The Reds lost out to a very good and experienced Loch Ness team in the Highland Amateur Cup. After losing an early goal and a whirlwind start from their opponents, the Rudhachs gradually got back into the game, although they last another goal before half time.

Debut boy Steven Dunn scored early in the second half to halve the deficit but a few minutes later Point talisman Wally Maciver got sent off for two yellow cards, the first of which was very innocuous given some of the fouls that had gone before! To make the Rudhachs even angrier, Andrew Morrison had been taken down when clean through mins before, a clear red card, but the referee chose to administer a yellow. Having said that, the general consensus was that the better team on the day won, and the Rudhachs maybe missed the power and work rate of regulars Hugh Morrison, Stew Munro, Andrew Macmillan, Angus Macdonald and Ali Gillies, who were all unavailable. The Reds battled well until the end but to no avail and it is the Inverness side who go on to play Westside in the next round.

Wally Maciver and Angus Macdonald scored 2 goals each as the Rudhachs scored 4 again at Garrabost to join Ness at the top of the league!  In particular, Wally’s incredible left foot volley will live long in the memories of the packed out Camp Roo!

The Reds started off well and Angus had a good chance but he skewed his shot wide. Thereafter Lochs came into the game with John Uig and Andy Murray dictating a lot of the play. The Rudhachs slowly got back into the game and for a while it was very cagey with the ball spending too much time in the air for the purists, such as Calum Kipper, Donnie Mata and Alec Dan. After about half an hour a slip by Ali Laxay in the Lochs defence let Angus get away and head for the goals. As Big Peter Mackenzie slid across Angus cut inside before burying the ball back into the corner with his left foot. A brilliant piece of play by Angus, especially give it was his first game for the Reds this season. He has however been playing very well for Glasgow Island.

The Reds held on to their advantage until half time. In the second half  the Rudhachs blitzed the Maroons in a pretty crazy 20 minute spell. A nice ball by Andrew Murray was controlled by Angus who spun at the edge of the box and hit the ball first time  across James and into the corner. Another fine goal. Angus then turned supplier as his header sent Wally through on goal. He got tackled quite heavily but stayed on his feet to flick the ball past the keeper. Lochs were reeling and their frustration was beginning to boil over as they accumulated a number of bookings. Lochs’ Andy Murray gave them a flicker of hope with a cracking volley which unfortunately cannoned off his Rudhach namesake and into the net. Game on as the Lochies raced to get the ball. Any hope Lochs had was pretty well extinguished when Wally hit a headed clearance first time from the corner of the box into the opposite corner of the net, with his weak foot!! It was a stunning goal in pretty much the first game of ours that hasn’t been filmed (where’s Peter O Donnell when you need him?).

Lochs went down to 10 men for the last 15 mins or so when Lewis Mackenzie was sent off for two yellows. They subsequently went a bit gung ho and if the Reds had been a bit better with the final ball they could have scored some more. Lochs got a further goal back near the end and as play opened up Rob Jones missed a great chance to make it 5! Jonny made a fine save right at the end to stop it being another 4-3 nailbiter!.

The win sets the Rudhachs up nicely for the trip to the mainland on Saturday, where they will play Loch Ness in the Highland Amateur Cup. The opposition are a very good team in the Inverness league so it will be tough for the Reds but we are on good form at the moment! Kick off is 1230pm at Bught Park. There is a bus booked and any fans who want to go should get in touch with a committee member.

Reds win Broadbay derby

For the third game in a row the Rudhachs won a 7 goal thriller by the odd goal. The Reds are playing like Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle at the moment and “we would love it” to carry on, as long as we keep winning! Yet again it was Robert Jones who scored the winner, latching onto Andrew Murray’s classy through ball to stroke beyond the keeper. Jones has been in great form this season and has scored the winner in the last two games.

Wally started the scoring with a cracking lob over the onrushing keeper. The ball seemed to take an age to go in but bounced perfectly into the empty net. The Reds were on fire early on and Jones escaped his marker soon after to bullet home a header from a Wally corner.  Slowly but surely though  Back came into the game and Gordy Maciver’s free kick was well placed into the corner, although Johnny in the Point goal will feel he might have saved it. This gave the Bacachs momentum and soon enough Joel Martin tucked home a rebound after Johnny had saved Chris Macleod’s shot. Great come back by the yellows(away strip) and it got better when Chris Mackay reacted quickest after a free kick had been flicked on by Chris Macleod to fire the ball home. The Rudhachs were reeling although both Andrew Mackay and Wally missed great chances to score at the other end.

