the post past the diving Jack Johnstone to give them the lead. This gave Saints a lift and they tried to extend their lead but our defence kept them out. When they did manage a shot, Jack Johnstone in goal was there to stop them. in the 25th minute we almost equalised. A Paul Neil cross was met by Robert McCormack but his header was to near their keeper who got a hand to the ball but could only knock it down at the feet of McCormack. He stuck a foot out but the ball went narrowly past the post. As the half progressed both teams played some good attacking football with nerither side finding the net. Ogston and McCormack up front were proving a handful for the Saints defence closing them down and forcing errors. Neil & Baxter were putting in some telling crosses from the left and Thomson & Maxwell from the right. But we were ever mindful of the Saints attack as they pushed forward. The defence played well though and chances were few.
H-T 0-1
The 2nd half started with a change of keeper for us as Johnstone was unable to continue with a back problem, so Paul Wells took over. The game ebbed and flowed as both teams continued to play good football and agin chances came an went for both sides.. On the hour mark we went further behind when a corner from the left was missed by our keeper and the ball fell to Nixon who bundled the ball into the net to give Saints a 2 goal lead. Our players responded to this setback by taking the game to Saints as they pressed for a goal. A fierce drive from McCormack was pushed out for a corner by Saints keeper Hutchison. 5 minutes later McCormack had to be replaced when he put in a cross from the right and his follow through connected with a defenders blocking foot. He took a sore one on the ankle and after treatment, he was helped off the park and replaced by a trialist. With 15 mins left Maxwell took a knock and was replaced by Holt who went to right back and Thomson moved to right mid. The changes didn't upset the team and they continued to cause problems for Saints but the final whistle arrived with no more goals scored.
FT 0-2

Both teams contributed to an entertaining game, playing some good football as well as showing determination and aggression to win the ball.

MOM for us was awarded to striker Jack Ogston who, although not scoring, gave the visiting defence a few headaches. This must have been a difficult choice as anyone in the team could have been given the award as there were no failures on the park. They all worked hard and battled for each other for the full 90 minutes.

Referee Mr C Saunders (Dumfries)

DM