It just keeps getting better !

After last week we didn't think we could do the same again but today was just as good especially as we won yet another way game. Throughout the game everyone shoed they wanted the ball which was just as pleasing as the result. Even after 1 minute Ritchie showed our intentions when he got the ball in their box but his shot and was only just wide after some really good build up play. Paul was called into action early just to keep us aware of the dangers when a long through ball from their right into the box was only just saved from an incoming forward. Zander then had a great chance to hit a shot on goal after good play in their box but the waist high volley was off the mark, slightly ! Then after 8 minutes we shot ourselves in the foot, when under no pressure about 40 yards out on our right, Bruce tried to knock a long ball back to Paul but it was way too short and they pounced on it, Paul nearly beat them to the ball but he arrived at it at the same time as their forward who somehow manage do nick it under his body to roll into the net, 0 - 1 and not the way it was supposed to start ! The lads never broke their stride even after the setback and within 7 minutes we were level. John Willox was being persistently fouled from the back as he got the ball at his feet and finally one free kick from about 25 yards out on the right was taken by Zander and it curled around the wall and flew into the net 1 -1 and fully deserved. We kept playing some great football, always pressing but never really creating too many chances for the rest of the half, Ritchie had a turn and shot saved at the post and just before half time more good interplay down the right nearly came off but the ball was cleared.

The 2nd half started with a bang !  After only 2 minutes a great cross from the right by Michael Rae was met on the volley on the edge of the box by Richie and even though he was facing the wrong way his shot flew over everyone head and into the roof of the net, a fantastic goal. Three minutes later another great ball into the box was met by Stevie but as he went past the defender he was clipped and a penalty was given. Jason too it and although the keeper got to it, it came back out to him and he made no mistake with it, 3 - 1. The rest of the second half really could have seen more goals but although John Willox had a few shots on target, the score remained the same until the end.

All in all it was a really hard fought win, looking at the lads after the game you could see the effort put into the game and it paid off in bucketloads. Besides the early mistake there was loads of things going on the park that was great to watch and a lot of good football was rewarded with another great win, one that was copied by Scotland later on !! (Although England did keep a clean sheet and the Rugby boys beat the Froggys, so a good day all roud;-)))

 

Grahams Report

MAUD TAKE THE CORNERS OFF DYCE.

With a reshuffled line up Maud kicked off and almost immediately forced a half chance when Ligertwood sent his shot passed the post. The game was held up for a minute whilst Stephen received some treatment for a rash tackle. In the 10th minute, a poor pass back which was held up by the loose grass, caught out Maud when Skinner went in on the deck as Leask went to gather the ball and managed to get a foot onto it and see it trickle over the line. Slowly coming back into the game, Willox won a free kick about 20 yards out. Up stepped A Davidson and sent in a beautiful curving shot around the wall and into the top right hand corner of the net to bring Maud back into the game. As both teams were pressing forward, both had chances to increase the score line but to no avail. A Very soft foul by Stephen in front of the dugout earned both Stephen and Rae a yellow for disputing the refs decision. A good neat flick on to Willox by Stephen saw the ball pushed through the defence to S Whyte who was caught offside. A weak shot from Ligertwood low down left was well held by Barclay in goals. The first half came to a finish with probably Maud starting to edge out in front. 

Within a couple of minutes, Maud had doubled their tally when an inch perfect cross in from Rae was met on the volley by Ligertwood who made no mistake in finishing off the move. With Maud's confidence rising, they surged forward on the attack when S Whyte was taken down inside the box. Penalty, Up stepped McDonald who sent in the shot low to the left only for barclay to guess correctly and parry the ball out. McDonald on his toes sprinted forwards and made no mistake with the second shot for Maud's third of the afternoon in the 51st minute. Great play in midfield by Willox who held up the ball well and crossed into Stephen whose shot went high right. The next few minutes were taken up as Dyce sent on their subs trying to freshen things up. Ligertwood then received his yellow of the afternoon as Dyce stepped up a gear. Good attacking play by Dyce ground to a halt when a great crossed ball in was missed by the fast incoming striker. In the 73rd minute Maud replaced Willox with A Whyte followed by McDonald receiving his yellow for a hard but fair tackle. Maud went for fresh legs as S Whyte was replaced with Pirie. A good run by A Whyte with a good cross into the box but Maud could not find a way through the Dyce defence. After several rash tackles throughout the game Skinner of Dyce finally received a yellow card in the 83rd minute. A Davidson carrying a knock from a prior foul was replaced by Middleton with 4 minutes remaining. As the clock ticked down Leask pulled off a great clearance as Dyce tried desperately to come back into the game. At the final whistle Maud ran out deserved winners and now look forward to next Saturdays game at home to Luncarty from Perth in the Inter Regional Cup with a 2.15 pm kick off and played to a finish.