Into the second half and the game settled down a bit. Point were on top but couldn’t score, while Back looked dangerous on the break, particularly through Joel Martin and Stevie Mutch.  Eventually the Reds equalised when Jones followed up a saved penaty from Wally and was able to bundle the ball home, although it looked like Craig Macleod might have got the final touch. The penalty was of the stone wall variety after Andrew Mo had been wiped out by the keeper after knocking the ball past him. Soon after Jones ran onto Murray’s long ball and finished assuredly with his left foot. A perfect hat trick? Left, right , head. Well it was certainly perfect for the Reds and their supporters.

The Reds eventually overcame a stubborn and hard working Aths team, courtesy of a last minute goal by Robert Jones.

On a blustery evening it was the Rudhachs who drew first blood when the Aths defence misjudged a high, spinning, swirling ball and Wally was on hand to score a fairly straightforward goal by his standards.  Thereafter, Point had a good spell and could have added to their tally but for some good goalkeeping and poor decision making with the final ball. All that changed though when Mikey Jones played the ball through to a marauding Darren Stewart for Aths. As Jonny came out to grasp the ball, Darren nicked it beyond him and the keeper’s slide took him into Darren. Not many complaints from the Reds and Conner Maciver duly stepped up to draw the hoops level. It was to get better for the Townies when Mikey Jones slipped the ball past Jonny for a good counter attacking goal, although the Rudhach defence was all at sea. Soon after the ref blew for half time and the Rudhachs headed in shaking their heads at how poorly they had performed in the latter part of the half.

Into the second half and the Reds started with renewed vigour and purpose. Elliot got the Rudhachs level with a curler into the top corner made all the more impressive by the fact he was really stretching for the ball when he hit it. Ali Gillies then made it 3 2 with a long range free kick which drifted over the keeper into the same top corner; we had found his weak spot! Not sure Ali meant it but the crowd were loving it! Aths weren’t done yet however and when the ball broke to him kindly, the centre forward (?) buried it beyond Jonny to make it all square at 3 each.   Another classic at the Camp Roo!

As the clock counted down,  Aths centre midfielder Sean “Bayble” was sent off for a lunge at Hugh Morrison, who after a bit of treatment was able to continue. Elliot almost scored from the resultant free kick but couldn’t stretch his big toe. The stage was then cleared for Robert Jones, who collected a neat lay off from Wally before bursting clear and slotting past Reece Montgomery in the Aths goal. The elder Jones would have been particularly pleased as his brother had earlier scored for Aths. Bragging rights at the dinner table assured!

Point’s next game is away to Broadbay rivals Back on the 21st May.

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The Reds crashed out of the Highland Amateur Cup with a gut wrenching defeat to an impressive Maryburgh side. Whilst there is no disgrace in losing to a very good outfit, the manner of the goals the Rudhachs lost will cause many a sleepless night. All three Maryburgh goals came from corners, with two of them particularly tough to take.

Point team: Gordy, Hugh, Angus, Elliot, Daniel, Andrew Mu, Jones, Andrew Mac, Wally,  Andrew Mo, Stew. Subs: Matthew C, Alfie, Spike, Scott, Macca.

The Reds started well with Andrew Mac getting away down the right a few times although the Maryburgh defenders dealt with the crosses fairly comfortably. After ten minutes the Rudhachs took the lead and what a cracker it was. Andrew Morrison received the ball twenty five yards out, twisted and turned away from his marker and hammered the ball into the top corner. Waaw. Take a bow son! It was exactly the start the Reds were hoping for and a fantastic strike by the young Hearach.

Things were about to take a sinister turn however as a good bit of play by Maryburgh followed by some panicky defending by the Reds led to a corner on the right. Always beware the left foot in-swinger and so it came to pass as the Maryburgh left back Deon McAlister curled a cracker of a  corner straight into the net, up and over Gordy’s despairing jump. It was a very disappointing goal to lose and left the Reds reeling as the mainland Blues took over for the next twenty minutes. It’s always quite tough playing an unknown quantity and despite having a few mixed reports on Maryburgh, they were proving to be the best team the Reds had faced this season. Indeed, aside from Avoch and Wick Groats, I couldn’t find evidence of them losing many games since they reformed a couple of years ago, earning promotion in their first season. Apparently they have a lot of ex County apprentices and youth team players in their ranks.

