Norsco Regional Cup - 1st Rnd

A win is a win, pretty obvious really but after watching us struggle to put 2 passes together all day it took a flash of what we know we are capable of to overcome a very ordinary Broch Utd team today.

We had a few change in todays team but were still capable of easily winning this one, but we really made it hard for ourselves and even tho Gibby put in a half chance from a corner after only 2 minutes it was unconvincing and didn't really test the keeper. A few minutes later a run and cross down the left from Steven Powell nearly crept in but despite landing on top of the bar it looked like it had gone out on the way but as the ref (no comment) didn't notice it probably would have stood as a goal had it gone in, although he would probably have changed his mind then ! We then seemed to resort to long aimless balls that got to no one and although Znader had a few free kicks out on the left, nothing looked like troubling the keeper. Ian Murray almost chipped the keeper but it ran wide and Gibby nearly saved it but his effort was cleared. Five mins from the end of the first half John Usher had our only clear shot on goals but this was from 20 yards out and although it was hit with venom, low, the keeper did well to save and hold onto it. Just before half time a great ball from Ritchie inside their right back to Zander ended with his shot going across the keeper but missed the far post. And that was it, a pretty dismal performance but luckily Broch hasn't troubled us either so all to play for with penalties awaiting if nobody broke the deadlock after 90 mins.

It took us 10 minutes to get a decent shot on target, another long ball down the middle was knocked on by Gibby to Molby but his low shot was held by the keeper. The lads were putting a hell of a lot of effort in but absolutely nothing was happening, then after 23 minutes a bit of real individual creativity at last ! Zander got the ball deep on the left, he went at the defenders and eventually crossed the bal into the middle, it was worked along the edge of their box to Stevie Whyte who had come on as a sub, he took the ball the the bye line and put in a great low cross into the middle of the goal area where Molby tucked it away into the net for his first goal for the club (this time around!) and so broke the deadlock at last. Even though we never really looked under threat, with the erratic refereeing anythhing could have happened and it did 5 minutes later. With a first half soft booking already, Steven Powell was booked again and ended up having an early shower. Not much more happened until the 45th minute when another sub, John Willox, got the ballon the edge of the box and jinked in and out past a few defenders, like a twisty turny thing but his end shot was saved, impressive John !

And that was that !

It was not pretty but we won and also kept a clean sheet so hopefully it will give the lads confidence to go to Stonehaven next week and get a result.

 

 

Grahams Report

 

10 MAN MAUD PROGRESS TO THE NEXT ROUND

Playing Fraserburgh United for the second time this season again in a cup game, Maud started sharply. First chance fell to Stephen from a corner but it was easily dealt with by McRobb in goals. As the game progressed, sloppy play by both teams wasted chance upon chance until United broke upfield catching Maud very exposed at the back. B Davidson on his own managed to stifle the threat and sent a long ball up to Murray who chipped over the keeper and with no one following up the ball ran past an open goal and out for a goal kick. Again Maud were caught napping as Noble set off on a run, beating four markers before being taken down just on the edge of the 18 yard box but the resulting free kick was wasted. As the game deteriorated, A Whyte was kicked on an off the ball incident which strangely was allowed to go unpunished by the ref. As Murray protested he was given a yellow for his troubles. Maud seemed to be lack lustre as United kept attacking until finally a run down the left By A Davidson was brought to a halt by B Hay pulling him back and receiving a yellow. Finally a great ball through by Ligertwood onto A Davidson whose crossed shot slipped part the right side post. 

The second half started the same as the first half finished with some mediocre playing. First real chance fell to United with an attack down the left beating Usher but the final shot was well held by Townson. Murray, beating a couple of markers managed a shot goalwards but again it didn't trouble the keeper. As Heron received a yellow card Maud replaced A Whyte with S Whyte. Again a Murray chip from inside the 18 yard box was held by McRobb until finally in the 68th minute a great ball passed along the edge of United's 18 yard line to S Whyte who took it up to the by-line and sent in a great cross for Murray to knock in and Maud to take the lead. With United's Tait running at full pelt down the line who unfortunately was taken down by a powerful tackle from Powell who having received a soft yellow in the first half saw himself heading for an early shower. With seven minutes remaining Maud replaced Ligertwood with Pirie. In the dying minutes Willox set of on a mazy run but his final shot didn't trouble the keeper. At the final whistle Maud came off as winners in at times not a very pretty game to watch but progressing into the next round of the Norsco Regional Cup. Next Saturday Maud are away to Stonehaven with a 2.30pm kick off. Bus leaves Maud at 12.o clock sharp.