Team: Millen, Barnes(Paterson), Foley, Blyth, Mackenzie, Cherrie(Patience), M.Smith(c), Walterson, Fleming, Alexander, Nicol(Osborne) Subs Not Used: Waddell

With Fountainbridge head coach John Gray currently in Blackpool on holiday, club secretary Laurie Dunsire stepped in as caretaker manager of the team for their match against Alba. Once again the Fountainbridge line-up was very much changed from their previous match and some players were forced to play out of position. In goals making his debut was Chris Millen, at the back Craig Blyth was forced to play in an unfamiliar central defence position with Laurie Dunsire injured and Nick Hogarth absent. At right back making his first appearance for The Bridge was Sean Barnes and in midfield Tommy Walterson played his first match starting on the right side, and in attack was the new pairing of Ian Fleming and Keith Alexander.

The game started at a furious pace and to say it didn't take long to open the scoring would be a massive understatement. In what must have been around 10 seconds played Fountainbridge gave themselves an early lead. The ball was played out to the left from kick off and Keith Alexander picked it up and managed to get the ball into the danger area. It initially looked harmless enough but a deflection off one of the Alba defence diverted the ball past their stranded keeper and into the net. A bit of fortune about the goal but a dream start for Fountainbridge. However joy was to be short-lived as Alba hit back almost immediately as they too pushed forward straight from kick off. After managing to get the ball out wide it was delivered into the box and their towering number 5 got his head to the ball and diverted it past debutant keeper Chris Millen.

Worse was to follow soon after for Fountainbridge as Alba cut through the defence and slotted the ball past Millen to turn the game on its head and make it 2-1. It turned a bit scrappy after this, and a third goal followed for Alba and at this point Fountainbridge were looking a bit shaky. Sean Barnes had to be taken off injured midway through the first half with a groin injury and another debutant came on in his place, John Paterson - usually a midfielder or a striker - made his first appearance for Fountainbridge and slotted into the right side of the back four. After the turbulent start The Bridge began getting back into the game but just couldn't test the Alba number 1. Tempers started to flare as the half wore on as Tommy Walterson got involved with the niggly Alba left winger and Jack Nicol was substituted after a confrontation with the ref - who wasn't doing himself any favours with some dubious decisions against each team. Matty Osborne replaced Nicol in the left midfield role.

Paterson settled into the right back role very well and the defence started to look far steadier, although there was a slight scare when Alba managed to get through and their striker lobbed the ball over Millen's head. The ball dropped over the bar, but for a brief moment the referee gave a goal until he realised his error. Some words were exchanged between stand in manager Dunsire and the referee as things threatened to boil over. The half time whistle came and the referee called representatives from both sides over at half time and made it clear he wouldn't be taking any more abuse from either side.

Half time 1-3

After the two enforced changes during the first half it meant only one substitution at half time - Grant Patience replaced Scott Cherrie and Tommy Walterson moved into the centre of the park with Captain Mark Smith and Patience playing on the right wing.

The second half started almost as furiously as the first and it didn't take long for Fountainbridge to get back into the match as Keith Alexander burst through the Alba defence before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper. 3-2 and it was very much game on.

The team was playing far better now and Walterson in the middle and Osborne on the left were starting to cause the Alba backline problems. But against the run of the play Alba's two goal lead was restored with a scrappy goal after a bit of a goalmouth scramble. The ball rebounded out and fell to the Alba attacker who headed in from close range.

Jack Nicol had by this time come back on the park in place if Ian Fleming, before having to be replaced again by the same player. Fountainbridge did manage to cut the deficit to a single goal again though as a speculative volley from Mark Smith was misjudged by the keeper, who could only help the ball on with his fingertips as it nestled in the back of the Alba net. Once again it seemed like the game was open for either side to take it but a smart finish by an Alba front man made it 5-3 and effectively ended any Fountainbridge hope of getting something from the game. As the game wore on Alba hit a post and both teams had a couple of efforts at goal before the full time whistle sounded. Defeat for Fountainbridge but a decent performance in a game were the side probably deserved a draw at the very least.

Final Score 5-3.


Manager's Comment(from stand in gaffer Laurie Dunsire):
First things first, I'm glad that this should be my only appearance as manager this season - can't wait till John's back at the helm! Nah it wasn't that bad, although I did loose it a bit at the ref in the first 45 at some woeful decision making. I thought overall the team played well today though, I was very impressed with the new guys. Once again the team was too quiet and although individually we have good players we are still a bit rusty as a team - but the fact that once again some players were making their first appearances for the team has to be taken into account. We should have tested their keeper more as I think every single effort that went on target actually went in, he didn't look too confident at all. In goals for us I thought Chris Millen was solid throughout and made a few crucial stops. I though John did very well playing at right back especially as it isn't his main position, and Chris Blyth was excellent in central defence - again not his favoured position. Tommy did well in the midfield and showed some very nice touches and I thought up front Keith looked very sharp indeed. It is disappointing to again come away from a match with a defeat but I really thought we were a better side than them and were unlucky to lose. If we can get these guys playing together week in week out I think we can find the winning formula and start getting some results to match our performance.

It was difficult to choose man of the match, I was stuck between Chris in goals, Chris at centre back or Keith in attack. The fact he managed to get two goals (OK the first was debatable!) I am giving it to Keith. As well as the goals he worked hard and held the ball up well, and I think Ian and him can form a good partnership up front once they get some matches under their belts.

M.O.T.M. – Keith Alexander

(Man of the Match)

Laurie