A fairly even first half ensued, with Point’s best chances coming down the wings where the two Andrews seemingly had the beating of their men. The Reds were however missing the composure and organisational skills of their skipper Ali G who was away on the mainland. The added knock on effect was that we had to play Angus at centre back rather than further up the pitch, where he has contributed nine goals this season.

Maryburgh were dangerous at set pieces and had a good chance to take the lead but the striker headed the ball wide when well placed from a free kick. At the other end the Reds had a couple of chances from the edge of the box but the shot was either blocked or hammered wide or over.

Whilst Stew was leading the line well, we were struggling to get Wally into the game as Andrew Murray and Jones were involved in a mighty scrap in the middle of the pitch with their opposite numbers. Maryburgh had the physical edge in there whilst the Rudhachs  had the technical edge.  The pitch itself was in great nick although following a dry spell the ball was sticking somewhat.

The young Maryburgh right mid, who had a lovely touch and good balance when running with the ball, was giving Daniel a tough match although the Point full back was coping admirably, despite being harshly booked early on for his first offence. One of  the biggest differences in this match where Point were playing their hardest opposition of the season was the lack of time the lads had on the ball. The Reds have been used to dominating possession and basically having the better of the general play locally, but this match was a different proposition altogether. Our first touch was being tested as well as our split second decision making. It all made for a very close match that would be decided by a moment of magic or slackness in defence.

In the second half the game continued at break neck pace, both young and fit teams struggling for supremacy. The Maryburgh centre forward Russell Mcintyre was quick and very illusive, giving Elliot and Angus no time on the ball and giving them a tough game, although the Rudhach stoppers managed to keep him from getting away from them. After an hour or so Maryburgh took the lead and it was a cracker. Following another avoidable corner give away the ball was recycled back out to the left back McAlister who had advanced towards the box. He took one look and lashed the ball into the far top corner, a cracker of a finish and the Rudhachs were really up against it now.

Things were about to get worse for the Reds as goal scorer Andrew Morrison had to limp off following a nasty foul where his ankle buckled under a heavy challenge. Things were going badly and when Wally’s football boots decided to give up the ghost with him having no replacements, well, it couldn’t get much worse. Matthew Campbell generously dashed home to get a spare pair for Wally.  With around fifteen minutes left Wally won a free kick on the left. As he hurriedly swapped boots Stew Munro floated the kick in to the box. The ball was knocked diagonally across and there was Rob Jones to nod the ball past the Maryburgh keeper, you beauty!

As the game headed towards the final few minutes a Maryburgh free kick was headed away for a corner for the Black Islers. Had the Rudhachs learned their lesson? Sadly not as the smallest man on the pitch Russell Mcintyre was able to gain a yard and loop a header in off the cross bar. Noooo! The Reds pushed and pushed for another equaliser. Stew shot tamely into the keepers arms after doing really well to make a yard. Andrew Mac cut the ball back to Jones who whipped the ball narrowly over the bar and with a couple of mins left  Wally had a great chance. Stew hurled a long throw into the box and as it bounced about it fell at Wally’s feet, 6 yards out in a central position. He  hammered it low and hard but the scrambling keeper Iain Mackenzie, who’s dad George is from Point, flung himself along the line. The ball hit the keeper’s heel and spun agonisingly wide of the post. They say “you always get a chance” and that was it. Stew shot wide from long range moments later in the final play of the game as the Reds Highland dreams faded to an agonising finish.

Reaction: The lads were all devastated after the game. We hadn’t played as well as we could, partly down to the quality of the opposition. However, the most frustrating thing was the manner of the goals we lost- we can’t gift a couple of goals to a good team and expect to win. A harsh lesson but one that this developing team will learn from. Focus know turns to winning as many cups locally as we can and trying to climb the league table. Cmon the Reds!

Point man of the match: Stew Munro. Was a handful for the Maryburgh defence all game. Andrew Morrison was also having a very good game prior to his injury, and his goal was a real cracker.

