Date: 28-Aug-10
Competition: League
Scorers: Alex Dick, David Anderson, Anthony Healy (3)
Man of the Match: Daryl Logie
Match Reports:

Hamilton Harvest kicked off their league campaign with a convincing win against Greenview. Harvest started in a 4-4-2 formation with Shug in goals, right to left in defence was Mark, Smillie, Hawky & Daryl, right to left in midfield was David Anderson, JB, Wullie McKenna & Ritchie with Des and Hammy leading the attack. Ants, Matt, Zuko, Wullie McKean, Wullie Anderson & Callum started the game on the bench. Both teams started the game well with plenty of good football on show, Harvest were first on the attack when JB’s free kick was tipped over the bar by the Greenview keeper. Greenview were next on the attack and good work down the Harvest right saw the ball in the box but Daryl was across to block the shot and the ball went out for a corner. There was a real ebb and flow to the game now as both teams traded attacks, Hammy & Des were causing the Greenview defence problems with Hammy winning the headers against a big back line and Des dropping off and picking up the loose balls. Harvest were then denied a penalty when JB picked up the ball and drove in to the Greenview area it looked as if the player tracking JB’s run had fouled him inside the area but the referee waved away the Harvest appeals. Greenview were also causing Harvest some problems especially down the wings but Hawky & Smillie in the middle swept everything up. Harvest did grab the lead in the 38^th minute when a long clearance from Shug in the Harvest goal evaded the Greenview defenders jump and fell to the feet of Des who ran in on goal at the angle, shrugged off the challenge of the defender and fired a low shot under the keeper to make it 1-0. Harvest were buoyed by this goal and kept pressing forward and increased their lead on the stroke of half time when a free kick was awarded to Harvest just inside their own half, Smillie floated a great ball in to the box, Hammy jumped highest and flicked the ball on, the ball dropped to David Anderson at the back post who steadied himself and fired an unstoppable volley from a tight angle which flew high past the keeper to make it 2-0, already a contender for goal of the season. With that the referee blew the half time whistle and Harvest went in 2-0 up at the break.

The second half started with Greenview coming and attacking Harvest as they looked for a way back in to the game and they had a great chance just after the restart when the ball was played in behind the Harvest defence to the feet of the Greenview attacker who found himself one on one with Shug, but Shug got down well to block the shot with his feet and the danger was cleared. Greenview were starting to put Harvest under a bit of pressure in the early stages of the second half as they piled forward and again had another chance to pull a goal back when a corner was floated to the back post, the tall striker rose and put his header back across goal toward the top corner but Mark was on the line to head the ball clear and maintain Harvest’s 2 goal lead. Harvest then had a glorious opportunity to increase their lead further when Wullie McKenna burst in to the Greenview box, a mix up between the keeper and defender saw the ball break to Wullie with the goal gaping but Wullie’s shot came crashing off the underside of the crossbar and safely in to the keepers hands. Harvest then made their first substitution when Ants came on to replace Wullie McKenna who had run himself in to the ground in the midfield, with that Hammy dropped back in to midfield and Ants went up front to partner Des in attack. Ants introduction almost paid off straight away when he found him self through on goal but the Greenview keeper done well to smother the ball. Harvest came back in to the game and Ants with his pace was troubling the Greenview defence and once again he raced through on goal, he was crowded out by the Greenview defence but turned and squared the ball to Des who screwed his shot wide of the post. Harvest then increased their lead in the 65^th minute when some slack play by the Greenview defence saw Des knick the ball hit the bye line and cross in to the middle to Ants who was all along and Ants had the easy task of heading the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0. Greenview kept pressing forward looking for a way back in to the game and once again passed up a great opportunity when a deep ball to the back post found the Greenview player, his side foot volley was tipped on the bar by Shug and as the ball dropped to the other post to another Greenview player he looked certain to score but his side foot volley flew way over the bar. Harvest kept pressing forward and Ants and Des were causing the Greenview back line problems with their movement and speed and were saved on a few occasions by the off side trap. Harvest then made another substitution when Wullie Anderson came on to replace Ritchie at left midfield. Both teams once again swapped attacks for a while but as the game drew to a close it was Harvest who made it 4-0 in the 83^rd minute a ball out of defence from Harvest was flicked on by Des, Ants was on to the loose ball, and had the beating of the defender for pace and has he drew the keeper out of his goal he slotted the ball low in to the bottom left hand corner to grab his second of the game. Harvest then made their final substitution when Matt came on to replace Des in attack. Greenview did get a goal in the 86^th minute when they were awarded a penalty after the referee had judged that JB had came in at the back of the Greenview winger inside the area, the Greenview striker stepped up and sent Shug the wrong way to make it 4-1. The scoring was not finished there and Harvest cemented their win with a 5^th goal in the 89^th minute when another free kick inside the Harvest half was launched forward by Smillie, again confusion between the Greenview keeper and the defender saw them clash on the edge of the box and the ball broke to Ants who had the easy task of tapping the ball in to the net to complete his 3^rd Harvest hat-trick and make it 5-1. The remainder of the game was played out and Harvest ran out convincing 5-1 winners.

Well done today lads a great performance and a great victory against a good team, everyone played their part and should be proud of their performance. Well done to Des, David and Ants who got their names on the score sheet and to Daryl who was awarded the man of the match award. Enjoy the victory guys and we’ll see you all at training on Wednesday. Until then God Bless.