Conditions today were pretty bad with a howling gale going down the slope and with us losing the toss we ended up kicking off up the hill with the wind in our faces. With Gibby out through suspension and Molby offshore as well as Willox with a dodgy back it meant Kris Milne was thrown into the team for his first full start of the season, no pressure then ! The game was very difficult for both teams but we were seemingly getting to grips with it and the main thing about this half was Leaskies kicking from goal, he was getting a lot of distance on any goal kick and as a result we were managing to take the game to them, they were actually not coping well with the wind and a lot of their long balls were overhit. After 8 minutes Ush got the ball on the edge of their box and put it inside to Ritchie, unfortunately the ball wouldn't come down quickly enough and they cleared when he was in a good position. After 17 minutes their goalkeeper got the ball in his box, seemingly under control, however Kris saw the opportunity of his indecision to kick it and closed him down quickly, the keeper swung at the ball to clear but only succeeded in hitting Kris with it, the ball ran towards the goal and Kris followed it up to score his first goal for a long time, due to injuries, and it was no more than he deserved, 1 - 0 to us. We were trying to play some good football despite the conditions and after 22 minutes Gav found Stevie Whyte on the right, his ball to Razor was then put across the goal but it was inches away from Kris at the far post.  5 minutes before half time yet more harrying of their keeper had it reward when the ball was near the edge of their box, Ritchie challenged the keeper and the ball was hacked clear, it only fell to Kris 20 yards out with the goal gaping he hit a great low shot into the net, 2 - 0 and a fantastic return to the team for Kris.

With the wind behind us in the 2nd half after only 3 minutes Ush had a long range shot that was only just wide. Just after that, following more pressure on their goal the ball was cleared out to Ritchie on 20 yards and his effort went like a bullet into the net for our 3rd brilliant. One 15 minute Kris was replaced by Sisco and just after he came of he got the ball wide right, ran into the box but with the ball running away from him his shot across the keeper went just wide. On 19 minugtes End should have scored a consolation after some sloppy defending the ball fell to one f their players 5 yards out with the open goal in front of him, how he put it over the bar is anyone's guess !  After 22 minutes Gav took a free kick into their box but again Sisco was just off the ball to score. After 25 minutes a great long ball from deep by Bruce found Zander on the left running into the box, he put the ball between the keepers legs and in for our 5th goal.  We were now all over them and it was only a matter of time before the 5th, it came in spectacular fashion when despite saying he had sore feet and maybe wanted off, suddenly Ush found the ball at his feet 22 yards out, he controlled and and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the net before the keeper knew what had happened.

And that was that, a thoroughly deserved win against a team we have struggled to beat in the recent past but this result shows how far the lads have come and it was a very, VERY pleasing win !! It was also good to see Jason getting a few minutes under his belt after his bad injury and with Kris coming back with 2 goals the squad is looking stronger than ever.

Grahams Report

MAUD CRUISE TO VICTORY AGAINST EAST END
With all three of Maud's strikers absent through work, injury and suspension, the management team had to work the magic wand a bit harder for this game. Kicking off against the wind the game flowed back and forth. First chance fell to Maud from a free kick on the left which was crossed in, cleared and sent back in straight to the keepers hands. East End could not capitalise with having the wind behind them as several chances flew over the bar. Finally in the 20th minute the dead lock was broken. Maud broke up the left and opening up the East End defence sent in the shot which was poorly dealt with by Taylor who could only deflect the ball outwards. In came Milne starting his first game in nearly 2 seasons returning from a horrific injury to finish off by sending the ball straight into the net. Two minutes later the game was held up as both Taylor and A Davidson collided with Taylor requiring some medical attention. A good run up the right by S Whyte who laid the ball on for Rae. Sending in an excellent cross along the goalmouth but no one able to latch on to it. As East End fought back, Maud were put under a wee bit of pressure which led to Yeats receiving a yellow for rash tackle. Again in the 43rd minute, Maud pressed forwards and a Ligertwood shot came off the keeper and fell to Milne who shot in through Taylor's legs and into the net. Just before half time Keith picked up a booking for an aggressive shoulder charge.
Starting the second half with now having the advantage of the wind behind them, Maud upped the pressure and within 2 minutes Usher unleashed a shot from just inside the halfway line which narrowly past the right side post. Keeping up the pressure the pass fell back to Ligertwood who connected perfectly and sent the shot straight into the net for Maud's third in the 50th minute. In the 60th minute a tired Milne was replaced by A Whyte. Good play by Rae who sent A Whyte through on target but the final shot went past the left post. Simpson of East End nearly pulled one back as Maud were caught napping but the shot went over the bar. Winning a free kick, Middleton sent in a great ball but was well saved and cleared by Taylor. Again in the 70th minute a great ball from Rae found A Davidson up on the left. Beating his marker he found himself one on one with Taylor, calmly picking his spot he sent the ball into the net for Maud's fourth. As Maud pummelled East End's goal area, Elliot saw red for a dangerous tackle which saw Usher left on the deck. free kick was sent in by Middleton but could not be converted. Pirie replaced Middleton in the 78th minute followed by Allan receiving a yellow for persistent fouling. Good play by Maud's midfield was finished off by a rocket of a shot from Usher about 25 yards out which flew straight into the back of the net. McDonald back from injury replaced Usher as the game restarted. S Whyte was unlucky not to add to the tally as his shot was too strong and went over the bar. Running out well deserved winners, Maud can now look forward to playing Hillhead next week in the ATR cup first round with a 2.15pm kick off.