Maud PBC 2   Broomhill Juniors 1 (HT 0-1)

ADJFA A League

Sunday 27.9.09

Fraser; Robertson, Calder, Masson, Daniel; Anderson, McLean, Burr, Barbour; Deakin, Gibb

Subs: L Cordiner, R Cordiner, Mair, McCafferty, Simpson, Turriff

A fantastic second half performance turned this match Maud’s way and showed that this team are developing the vital self belief and character to win games against difficult opponents even when they are met with setbacks such as the half-time deficit they had to overcome today. They have always had the ability, a matching will to win is now building week on week.

Maud started with new signing James Gibb partnering Blair Deakin up front. He had a sound debut and with a shade more luck could have notched a couple of goals. He consistently got into threatening positions only to be thwarted by a superb display from Broomhill’s keeper Miller.

The opening quarter produced little in the way of quality build-up play or goalmouth chances with both sides working hard to cancel out opponents they clearly respected.

On 25 minutes a strong run into the box from Gibb gave him a sight of goal and he did well to get away an accurate shot whilst under pressure, forcing a good save.

Burr then played the same player in with a ball over the top but the keeper was alert to the danger and played auxiliary sweeper before James could get in a challenge.

Deakin was next to attempt to set up Gibb but yet again the keeper scrambled clear, albeit this time less convincingly.

Frustratingly, Broomhill took the lead, against the run of play, just prior to half time when a deep looping right wing cross was met at the back stick with a firm header past Fraser.

Maud gradually tightened their grip of midfield in the second half with Burr and Mair imposing themselves on their opponents and directing the flow of play towards their wide players and front men.

This was typified when Burr won possession, battled through a challenge and slipped a perceptive pass to Simpson wide left. Gav played a smart 1-2 with Barbour before firing over a wicked cross but there were no takers.

Broomhill’s luck finally ran out on 45 minutes as Maud levelled. Burr’s strength and determination was to the fore again when he block tackled in the centre circle and skelped an instant low ball into the space behind the defence. BARBOUR reacted quickly but, once more, the keeper sprinted from his line to clear. This time, however, he got into a fankle with a defender allowing Isaac to steal in and nip the ball away before waltzing round the Miller/Hansen impersonators and gleefully side-footing home.

A brilliant spin turn in midfield by Barbour minutes later set him free to charge down the left wing and send a driven cross into the box at an inviting height. Burr had made a terrific run to meet it and leapt well but directed his header just off target.

Maud were winning individual battles all over the pitch now and continued to do so for the rest of the match. None more so than when a Simpson challenge sent the ball spinning infield and Mair bravely headed on despite a nearby flying boot. This put Barbour through again only to be denied yet again by the excellent Miller.

Maud clinched the win in the dying stages, much to the delight of their players, coaches and supporters. Simpson lofted a high ball into the box from deep on the left flank, Barbour rose to challenge the keeper at the edge of the area and it broke to RYAN McLEAN wide right. Although the keeper was now stranded in no-man’s land, Ryan still had plenty to do but clearly took his inspiration from Stevie G’s goal the previous day as he beat his man and sent a steepling effort from the touchline into the net.

A brilliant team performance with stand out performers all over the park. Despite the midfield and forwards deservedly getting much of the plaudits the defence was absolutely immense resulting in Cammy Fraser being largely untroubled with only one shot on target to deal with other than the goal conceded.

Having never beaten Broomhill before this is a breakthrough result for Maud juveniles which should provide a platform for future progress. Having acquired a taste for humbling opponents from Furryboot city the lads can now go into games against all their illustrious Aberdonian opponents knowing that they can beat them.

All we need to do now is develop that winning mentality further and beat them on their own patch. You can do it boys!