Hutchison Vale Colts 17s VS
This match was a repeat of last months
league meeting at Sighthill which saw Hutchy record a narrow 3-2 victory over
their
The Colts were down to a virtual skeleton crew with no less than five players out injured prior to kick-off and only two subs available for Hutchy manager John Frame.
Hutchy started off lively and only two minutes had elapsed when James Guy flashed in a low cross from the right that was just out of the reach of the lunging Mark Law.
City responded quickly and from a corner kick the ball was delivered into the six-yard box but eluded both sets of players.
Hutchie were unlucky not to open the scoring in the 8th minute when Mark Law unleashed a fierce drive from 30 yards that crashed off the face of the crossbar before being cleared.
The Colts began to enjoy more possession as City struggled to contain Keir Blaikie in midfield or James Guy down the right wing.
The home side’s pressure paid dividends in the 19th minute after a crossed ball found Paul Cameron, via a defenders head. From a tight angle eight yards out he remained calm to fire a shot across the keeper and into the bottom right corner.
Hutchy fell asleep from the restart and allowed City a rare shot on goal but Joe Bickmore’s scuffed effort lacked power.
As the half progressed the Colts started to reassert themselves with some attractive, passing football that lacked just the final ball.
With the home team enjoying an increasing amount of possession and territorial advantage no-one was too shocked when they doubled their lead in the 28th minute.
Kier Blaikie latched onto a header inside the box and produced a great volleyed lob that City keeper Euan Higgins could do nothing about.
Ross Milne prevented City gaining a 35th minute foothold with a crucial clearing header after some City pressure down the left wing had resulted in a headed attempt at goal.
The referee added five minutes of injury time for a half that had seen four City players require treatment. Whilst two of the four were subbed off it is worth noting that no cards of any colour were shown during a first half that the Colts won at a canter.
The match was almost over within five minutes of the restart when Ross Milne saw his shot cannon off the underside of the bar with the City keeper well beaten. It was to signal a turning point in the match as it turned into a classic, clichéd game of two halves.
City manager Ian Donaldson flooded the
midfield to try and nullify the Colts
Hutchy struggled to deal with City’s increased possession and proceeded to give away a succession of free kicks in dangerous positions.
A 59th minute free kick close to the right touchline was floated in and James Bickmore shrugged of a defender to head in from close range.
The Colts inability to kill off a game that was all but over began to look very costly.
City’s long ball tactics were causing havoc in a defence that seemed troubled and hesitant when dealing with an aerial threat.
The first card was shown midway in the half for a late tackle by City midfielder Scot Finlayson who was followed into the book moments later by his team-mate Matthew Duncan for a late, two-footed challenge.
With only ten minutes left another lofted pass caused mayhem in the Colts backline. Two defenders ended up challenging each other and not the ball, leaving City captain Ryan Wilson one-on-one with Adam Lewis. The number nine made no mistake slotting it low past the keeper to level the match.
Despite creating very few chances City had managed to achieve parity in a game they could so easily been three or four down at one stage.
Both teams had chances to win the match but it was City who were the happier team heading into extra-time.
Goal scoring opportunities were scarce in extra-time, as both teams looked tired, with seemingly innocuous tackles bringing forth the City physio to the derision of the home side.
Hutchy’s best outlet late on was Blaikie. City couldn’t cope with his presence which led to a chance for Paul Cameron whose header forced a great save from Higgins meaning that this match would be decided from the penalty spot.
Hutchy couldn’t have got off to a worse start as James Guy’s effort crashed off the angle. Up stepped City’s James Lamb to send his penalty wide.
Mark Law (Colts) scored as did Paul Morgan (City). 1-1
Colt Challum Manson hit the net before City’s Scott Finlayson struck the post. 2-1
Next up was Norman Lawson who beat the keeper as did his City counterpart. 3-2
Captain Ross Milne had the chance to end the match and his nerveless finish gave the relieved Colts 17s a 4-2 shootout victory that should have been theirs much, much sooner.
Hutchie Match Reporter, Leroy Carter
Tel: 07842796465