Dip a la Dokus free kick can’t stop Reds

Carloway 2 – 3 Point

Match Details Here

The Reds continued their winning start to the League campaign with a late Sam Macsween goal to see off a determined Carloway team, who had twice equalised in an enthralling game at Cnoc a cho…..Carloway. The game had a bit of everything and the Red army were delighted to march the points back across the Pentland road, given the winner came with barely 5 mins to go.

First half
The Reds started the game well and outplayed their opponents for the first twenty minutes, passing the ball around well and moving Carloway’s patchwork team around the pitch. Indeed the Blues had a couple of their title winning team making welcome comebacks, with Kevin Gochan and Calum Moody adding experience to their youthful lineup.

The Reds were on top though and in this spell chances came and went for Wally on the volley, Ally Gillies with his head, Stephen Campbell had a shot blocked as well as young Angus Macdonald trying to reach the Garenin Blackhouses with a couple of shots; we need to practice our finishing.

Carloway’s first effort came with a cheeky chip ( I used to buy them from Church Street, came in a polystyrene cup, mmmmm)  from Dokus but Wrighty plucked it out of the air.  Eventually the Reds broke through though ironically it wasn’t as a result of their enterprising play. I think it was another Angus Macdonald shot which got deflected into the path of Ruari Miller, who was having a fine game, and RuarI showed great composure to pass the ball crisply beyond Gordon Craigie into the corner. Carloway 0 v 1 Point (22 mins).

Point continued to play well for the remainder of the half with Stu F, Elliot and Ruari bossing midfield and Ali G and Stephen Ronaldo comfortable at the back. However as long as there’s only one goal in it you have to be careful (cliche alert) and the Reds lost their focus shortly before half time. First, nobody followed Calum Tom’s run from the back which led to his shot being deflected for a corner; then his run into the box wasn’t blocked/challenged as he headed the ball into the net beyond Wrighty.  Another poor goal conceded by the Reds, who are yet to concede from open play. Having said that Calum is a fantastic header of the ball so it’s not easy! Point 1 v 1 Carloway (36 mins).

Half time.
There wasn’t much to say to the lads at half time as they were playing well, just needed to take more chances. We told them that Carloway might change a couple of things and would come out firing at the start of the second half. We would have to match that and hope that our skilfull forward players would get us a goal.
Scott got me and Angus a cup of coffee (each) and a couple of Sportsmix and we were ready to go in the second half. I was linesman in the second half and so Alex Wright’s son Matthew held the cup for me and I took a slurp whenever I got the chance. Strangely the level of coffee never went down though I’m sure Matthew, a school pupil of mine, had nothing to do with it, probably the rain…….

Second half

The Reds were straight on the offensive and forced a couple of corners from kick off.  From the second one Wally put over a cracking ball which pinballed around the box a wee bit before Sam forced it over the line. Ya beauty. Carloway 1v 2 Point (46 mins). The Reds continued to have the lion’s share of possession and were making good progress down the wings, with Angus and Kettings supporting Sam and Alexander well from full back. In the middle Wally was keeping Domhnall Mackay and Cameron Tiger on their toes with trademark darting runs down the channels.
Carloway were beginning to threaten more and Gochan in particular was defying his lack of match sharpness, though he has always been a bit of a machine fitness wise. His forward bursts were complimenting Dokus’ silky touches and giving the Rudhach defence a bit more to think about, a couple of crosses being cleared at the last second. Despite this improvement from the Way,  the Reds should have gone three up after an hour when, during a scramble, Alexander and Stu Flower both had chances which Craigie somehow kept out, unbelievable. I remember when Craigie was a centre forward for Point, all that time he was hiding his talent as a world class goalie!!

After 72 mins Carloway equalised when, after being taken down, Kenny Dokus picked himself up, dusted himself down and curled a beauty into the corner, beyond Wrighty’s despairing dive. Carloway 2 v 2 Point. (72 mins). At this stage I was glad I wasn’t following it on twitter as it was tense enough watching it in the flesh, although maybe I wouldn’t have got frostbite in my toes, it was frrreeezing. The game continued to rage from end to end as both teams went  in search of the winner. The Reds made a couple of subs as Ruari and Alexander were replaced with Mowgli and Spike, who both brought good energy and enthusiasm to the team.

Just when it was looking like two dropped points for the Reds, Carloway lost the ball in their own half 40 yards out. Wally raced at the defence  before slipping the ball through to Sam, racing in from the right wing. Sam didn’t hesitate and hammered the ball left footed beyond a helpless Craigie inside his near post. Yessss!! Carloway 2 v 3 Point (85 mins). From there the Rudhach defence dealt well with all Carloway could throw at them and eventually, after loads of whistling from the travelling Grumblies, referee Dave Macleod (complete with wooly hat) blew the full time whistle. Great performance and vital win.

Point Man of the Match: A superb team performance but Sam Macsween gets the nod for his superb late winner.

Moment of match: Sam’s late goal was a cracker and keeps the positive momentum of the young squad going as we look to challenge at the top. Big league game v Aths at Garrabost on Monday 4th, 7pm.

It wasn’t in the match but during training the other day, Sam tried a fancy move and flicked the ball into Ali G’s nose. It would have been sore but as is the case in football, everyone laughed, particularly Coach Stoodie, standing at the opposite goal.  Well twenty seconds later, Matthew Wright (must have something against teachers) broke through on goal and blasted the ball goalwards, straight into Stoodie’s goolies. Karma.