MATCH REPORT : BLUE away to Oxgangs, 18th September 2010

Blues impressive early season form continued with a convincing away win to Oxgangs.  Our reporter Richard takes up the story... 


Blue Team lined with a couple of changes from previous week with Joe and Roddy away and Freddie making his debut. Game kicked off amid chilly conditions despite the sunshine. Blues quickly picked up from where they left off at double hedges with a nerve calming early goal. Murdo played a great ball into space which Hamish latched onto on the right wing. Hamish fired in a lovely cross which the Oxgangs goalie fumbled under pressure and Alex pounced on the loose ball to put blues into the lead. 0-1 BLUE


Blues carried the game to Oxgangs and had a number of other chances. Jude shooting wide, Hamish just missed with a header. The second goal was worth waiting for with the ball breaking to Alex on the left hand edge of the area. His shot found the postage stamp giving the goalie no chance. 0-2 BLUE.


Oxgangs responded but couldn't find anyway past the defence and with Robert and Sam coping with their infrequent forays into the blue half. After one such attack a great counter led to the third blue goal. Alex played the ball to Jude who then passed to Hamish and then continued his run. Hamish returned the ball to Jude who finished coolly. 0-3 BLUE.

At this point in a serious blow mid-field dynamo Murdo had to leave the action due to injury with Freddie replacing him. With only eight players on the day Blues couldn't afford any more casualties.


Next goal was from Hamish after being found from a clever pass by Robert. 0-4 BLUE.


Oxgangs scored just before half time to give them a little encouragement. 1-4 BLUE.

Hamish still had time to bag his second after a throw in from Alex to see the blues going in 1-5 up at half-time.

Half-time team talk was more of the same please. Coll, who had mainly been a spectator in goal, swapped with Freddie.

Second half kicked off and Oxgangs had obviously had the hair dryer treatment as they looked much more purposeful. Freddie was almost immediatley called upon to make a save. Despite their better start Oxgangs went further behind. A good ball from Coll released Hamish. Hamish was bearing in on goal and looked certain to score when his legs were taken from him pretty cynically. Jude stepped up and banged home the pen. 1-6 BLUE.


Oxgangs continued to make a go of it though and started to apply a bit of pressure. For a period blues looked a little shaky. Oxgangs looked certain to score but hit the post and then another shot went narrowlly over the bar. Eventually the pressure told and a ball over the top caught Blues napping. Oxgang forward finished well giving Freddie no chance. 2-6 BLUE


Blues responded immediately and Alex and Hamish combined allowing Hamish to complete his hat-trick. 2-7 BLUE


At this point Blues thought the game was all over and collectively started contemplating what they might like for lunch. Their tea was almost out though as Oxgangs suddenly made a stirring come back and scored two quick goals in succession. 4-7 BLUE

Then to the Blue coaches horror a controversial penalty was awarded against them. It it goes to 7-5 blues could be in for a very rocky last five minutes. However, Oxgangs answer to Chris Waddle (circa 1990) stepped up and puts the ball into the 'stratosphere' (one for the Ed!).


The Blues regain their composure and close out the final few minutes. Freddie make one terrific save from a powerful drive . Final name on the scoresheet is Jude who is put through and rounds the keeper to make the final score 4-8 BLUE.

Another good display with some really excellent passing moves and movement. A slight loss in concentration in the second half but other than that a really good performance from everyone. Tricky test against St Peters coming up but I think we can do well. Well done the boys!