MATCH REPORT : BLUE 7th November 2009

SOUTH MORNINGSIDE ROVERS 3 - 6 BLUE


Our magnificent BLUE squad continued their fine run of form with an outstanding performance away to South Morningside Rovers.  The squad - Alex H, Hamish, Jude, Sam, Coll, Murdo, Joe SH, Joseph Bru and Owen - had to make their way to Meggetland for a slightly worrying fixture against our big rivals.  Meggetland?  That is a rugby place isn't it?  Our New York based match reporter Paul picks up the story...


The match started in the shadow of the rugby stadium with both teams looking eager to make a positive start.  Jude looked great early in the match with a great shot testing the SM keeper.  Some early pressure produced a BLUE corner which was whipped into the area by Alex H and Jude slotted home.  0-1 BLUES.

(Formation looks great!)

SM Rovers soon bounced back.  A couple of minutes later the SM forwards are swarming all over the BLUES defence.  First a shot into the side netting, then some excellent defending from Joseph Bru snuffed out the danger.  BLUE coaching team looked a little concerned.  Murdo got the ball and flew up the right (not really flying, just running fast).  An excellent cross into hte middle finds Jude who once again cooly slots hte ball home.  0-2 BLUES.

As expected SM came roaring back (not really roaring, just doing lots of football things in the Sciennes half).  Some excellent defending from Coll saw the danger snuffed out but the pressure on the BLUE defence was mounting.  A fantastic shot from SM looked a certain goal, Joe SH threw himself at the ball but couldn't quite keep it out.  Goal SM Rovers.  1-2 BLUES.

Alex H took the game to SM and had an excellent run and shot well saved by the SM goalie.  The game was beginning to flow from end to end now and Owen was forced to make two excellent last ditch tackes to prevent certain SM goals.  Joe SH was having the game of his life in goals and was saving everything that was being thrown (and kicked) at him.  One save in the 13th minute with his knees was particularly special.

SM had the ball more than BLUES but the BLUES always looked dangerous on the break.  A fantastic challenge from Coll set Murdo up for another sprint down the wing with the resulting shot well saved by the SM keeper.  Coll and Murdo created a great opportunity to score but a couple of minutes later they were back performing heroics in defence with both denying certain goals with some excellent defending.

Did we mention Joe SH in goals?  He was having a fantastic game.  Some of the saves in the first half were truely oustanding.  BLUE coaches had some work to do at half time but not before another memorable save from Joe who quickly set up a fantastic mazy run from Alex H who just shot wide.  Half-time 1-2 BLUES.

The BLUE coaching team got to work. New formations were discussed, new positions decided, substitutes told to warm up, etc., etc. How would the BLUEs react to this storm of tactical tinkering? By scoring! SM raced forward as the new look BLUES team adjusted to their new positions. Coll, however, pulled off a magnificent save in the 1st minute of the half and quickly distributed the ball. After a slick passing move Sam played the ball through to Hamish who fired home the BLUES third of the day. 1-3 BLUES.

"You are at your most vunerable just after you have scored".  Well done to everyone for proving that theory.  From the kick off SM storm up field and reduce the deficit. 2-3 BLUES.

(Midfield action as BLUE storm to a great victory against SM Rovers!) 

Time for Hamish to take the ball for a run and fire over a dangerous cross.  Guess who was in the middle and scored?  Jude.  Another fantastic finish and a hat-trick for Jude!  What a striker!  2-4 BLUES.

Some great BLUE defending followed with another period of SM pressure.  Coll was just as impressive in the second half as Joe SH was in the first.  Some excellent saves were followed by an unlucky deflection that brought SM back into the game.  3-4 BLUES.

What a game!

BLUES reorganised and some excellent passing moves followed.  Jude was playing a little deeper now and was involved in a couple of great sweeping moves and very nearly added his fourth.  Sam and Hamish was taking up some excellent positions on the edge of the box and from one of these Hamish scored a fantastic goal, smashing the ball into the top left corner to make things a bit more comfortable.  3-5 BLUES.

The whole team were excellent now.  Owen was having his game of the season, Joseph Bru had a couple of excellent shots well saved and Alex H was only denied by some excellent SM goalkeeping.  Sam and Murdo were excellent in midfield and were finding team mates with some great passing.  A BLUE corner led to another stramash in the goalmouth and Owen nearly force the SM defence into an own goal with Same and Joe SH proving encouragement from the edge of the box.

After more SM pressure Murdo played the ball out of defence to Joseph Bru who set off towards goal but was denied by a fantastic save from the SM keeper.  After a short period of pressure a SM corner was cleared by Alex H who picked up his own clearance, ran the length of the pitch and smashed a great shot into the roof of the net.  3-6 RED.

The ref, who had a great game, blew for full time just as the BLUE coaches were planning another mass round of tactical tinkering.  Well played BLUE team, a great performance against an excellent SM team.

BLUES : back Jude, Alex H, Hamish, Murdo, front Coll, Owen, Joe SH, Joseph Bru, Sam

(the big shadow is Herve!)