Team: Millen, Cunningham(Strevens), Paterson(Foley), Blyth, Fearn, Mackenzie, M.Smith(c), Weare, Fleming, Alexander, Foley(Patience)
Subs not used: Waddell, Cherrie


After the euphoria of Thursday’s win over Alba AFC, Fountainbridge were brought crashing back to earth with a very poor defensive display leading to a thumping 6-3 defeat against a St Andrews Select XI. Although the final scoreline flattered the opposition, our performance was marred by glaring errors at the back and some unlucky/poor finishing at the other end.  

The game started brightly for the Bridge, with the players trying to bring the ball down and play football despite the swirling wind across the pitch. The opposition were showing some nice touches in the midfield, with their captain and an Ivan Campo look-a-like causing us problems with their ability to make space for a pass, and with their link-up play with their forwards. Overall for the 1st 15 minutes it looked like there would be only one winner, however with the Bridge beginning to dominate the game, we went 1-0 down through a ball played down the channel between the RB and CB, which was tucked away well for the opening goal. It was disappointing to say the least, as we really had been controlling the game on a difficult pitch. Keith then showed why he is our top scorer with a turn and shot that would have graced an SPL side, with the resulting shot from 20 yards being well parried by their keeper. Cammy had to come off from LM after struggling with the solid surface, and was replaced by Grant Patience. Grant was into the action straight away, exchanging passes with Keith to put a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but there were no takers.

Worse was to follow some 10 minutes later when the lead was extended further with a finish from the speedy striker from around 8 yards for 2-0. John Paterson had a great effort saved by their keeper with a rasping volley from all of 30 yards. It was a fantastic effort and showed great control and technique. We then started to turn the screw with a maintained period of pressure that lead to chances for Ian, Mark, and Cammy, however none found the net to get us back in the game. With only seconds left in the half we were thrown a lifeline by an error by their keeper who had been performing well up to this point. A long looping cross from the right side was met by the keeper, but he only succeeded in punching it up in the air and as it came back down there was Keith to knock a header over the covering defender and into the net for 2-1.

Half-time 2-1 St Andrews

We didn’t make any changes at half-time, as we were hoping to keep our momentum going at the start of the 2nd period, however someone never told St Andrews . With us looking to start off on the right foot, our concentration was not what it should have been and a scramble lead to a finish for 3-1. This really was the one that took the wind out our sails, and they threatened to go further ahead minutes later only for it to clear the bar.

The Bridge knuckled down and weathered the pressure to begin playing the ball around again, and an early chance of the half fell to Steven Weare, but he chose to try the pass instead of shooting. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice however and brought us right back into it on around 60 minutes with a great half-volley finish high into the net for 3-2 from around 10 yards.

Grant had really begun to come onto a good game with him stopping their RM getting forward after he came on in the 1st half, and he almost stole himself a goal when Keith rounded the keeper and dinked a great ball to the back post. Grant arrived on it perfectly and connected with a downwards header only to see his opposite winger knock it off the line. A tactical substitution from the Bridge saw Kevin Cunningham coming off from left back and Alan Stevens coming on to make his first appearance in four matches. It was all hands to the pump now for St Andrews, as we threw everything at them, and when Ian and Steven W combined to set up Mark on the edge of the box it looked promising. Mark struck a fierce low drive across the keeper , and it looked a goal all the way but for the superb one handed save from their outstanding keeper. The ball fell kindly for his defence and the ball was cleared to safety. A further scramble saw him hack the ball off the line with his foot as it looked like our equaliser was only seconds away.

Agonisingly for the Bridge, we were soon back to 2 goals down when a fast break from their box saw them score through the Campo look-a-like, who skipped past 3 defenders before planting a smart finish beyond Chris Millen for 4-2. The goals were raining in now, and after more sustained pressure we got our third, with Ian knocking home a rebound after another save by their Goalie for 4-3 to St Andrews.

Time however was running out fast, and two late breakaway goals from almost identical through balls played beyond our back line made the score line more than a little flattering to the St Andrews Select team for a final score of 6-3.

Managers Comment:
Well, what can I say that hasn’t been said in almost every Managers comment each week? Time and time again we are caught out by the simple ball over or around our back line for the opposing strikers to gleefully latch onto for a clean run in on goal. We may as well be giving teams 2 goal head-starts unless we cut out the silly mistakes that are repeating themselves every game. Our Midfield MUST track runners from the middle of the pitch, and as every Manager will tell you, the defending starts from the strikers and right back through the team. Our team will not get away with such shoddy defending of through balls that should be cut out at the source BEFORE the ball has been played.

Changes WILL be made next week, and the formation is going to be looked at until we are capable of performing to a level higher than school playground.

In terms of our best performers, we did have several players that had a good game, such as Grant, Barry, Ian, Wearey, and Mark for his work-rate. The Man of the Match award however, goes to Keith Alexander for his all-round display, and his ability to hold the ball up for others to join in play.  

M.O.T.M. – Keith Alexander

(Man of the Match)

J.