Team: Millen, Foley, Dunsire, Mackenzie, Nyadu, Gray(Hogarth), Ayiku, Fearn(c), Alexander, Fleming(Nairne), Osborne(Patience)


After the euphoria of last weeks win against Longstone, our spirits were high going into a tough encounter with one of the League favourites in Gorgie Hearts at Roseburn yesterday. We were forced to make several changes to the starting XI due to injury and work commitments, with the notable absentees being Chris Blyth, Steve Weare, Kevin Cunningham, Mark Smith and Dave Robertson. Four games in two weeks had caught up with the players and the small bumps and knocks had taken their toll.

In a re-jigged line-up, Cameron Foley slotted back into left back, Isaac Ayiku moved up into the central midfield 3, along with John Gray and Barry Fearn, with Matty Osborne starting his first game for Bridge in left midfield and finally Ian Fleming returning to the right midfield slot.

The game started fairly even, with neither team carving out any good opportunities. The tackles were flying in throughout the middle of the park and both Barry and John were making sure the Gorgie midfield knew they were in a game. Gorgie’s number 9 was causing problems with his height and good touch, and a couple of near misses ran through to the waiting Bridge keeper. Gorgie had the first real effort on goal at the 15 minute mark, when the ball fell kindly to their number 10 but his shot flew wide. Gorgie were having more possession but hadn’t had a shot on target yet, whilst at the other end the Bridge were struggling to make any real impact partly due to the line-up and partly due to the pressure that Gorgie were exerting on us. Gorgie opened the scoring in fairly dubious circumstances on the half-hour when a cross from the left saw Cammy and their winger jostle for the ball at on the penalty spot in the air. Everyone watching could see that the attacker was pushing down on Cammy and using him to reach the cross, but the Ref(?) allowed the resulting headed goal to stand for 1-0 Gorgie. The Ref had been poor to say the least for BOTH teams, but it was such an obvious foul that nobody could believe he let it go. He had earlier let a blatant hand ball go unpunished when a through ball in the direction of Matty on the wing was blocked by the right back who DIVED full length to tip it away, if he had been in goal it would have been a cracking save! The Ref chose to only speak to him, then almost booked John for protesting the decision. From the resulting ball that was swung into the box the ball broke back kindly for John who connected with it sweetly just outside to the box. The shot looked goal bound all the way until a defender managed to get his knee in the way at the last second and the ball was hacked away to safety. Keith then had a great turn and shot right on the edge of the area that smacked off the bar and over for a goal kick, it was a great attempt and really deserved a goal.

From a rolled out clearance from Chris in goal, Laurie Dunsire had too much time on his hands and attempted to pick out John in the middle of the park with a pass along the ground, the pass however was underweighted and was cut out by their midfielder who played a quick pass into their number 10 and he slotted it away into the far corner for 2-0. Laurie put his hands up and accepted the fault, but he had been playing well so there was no blame to be shouldered.

With the half drawing to a close, Ian attacked the right back again as he had done to his benefit all game, and as he surged into the box he cut it along the 6 yard line. Keith was the player who reacted fastest, and knocked a bobbling shot into the opposite corner for a lifeline for the Bridge.

Half-time 2-1 Gorgie

The 1st half had been good, and we were determined to build on it in the 2nd, there were no changes at half time and the same XI took to the field looking for the equaliser. The game was end to end in the first 10 minutes of the half, and it was Gorgie who added to the scoring with a great bullet header from a corner on the left for 3-1. The dodgy Ref got back in on the act again when he whistled for a drop ball in our penalty area after a ball had spilled onto the pitch at the OTHER end! After a quick chat the Bridge players agreed to play the ball out for a Gorgie throw in. At the other end the Bridge came close with a couple of free kicks, but we weren’t picking out passes enough to cause any real danger. Ian had the edge on his right back against him, and he continued to cause trouble down the right, but too often the ball was being knocked forward to nobody instead of picking out players such as Ian and Keith.

3-1 became 4-1 with another headed goal from a corner on the left again, their big number 9 jumping well at the back post to widen the gap further. Our team’s effort could not be faulted, and Kofi Nyadu in particular was having a strong game in our defence, and Ian was giving a strong showing at right midfield. The lead was increased even further when their number 10 made a strong run down the right past a couple of challenges and into the box. Our keeper was caught in two minds whether to come out and narrow the angle or whether to stay on his line. He stayed on his line and the striker powered in and fired the finish past him for 5-1.

With around 20 minutes to go, Matty was replaced by Grant Patience in the left midfield slot, then an enforced change had to be made minutes later when John Gray was crudely stood on TWICE on his ankle after putting a challenge in on their number 9. With our player lying prone in the opposition half, the Ref continued with play until the ball was finally booted out again. After some treatment John only lasted a couple of minutes before being replaced by Nick Hogarth, and Ian made way for Alex Nairne to come on for the last 10 minutes. There were a couple of half chances for either side, and the Gorgie player/manager cracked a shot off the bar that was then headed over by the onrushing striker who was offside anyway. From a long throw in to the Bridge a scramble in the box saw both Grant and Barry fight to get possession from the defence, and Barry was on hand to knock in an effort from a few yards out for 5-2. With only 2 minutes to go, their number 8 picked up the ball around 25 yards out a placed a great finish high into the corner of the net for the final and best goal of the game.

FINAL SCORE – 6 - 2 Gorgie Hearts
 

Managers Comment:
Although Gorgie were worthy winners in the end, the scoreline more than flattered them a little, with maybe 2 goals being the difference between the teams. There was not a single player who played badly for the Bridge, but the changes that were enforced on us prior to the game didn’t help the cause. The fact that the 1st goal came after around 30 minutes shows how much we had improved at the start of games. The effects of 4 games in 2 weeks really did show on us, and I can only look forward to a quieter period of games from now on.

Best in the Tangerine were Ian, who terrorised the RB and was full of running, Barry patrolled the middle of the park well, and Keith ploughed a lone furrow up front . However one player stood out yesterday and played a brilliant match, so the M.O.T.M goes to KOFI NYADU for his all round ability at the back to mop up any danger and his excellent heading for the entire game.



M.O.T.M. – Kofi Nyadu

(Man of the Match)

J.

Player Ratings:
GK – Chris Millen (7 out of 10)
RB – Laurie Dunsire (7)
CB – Johnny Mackenzie (7)
CB – Kofi Nyadu (9)
LB – Cameron Foley (7)
RM – Ian Fleming (8) (Alex Nairne (6) )
CM – Barry Fearn © (8)
CM – John Gray (7) (Nick Hogarth (6) )
CM – Isaac Ayiku (7)
LM – Matty Osborne (7) (Grant Patience (7) )
STK – Keith Alexander (8)