I don't know why that recently, since we beat East End in the League a year ago, we just can't seem to do it again and even when we went into this match with such a good run of form, the lads just didn't do themselves justice today. East End are a very well organised and physical side but they played more as a team today than we did and in the end it was that what beat us.

With a full strength squad to pick from for the first time this season, the team looked good with a really strong bench (just as well !!). We started off perfectly, after only 3 minutes when we got a corner, Gav took it on the right but it was cleared out to him again, the next cross was right onto Gibbys head and he rose above the keeper to head it home, 1 - 0 and what looked like the perfect start. Unfortunately within 4 minutes they were level, this time from a corner on our left they drove the ball in across the area where nobody seemed to take control and clear it, but it went to once of their players in the box and he hooked it past Paul in goal to equalise. Five minutes later Jason had a shot from way out on the right but it didn't dip enough and clipped the top of the bar and out. After 20 minutes the same fragility in defence was obvious when another simple corner was played in and they were first to the ball to bury it past Paul, 1 - 2. 2 minutes later we were level again when we got another free kick deep on the right, it was taken by Jason, put onto Gibbys head again, he knocked it down to Ritchie was was running in at the far post and placed it into the net, 2 - 2. .  Just after the ball was in their net again from Gibby but it was just offside. After half an hour the ball was in their area again but nobody took control until it landed at Gibbys feet, his instant shot from 8 yards was just inches wide. Ten minutes before half time we fell behind again when they got the ball outside the box, played a nice 1 - 2 and their midfielder placed it over Paul. 2 - 3. Five minutes later another shot from Gibby was saved full stretch and put out for a corner. Just before half time we got a free kick about 25 yards out, Jason curled a great free kick around the wall and into the net for another equaliser 3 - 3.  We seemed to be gifting goals at the back and there were going to be changes at haf time to see if it would change the way we were playing cos the game was there for someone to win.

 

Molby and Zander cam on at the start of the 2nd half for Willox and Gavin, but judging from what I've written the changes made little difference to the outcome. We seemed to be outmuscled in the middle, whenever we got the ball East End closed down very quickly and we just couldn't cope, the balls were not getting up to the forwards and after 13 minutes it was this constant harassing that got them the ball about 20 yards out, their forward took the ball across the edge of the penalty area going past what seemed like loads of defenders then when he had got past them his low shot past Paul gave them the lead for the final time. We put a lot of effort in but the match was drifting away from us, Paul made a full stretch save after half an hour and Molby almost scores with 8 minutes left when he got the ball in their box, turned and shot but the ball hit the outside of the post and bounced to safety.

So yet again we failed to perform against East End, they were more disciplined than us today and played a lot more like a team. Hopefully this will not effect the confidence for the Scottish Cup game next week when we play Cambuslang Rangers at home with a 2.00pm kick off.

 

Grahams Match Report

 

MAUD LOSE OUT IN 7 GOAL THRILLER

Sticking with basically the same team that saw Maud progress in the Inter regional cup, they started well and within 3 minutes Maud had forced a corner from the right. Crossed in and cleared back out to Middleton who this time laid the ball straight on top of Stephen's head who nodded over the keeper for Maud to take the lead. East End didn't sit back and within 4 minutes had pulled back the equaliser. From a corner from the left it was crossed in to the unmarked big midfielder who hooked it past Leask to equalise. East End upped the tempo but it was Maud who came closest to scoring when a thundering shot from McDonald 30 yards out skimmed off the top of the crossbar. Maud were not learning from their mistakes as East End forced another corner from a deflected shot. Again poor marking allowed the cross into the big midfielder who again had the easiest of chances to put them back into the lead. Maud dug deep and a free kick from the right wing was crossed to the far post to be met by the head of Stephen. Heading the ball to the far post it was tipped in past the keeper by Ligertwood for the equaliser this time for Maud in the 20th minute. Stephen took the lead for Maud only for the linesman to rule a very close offside decision. A throw in from the left halfway inside East End's half, was flicked on by Willox to Stephen whose shot from about 8 yards went past the near side post. In the 34th minute East End took the lead again from an easy ball straight through Mauds defence with Wyness finishing off with a lob over Leask in goals. Again Stephen managed to get a shot on target but somehow the keeper got his fingers onto the ball and tipped out for a corner which was wasted. A very shaky clearance by Leask managed to keep East End from increasing their lead. Cries for a penalty for a blatant handball inside East End's penalty area were waved aside by the ref. Maud were awarded a free kick in injury time about 20 yards out on the right edge of the box. Up stepped McDonald who unleashed a rocket of a shot which ended up in the back of the net before anyone could move. The first half ground to an end with East End looking the more dangerous of the two teams.

As the second half started, Maud replaced Willox and Middleton with Murray and A Davidson trying desperately to up the game. Usher found himself lucky to remain on the pitch after getting involved with an East End defender as tempers started to fray. Maud survived a couple of scares as East End pressurised their defence. Eventually in the 58th minute, East End's persistence paid off when the solo striker slipped past four of Maud's players and calmly slotted home past Leask. Another handball goes unpunished inside of East Ends box as Maud replaced Pirie with B Davidson. A great long ball in by Leask was flicked on to Murray who jinxed past 2 defenders but could only watch helpless as his shot went off the outside of the right hand post. The clock ticked down as East End threw on their subs to run down the time remaining and try as they might have Maud had to settle for coming second in this match. Playing against East End has now become like a local derby but they seemed to be the more physical side in this game and ground out the result they were looking for. Maud have got the remainder of the week to regroup and look forward to next Saturday's game against Cambuslang Rangers in the Scottish Junior Cup with a 2.00pm kick off.      

 

 

Jasons goal from the free kick outside the box