The Reds began their long journey up the table  with a hard earned victory over United at Goathill. The goals came  from Ali G, Angus and a late Wally penalty after Hamish Macdonald and given the townies the lead.

Point Team: Gordy, Hugh, Ali G, Elliot, Matthew C, Jones, Andrew Mu, Andrew Mac, Wally, Angus, Stew. Subs: Daniel, Macca, Andrew Mo, Alfie, Spike

Point started the game well, pinning the Tangerines back in their own half, but as has happened so often this season, the opposition scored with their first shot on goal. Having had countless corners and shots blocked by the United defence, the Tangerines broke away after 25 mins; Kenny Macsween was able to feed it to Hamish and as Gordy came out he slipped it underneath the Rudhach keeper and into the net. Coaches Stoodie and Macaulay were dumbfounded as memories of Lochs and Carloway resurfaced. This can’t be happening!

As usual United keeper Jack MacLennan was in top form and he denied Angus Macdonald from close range as the Rudhachs pushed for the equaliser. At the other end Hamish had a shot blocked as the Reds wobbled a bit after conceding the opener. Eventually the pressure told for the Rudhachs though, and it was a cracking Ali G header from Wally’s pinpoint corner which gave Jack no chance. There was still time for the Reds to take the lead before half time and it was Angus who got in behind the left back to steer the ball home as Jack came out. What a turnaround and the Rudhachs went in to half time a lot happier and relieved than they might have been.

As the game progressed the Reds started to play really well, with Stew Munro and Wally linking up brilliantly and causing the United defence no end of problems. For all that though, the United back four and goalkeeper continued to thwart the Reds advances (one save from a header was outrageous) and while it was 2-1 there was always a danger that we would be caught on the counter again. Eventually the Rudhachs got the third goal and it came after a wonderful bit of skill and power from Stew. Receiving the ball on the touchline standing still, he did the old classic of knocking the ball one side of the defender and collecting on the other. As he made his way into the box the defender who had been beaten attempted to tackle him from behind, never a good idea in the box. Referee Macleod had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Wally did the rest, sending Jack the wrong way.

The Reds were able to see out the match comfortably and  start their march up the table. Where that will end, you just never know…..

Point man of the match: Stew Munro. Showed great pace and power and a fantastic touch throughout.

Second leg:
The under strength Rudhachs set up a mouth watering semi final against holders Carloway with a determined and brilliant defensive display against a good Harris team.

Point team:
Ally L. Kevin, Macca, Daniel, Matthew. Andrew Mac, Spike, Andrew Murray, Alfie. Alexander, Cage. Subs: Andrew Mackay (for Alfie), Sean (for Andrew Murray)

A depleted Reds team went down to Rally park with a big lead but with some big names missing. No select trio of Wally (injured), Angus (working) or Ally G (Stag doo) who all played in the first leg. Stew Munro and Scotty Bomb were other notable absentees (work commitments). This must have given the Hearachs a boost prior to the game. That and the fact that the Rudhachs had crashed out of the Highland Amateur barely 48 hours prior to the game meant that a massive come back might well be on the cards. I think Westside came back from four or five one down to beat Ness a couple of years ago……. Not today though Harris as the Reds defended brilliantly, ably led by Macca and Daniel at centre back.

There wasn’t as much goal mouth action as in the first leg but Point shaded the first half and deservedly took the lead when Daniel’s excellent diagonal was headed down by Andrew Mac to give Zander the chance to pass the ball confidently into the corner. As in the first leg Andrew Mo was the Hearach’s biggest threat but Daniel and Matthew were covering well down the left hand side. Alfie had a good chance for Point but he volleyed over after doing well at the back post.

At half time the message was to keep working hard and not give the Hearachs a sniff at a momentous come back. I didn’t realise at the time but Harris were desperate to simply win a game as it had been a while, maybe since their 2013 Eilean an Fhraoch final victory against Westside, one of the biggest underdog stories in recent years.

In the second half Harris played well, dominating much of the play without really threatening the Point goal. Hugh Morrison (another adopted Rudhach) started to take control of proceedings, running with the ball well and setting up half chances for others. Andrew Murray had to limp off the field with a dead leg and Alfie went off with cramp as the game wore on. The Reds had no more subs and also some players who were short of match practice. Eventually the pressure told and like in the first leg it was Kenny Macsween who escaped in the inside left channel to steer the ball beneath Ally in goal. The Rudhachs had to regroup and stay solid for the last twenty. Harris almost took the lead when Jamie Fraser broke through, but Ally was out sharply to block his shot. Moments later Jody Sheils’ free kick struck the cross bar as the Blacks pushed for the win.

