Westside and Point slugged it out something special on Friday. The play raged from end to end as both teams looked for the knock out blow right until the final whistle, when a number of players sank to their knees in frustration and exhaustion. For the neutral it was a classic. For the fans and management it was an emotional rollercoaster (stressful). In a match which had a bit of everything ultimately both teams had to settle for a point, which I would say was a fair result. The Rudhachs came from behind at half time to lead twice but were pegged back with 7 minutes remaining by a deflected Martainn Shields strike.

First half
The Rudhachs intricate pre match routine was thrown into disarray by two humungous lorries carrying a wind turbine across the Barvas moor. The lorries were going at about 10 mph. It did however give Coach Stoodie and me the chance to quiz Duncan “Khedira” Hunter about his new job and young Angus Macdonald about his school trip to Barcelona. Well once we’d done that we were just about through Newmarket so Coach Stoodie put on Radio 1 which was techno music-didn’t really match the speed we were going!

Anyway we arrived and it was evident the boys wouldn’t need much firing up as they were already well up for the game and fully focussed on the big match ahead. Coach Stoodie named a team which was short three regular starters in El Capitan Stuart Flower, right back speedster Stephen Kettings and midfield enforcer Elliot Rudall. It gave the boss the chance to utilise our strong squad which we knew would be required and the boys who came in performed brilliantly.

The Reds started well and Mowgli was the first to threaten with a volley from a Daniel cross. Unfortunately Mowgli didn’t connect properly and the ball was cleared to safety. A couple of minutes later Angus could only head the ball into Martainn’s path and the West wide boy tested out the Legend Alex Wright with a low left footer which was gathered safely. Westside began to get a foothold in the game and had a couple of dangerous corners which the Reds defended well. After 12 minutes Ali Barvas had a left foot curler clutched by the Legend as West continued to press. However it was the Rudhachs who almost drew first blood when Wally scampered onto a Daniel flick, took on Campbell on the left and shot narrowly wide of Peter Macaskill’s left hand post (13 mins). Woooof inches wide!

Ali Barvas almost broke the deadlock with a long shot which just dipped too late before the West took the lead after 18 minutes. Great work by Innes Ian at Point’s left hand corner flag saw him back flick the ball through Stephen Campbell’s legs and dart along the bye line. From there he did well to pick out Donnie Smith in the middle who deflected the cross in expertly with his left foot. The Legend had no chance. Bad start for the Reds who would have to be careful, as the West have a habit of scoring close together and steamrolling (steamrollering?) teams, a bit like the Highland Amateur horror show which we don’t talk about! West 1 v 0 Point.

The Reds were playing well and were probably shading possession, with the centre backs, Spike and Mowgli all looking comfortable on the ball and starting off moves. Wally was giving Campbell a tough game and almost scored with a long range free kick, but Peter palmed it away for a corner (23). There wasn’t many chances for the next 15 minutes but the game continued to flow, with referee Davie Macleod doing well.

After 38 minutes Wally floated a free kick towards the back post and Peter had to scramble back to to tip it onto the bar. As the ball came down Ally Williamson almost  seemed to clear into his own net but it went for a corner. As half time approached the Reds had a great chance. Good play by Stu Munro sent Sam sprinting towards goal. As Peter came out he looked favourite to gather but in the wet conditions he spilled the ball to Sam 15 yards out, on the angle. Unfortunately for the Reds top scorer he got too much on his shot and it flew inches over. So close!!

Half time
There wasn’t too much to say to the lads, they were playing well. The shout was to try and have a few more shots in the tricky conditions and to maintain their focus. If they kept passing the ball and having confidence in their ability, the goals would come.
Scotty Bomb did a tea run and by heck they make good tea in Barvas. No cakes for me but I noticed Scott had a Scotch pie! That’s taking it up a level, SAVOURY!

Second half
West came out firing and Gordon Campbell shot just wide following a corner as they looked for a killer second. The Rudhachs weren’t even entertaining that thought though! After 49 minutes came the equaliser, and it was a beauty. The Reds played their way out of trouble in the left back area and the ball was swept across the pitch to Mowgli. Mowgli played the ball to Sam who raced clear of Jonny Wallace and hammered it goalward. Jonny slid in to desperately block but only succeeded in deflecting the ball over a helpless Peter Macaskill and into the far corner! Ya Beauty. West 1 v 1 Point.

Not happy with equalising, the Rudhachs continued to press a shell shocked West and following good play by Angus and Sam, the ball was played into Alex “Chopper” Lamb in the box. Lamb took a touch, cut inside a defender and placed the ball beautifully into the corner with his right (wrong) foot. Cool as a cucumber West 1 v 2 Point (53 mins). How long to go? Too flicking long!

From there the game took off with attack and counter attack and attack and counter attack as legs began to tire and players got desperate. After 54 minutes Colin George shot wide for West and after 57 minutes Sam got away again, this time he dragged his shot wide of the far post. Ali Barvas was coming into the game and must have put about 300 crosses into the Reds box but Stephen and Ali were defending the crosses well. The Rudhachs, whisper it,  were beginning to look fairly comfortable. Dont even think that you idiot!! Soon after,  Angus passed the ball back to Wrighty who then passed it back to Angus. The youngster, fresh off the bus from Barcelona, was caught on the ball by Martainn who raced toward goal. His cut back was palmed out by the Legend but only onto the head of evergreen Dan Macphail who headed into the net via the crossbar. Aaaaagh.  West 2 v 2 Point. Bad goal from the Reds perspective. So Frustrating. (65 minutes)

The Rudhachs responded well and regained the lead 2 minutes later. Good play by Alec Lamb and Stu Munro worked a shooting opportunity for Daniel on the edge of the box. Daniel fairly scuffed his shot but fortunately Sam was on hand to control, touch away from the defender and whipcrack a left footer into the keepers left hand corner. Top striking. West 2 v 3 Point (67). Phew, I can’t take any more! I’m glad the cup final was less eventful as reading twitter and texts on this game would have finished me off!

Could the Rudh hold on this time? Well, the next 10 minutes were fairly uneventful as the Reds soaked up pressure and looked to counter. West had thrown on Conner Mackay, another attacker, as they really couldn’t afford to lose this game in what’s turning into a classic title race.

After 80 minutes a corner from Westside’s left was met at the back post by Jonny Wallace, 2 yards out. Jonny caught the ball on the half volley which meant it flew upwards and rather than hit the net, it hit the underside of the bar and ended up in Wrighty’s grateful arms. That was a close one. A couple of minutes later Ali Barvas crossed from the right and for once it cleared the Rudhach heads and was met on the volley by Innes Ian, 3 yards out. Amazingly the select hitman got it all wrong and as the ball spun up, Lamb was there to clear for the Reds. The ball was just coming back at the Reds though and Martainn cut inside from 20 yards and struck for goal. Coach Stoodie and me were were right behind the ball as it took a wicked deflection off Stephen Campbell and gave Wrighty no chance. NOOOOOOOOO. West 3 v 3 Point. (83mins)

Amazingly there was still time for another Rudhach chance. In the 88th minute Alex Lamb crossed from the left, Mowgli somehow smuggled the ball through to Sam who spun and shot in one movement. Time slowed as the ball trundled toward the corner, could it? ……….. No, off the post and soon after the whistle went. WHAT A GAME!

Point man of match: Great team performance but two goal Sam gets the nod.

Moment of match: Sam’s slow motion shot hitting the post. Would have been the Reds first win in New Barvas.

Moan of the match: One of the Red Army was overheard saying the Westside tea was better than the Camp Roo tea! Treason.