Team: Millen(Scott), Paterson, Nairne(Cunningham), Blyth, Dunsire(Nairne), Fearn, M.Smith(c), Hogarth, Fleming, Walterson, Alexander(Gray)


Foutainbridge FC’s fifth match of their pre-season again ended in their second 5-3 defeat in as many matches. With what was almost a full team out in the starting XI apart from maybe two or three missing due to commitments, this was a disappointing result. Our opposition had only their XI in total with no subs yet started the game far brighter, with the ball in behind our full backs causing us problems early on. Their back four was a little suspect to similar balls sent down the channels for our strikers to get onto, with both Ian’s and Keith’s movement making space for our midfield supporting runs.  

Castlebrae broke the deadlock around 15 minutes into the game, with a hotly disputed goal. The ball was fed in behind our left back and even though the player who latched onto the pass was marginally onside, the two players arriving at the back post were at least 5 yards offside as the ball was tucked away by the striker at the back post for 1-0. As we did in past games however, the equalising goal came soon after, a corner from Alex Nairne came in from the left and after a strong aerial challenge from Mark, Keith was on it on the 6yrd line to side foot a neat finish into the far corner for 1-1.

The game was opening up now and both sides had good chances to increase their tally, with Nick going agonisingly close to a second for the Bridge, followed by a couple of close calls at the other end. The poor refereeing was not helping our cause, and I was guilty of shouting at the Ref a few times as the half wore on, and was spoken to by him. However the decisions he was making seemed to be leaning against us somewhat. A quick break saw Castlebrae take the lead again with a similar goal to the first with a half volley at the back post again for 2-1, a lead that was increased further by a shocking decision from the Ref. A tussle between Laurie and their winger saw the ball pushed forward with his hand, the Ref waived play-on and the ball was tucked into the bottom corner despite our appeals for 3-1. This then became 4-1 as another hotly disputed goal was awarded to Castlebrae. An enforced sub’ for Fountainbridge was required when Alex had to come off from left back, and Kev Cunningham coming on in his place.

A Castlebrae corner came over from the right and although every player on the pitch saw Laurie being pushed out the way by both hands of the defender who came up for the set piece, the goal was awarded after a scramble in the box was hooked into the net. It was a good finish but should never have stood due to the obvious foul. This seemed to drive the Bridge forward with purpose, and from a ball played inside their right back, Ian was on it in a flash and tucked it away coolly into the same opposite corner as the first. Nick picked up a booking late in the half after a bout of handbags with their midfielder after Nick had been chopped down from behind. With half-time looming, a long clearance by Chris Millen was allowed to bounce by their central pairing, and with Mark chasing the lost cause he was awarded well, as the keeper made a hash of clearing the through ball and Mark had the simple task of knocking the ball into the empty net from just inside the box for 4-3. Mark gave us the best goal celebration of the day with a Klinsman esq’ full length dive along the deck!  

Half-time 4-3 Castlebrae

A change in goal for the Bridge was the only sub’ at halftime, this was to give Niki a run-out after missing the last few sessions. The game had been a rather aggressive affair, with a few suspect challenges being issued in the first half, and this continued into the second, when Tommy was scythed down with a shocking two footed lunge that could have done real damage. This caused an uproar between both teams as the Ref almost lost control of the game. We were on the front foot as the half continued, with Ian and Keith both going close, and Keith being hauled down outside the box by a cynical piece of defending.

As it looked like we would get the equaliser, Castlebrae nabbed their 5 th and final goal. A long cross field free kick was headed in at the back post, with Cunningham being left completely out-manned 3 to 1. It was a poor goal to lose at that stage of the game and it knocked a little out of us. Keith was feeling the effects of a strong challenge in the first half and lasted only another 5 minutes, during which another fight almost broke out when Ian was adjudged to have kicked out at the defender who over-reacted and pushed Ian several times before players separated them. Both players were booked by the Ref. Keith then came off, and John Gray went on into midfield, with Mark Smith going up front.

In a similar foul to the one on Keith earlier, Mark was put through by Barry only to be dragged back off the ball by his top for a foul outside the box, yet on both occasions the Ref deemed them to be non-bookable fouls, even though both were last man situations and by the same player. Ian and Mark were linking well, with both Tommy and Barry showing good touch and vision from the middle of the park. Laurie had to go off due to an on-going back issue, so John Gray moved back into centre back, and Alex came back on into midfield. Ian had a couple of good chances, and on a good day would have had a hat-trick. Mark had a great one on one opportunity, but no further goals were scored by either team.  

Final Score 5-3 Castlebrae. 

Managers Comment:
As in all our previous games, there was still a distinct lack of vocal encouragement and awareness from the outfield players, we HAVE to start talking to each other, and getting names on high balls. This also puts the wind up the opposing players as it shows a determination to get to the ball and win it. Our defence was far improved in the 2nd half with Laurie standing off the 1 st ball and mopping up the 2nd if it broke our way. Our overall performance was good other than a mad 15 min period in the first half when they scored 3 in quick succession, our concentration levels need to improve both after they score and when we score also.

Chris was solid at CB, as was Barry in the middle of the park, and both strikers up front too had a good game, however I am giving the M.O.T.M award to John Paterson at RB for a great showing of guts and a willingness to put a tackle in, also his distribution from free kicks were a welcome addition.

M.O.T.M. – John Paterson

(Man of the Match)

J.