As the Hearachs continued to push they threw Big Taz forward in search of a winner, but as is often the case they got done on the counter attack. Andrew Mac did well to win the ball in midfield. He played it through to Alexander who took one look before rifling the ball into the net beyond the despairing Harris keeper. That was the last real action of the match as ref Smith blew the whistle shortly after. Tough luck on the Hearachs but a great win for the Reds who showed great concentration and worked hard throughout.

Point Man of match: Daniel Macleod. Played superbly at centre back, a position he had never played before!

Moment of match:
The whole tie was played in great spirit and the referee even commented on how easy his task was tonight. Hard but fair. After the game we retired to the Harris Hotel for some food and drink. It was great of Harris to host us so well and just a pity it was a Monday and not a Friday! Thanks Stevie and Angus.
Big respect to the travelling Red army too. There must have been about 10 Ultras down watching; good going considering Saturday’s disappointment.

First Leg:
Point 5 v 1 Harris
The Reds took a giant step towards reaching the semi final with a convincing win over Harris at the Camp Roo. The biggest difference between the teams was highlighted by the Rudhachs two best players. At one end Angus Macdonald scored four goals for the Reds whilst at the other end keeper Ally Lamont was inspired and had 3 or 4 excellent saves.
Point team: Ally L. Andrew Mackay, Ally G, Macca, Matthew. Andrew Mac, Spike, Andrew Murray, Daniel. Angus, Wally. Subs. Kevin Flower (for Spike), Alex Lamb (for Andrew Mackay), Cage (for Angus), Euan Macdonald (for Andrew Mac), Alfie (for Daniel)

The Reds started well although it took a good 20 minutes or so before they broke the deadlock, Angus curling the ball nicely beyond Sweeney in the Harris goal following a corner. It wasn’t long before Angus made it two when he stroked the ball into the corner following a flowing move. At the other end Ally Lamont produced a brilliant left handed save to deny Harris’ Andrew Morrison, a player the Rudhachs normally love (he plays for us in the other senior competitions) but a real menace tonight!

Harris struggled for the rest of the half (they don’t play together much) and this period was essentially when the tie was won. Further goals by Angus and Macca from a corner put the Rudhachs in control at half time.

The Hearachs came out in the second half with renewed vigour and in midfield duo Jody Shiels and Hugh Morrison they had an excellent engine room, although Spike (and then Kevin) and Andrew Murray were matching them. Eventually the Hearachs got on the score sheet and it was Kenny Macsween who managed to break through before sliding the ball under Ally and into the net. For the next 15 minutes the Hearachs took it right to the Rudhachs but were thwarted by a combination of good defending and brilliant goalkeeping, whilst at the other end the Reds looked like scoring whenever Angus or Wally got on the ball.

After about 70 minutes Angus tore away down the left before cutting inside and burying the ball beyond Sweeney. This seemed to deflate the Hearachs a bit and the game then drifted for a while, interrupted by a flood of substitutions. Alex Lamb did send Cage clean through with a wonderful pass but the striker could only knock the ball wide. There was still time for another great save by Ally to deny Shiels from a free kick before the ref blew the full time whistle.

Point Man of the match: Angus Macdonald. Big thumbs up to Ally Lamont too.

Moment of the match: One of the Harris defenders passed the ball back to debut boy Sweeney in goals. As the Niseach legend went to trap the ball it went under his foot and there was much hilarity as he desperately sprinted(!) back to get the ball which fortunately for him slipped past the post and wide.

The Reds lost their fourth league game out of five, losing 2 0 to a determined Carloway team. Despite having the majority of possession and corners the Rudhachs could not convert their territorial advantage into goals. Two inspired breakaway goals by Andrew Tago Maciver gave Carloway the three points. To save me having to write one you can see a very good report on this match by Carloway fan Stuart Rankin if you follow this link: http://www.carlowayfc.co.uk/modules/news/news.aspx?newsId=226593 There are also some good photos of the game in the gallery section of their website. Thanks Carloway, but maybe leave us the three points next time!