North Region Superleague

With a good hiding behind us from last week and a few players missing today it was a backs to the wall attitude today and with some stupid Stoneywood comments prior to the game it was one we didn’t want to lose.

We started brightly enough but 2 minutes in we were a goal behind !

A simple free kick dropped into the box was headed goalwards by Stoneywood, Scott did really well to keep it out but it fell to one of their players on the line who scored. Another easy goal against. We should have easily equalised 6 minutes later when a great timed ball through their defence found Gavin inside the box, on his own with only the keeper to beat but also with Derek running in unmarked, unfortunately Gav took the wrong option and tried to take it round the keeper but ended up too wide and couldn't finish. A guilt edged opportunity wasted. We got one of many corners on 14 minutes and it was played in low to Derek but he shot over the bar. On 17 minutes another defence splitting ball from Jason to Shaun in the box saw his shot scrambled away for a corner, it was taken to Steven Powell and his shot was hacked away off the line.  A couple of minutes later, Steve was having a lot of space down the left, this time he got his head to a corner but it went wide. Then he collected the ball 25 yards out but his shot was right at the keeper. On 26 minutes Jason put over another great ball to Shauns head but it went wide again.  Then on 35 minutes Derek ran down the right inside channel, fed the ball to Richie but his shot was saved when he really should have scored. Then Scott had to be on his toes to keep it to one goal when he saw the ball late through a crowd but made a great save. Almost straight after Derek again passed to Richie but again his shot was blocked. Then just before half time we got a free kick out on the left and Gav hit a low ball that missed everyone and went into the far side of the net for the equaliser. So in at half time with lots of chances but only one goal.

In the first minute of the 2nd half we should have scored twice to put the game to bed, Derek got space inside the box but dragged his shot wide when he should have scored. Then Razor played Richie into the box on the left but again his finishing was crap and straight at the keeper. Then guess what, yes they scored again and after all the pressure we had exerted in the 1st half and at the start of the 2nd a simple high ball from the right went over our 2 central defenders and their No. 9 picked his spot with his header. Just after, Richie had another chance in the box but again he sot at the keeper. It really was all one way and the chances kept on coming but kept on being missed. Eventually ater 29minutes of the 2nd haf we got a free kick out on the right, Gav swung it into the box where Bruce met it at the far post and powered it into the net (I’m being kind!) for the equaliser (he has now scored as many as Zander!) In the remaining 15 minutes we had a clear cut penalty dismissed when Richie was sent flying and even though the ref put the whistle to his mouth he obviously bottled it. Then finally Iain had a thunderbolt of a shot from outside the box that was only just blocked on the line, the ball came back to Derek but his shot was wide.

We had so many chances to win this game today it was unreal, at least it was a point and the play was a lot better, just the finishing left a lot to be desired. That has been something we’ve been missing all season really, we dominate games but don’t score and its not just the last 2 weeks.

Come back Gibby all is forgiven !!!

Match Stats

Grahams Report

MAUD SHARE POINTS AT POLO PARK

With a reshuffled team, Maud started lively but were caught out on the break when Stoneywood surged down the left wing. Mckechnie on the edge of the 18 yard box was muscled out of position allowing Metelski to fire in and Stoneywood take the lead. Hart defended well after McDonald made a mistake in midfield to concede a corner which Powell dealt with. A lovely ball from Hart found Middleton in space out left and setting off down the wing he cut in but rifled the shot into the side netting. Maud attacked again and a good ball through to Jamieson from McDonald forced the keeper into a great deflecting shot and out for a corner. Crossed in it was only a scrambled goal line clearance that kept Stoneywood in front. A good piece of play by Ligertwood who laid onto McDonald who sent in a cross but a fraction too early for the incoming Jamieson to connect with. Good footwork from McKechnie onto Ligertwood whose shot at goal was blocked by Gibson in goals with Hart following up but sent the shot over the bar. Rae received a yellow for winning a challenged ball whilst on the deck but the free kick was wasted by Stoneywood. In the 42nd minute Maud won a free kick wide left about 25 yards out. Up stepped dead ball specialist Middleton and stunned Stoneywood with a shot that ended up in the back of the net for the equaliser. The first half drew to an end with Maud playing some great football but lacking the final touch to kill off the game.

Maud upped the tempo and nearly took the lead with a couple of half chances but that fell to Stoneywood when a mistake by Powell and Middleton not getting back in time allowed a cross in for Brooks to finish off. Maud kept plugging away and won another free kick. again Middleton sent in a shot which this time was blocked and rebounded to Ligertwood who blasted straight into the keepers arms. Gibson cleared a long ball sent in but it hit Ligertwood and went out for a goal kick. Ligertwood again found himself inside the six yard box and just as he was lining up his shot he was totally blocked off by the defender who made no attempt to win the ball. Cries of a penalty fell on deaf ears as the ref waved the protest away and waved play on.  Maud won a free kick about 23 yards out , crossed in to be headed into the net by Bruce Davidson for Maud to equalise. Maud were gaining the better of the play and were defending well from Stoneywood on the break. A good run down the right wing by Ligertwood came to an abrupt end when he was blocked off by Smith. The resulting free kick was launched in by Middleton , cleared as far as Arthur who laid in onto McKechnie who fired it in just wide of target. The final whistle was blown leaving Maud counting the cost of missed chances but the point earned surely will now see them play Superleague football next season. Next week Maud are at home to former Superleague champions Culter FC with a 2.30pm KO.