MATCH REPORT : P4 BLUE v St Peter's Primary School...

BLUE 6 - 2 St Peters

On a beautiful autumnal morning Sciennes Blue team lined up on the Meadows against a highly regarded St Peter's team, reports our Chief Football Writer Richard. It was a perfect day for football and Sciennes started with Coll in goal, Joe and Robert in defence, a midfield trio of Sam, Alex and Murdo with Hamish as the lone marksman up front. The game began quietly with both teams playing some neat football and passing well.

St Peters had several early attacks which looked dangerous only to be snuffed out by the good defensive work from Robert and Joe. Gradually, Sciennes midfield got a grip of the game and St Peters began to struggle with the direct running of Alex with good support from Murdo and Sam. The crowd would have been out of their seats (had they been sitting down) when around the 7 minute mark a fantastic shot from Alex H (but it might have been Hamish, so we should say that it was 'Hamex') looked to be destined for the bottom corner of the St Peters goal. However, the St Peters goalie threw himself to his left at the last moment and with a great save managed to turn the ball round the post for a corner. The St Peters support breathed a sigh of relief at the close escape but from the resulting corner a bit of defensive confusion allowed Hamish to grab the first goal of the match. 1-0 to Sciennes.

The Sciennes coaches took the opportunity to make the first substitution of the match with Jude coming on for the goalscorer and Roddy for Joe who had looked very steady at the back.


St Peters were clearly stung by this early reversal and came back strongly enjoying a period of possession without really creating any clearcut chances. The continued solid defending with Coll looking steady in goal kept St Peters goal scoring opportunities to a minimum. As half-time approached Sciennes again began to assert themselves and for a period put St Peters under intense pressure. Murdo was showing incredible energy on the right performing a number of lung bursting runs. Shots were peppering the St Peters goal. However, their goalie was playing a blinder and was pulling off save after save. Jude almost scored the second with a great shot which the goalie turned onto the cross bar. Sciennes did get the ball in the net at one point only for it be chalked off for reasons unknown (something to do with a substitution).

(Murdo breaks through the St Peters midfield)

Then totally against the run of play St Peters broke up the right wing with the Sciennes defence for once undone. The ball was played into the centre ten yards out from the home teams goal. The forward took a touch and then coolly slotted past the outrushing Coll who could do nothing as the ball rolled into the net. 1-1

Spurred on by this success St Peters attacked again down the same wing but this time were thwarted by a great tackle from Roddy. The referee blew for half-time and the teams went in all square. Sciennes felt a little disappointed not to have scored a couple of more goals having enjoyed the greater possession and having played so well as a team. The coaches were happy with the performance though.

As the teams took to the field for the second half Robert went in goal after having had a great first half at the back. Coll moved to right back and Joe came on for Murdo at right midfield. Hamish came on for Sam who had been outstanding in the midfield. In a tactical switch Alex moved to left midfield and Hamish came into the centre.

(Jude checks the goalie has the ball, Joe arrives to double check!)

The second half started off in a lively fashion. St Peters clearly felt comforted by the fact they were still in the match. Both teams were still playing well although Sciennes were at times looking a little exposed by the pace of the St Peters attack. However, St Peters didn't make the most of their chances as Sciennes kept their shape. Then the break through for Sciennes. Alex, moving forward, picked the ball on the left, looked up and buried a shot in the right hand corner of the St Peters goal to score a great goal. This time the St Peter's goalie had no chance and Sciennes desevedly took the lead. 2-1.

The game continued to ebb and flow with St Peters still feeling that they weren't out of it and plenty of excitement for the crowd. But after 5 minutes of the second half Jude struck for Sciennes, brilliantly beating two St Peters's defenders before finishing off with a fine shot. 3-1 to Sciennes.

The St Peters team who had so far played very well began to look a little ragged. Alex bagged his second goal of the day and Sciennes fourth mid-way through the half with another excellent piece of play being finished off with a fizzing shot into the top corner of the net. At 4 -1 the blue coaches were in celebratory mood as Murdo came on for Alex and Sam for Coll.

(Hamish and Murdo are outnumbered in midfield!)

St Peters however still had not closed their account and began to find a little bit more space in the middle of the park pulling back a goal after a period of good play from their attacking players. 4-2 The Blue coaches exchanged worried glances. Their confidence in the players on the park was justified as they stood firm against an encouraged St Peters team who went close to scoring again with a number of good shots. Robert in goal pulled off a couple of great saves when it looked like St Peters must pull back another goal. But then Jude picked up his second goal of the day to put the result beyond doubt. Hamish broke away down the left wing and sent in a great pass to Jude in the middle. Jude controlled the ball and took a couple of steps forward before smashing the ball past the St Peter's goalie high into the roof of the net for another great goal. 5-2.

With the second half seeming to last for much longer than expected Coll and Alex came back on for Murdo and Joe for the last couple of minutes. This was enough time for Alex to complete his hat-trick with another great finish.

Final score 6-2.

(The BLUES : back - Roddy, Murdo, Alex, Hamish, Jude, Roberts, front - Coll, Joe, Sam)

A really good performance against a decent team and a very enjoyable match for the spectator. Well done everyone.