Date: 25-Jul-09
Competition: Freindly
Scorers: David McKean Jnr, Paul Rollo (2)
Man of the Match: Alex Dick
Match Report:
Hamilton Harvest got their pre-season underway at Tulliallan on Saturday against ICC (former 2 time winners of the Strathclyde Evangelical Churches League and winners last season of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur League 3^rd division). Harvest were dealt a blow before kick off when Gizzy announced to the team that this would be his last game in a Harvest shirt as he had taken up the opportunity to sign for Motherwell Kings. Harvest lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Shug in goals, left to right in defence was Hawky, Gizzy, Derek & Andy, left to right in midfield was Davy, Alex, John & Yos with Paul & Wullie leading the attack. Paul, Hammy & Omar chose to start the game on the bench, but with rolling subs aloud there would be plenty of changes throughout the game to ensure everyone was given a decent run out.
The game started with ICC dominating the early exchanges and they were quickly on the attack looking for an early goal, after a few half hearted attempts ICC did take the lead in the 10^th minute, good work down their left hand side saw the ball whipped across the 6 yard box to the back post where a grateful ICC player was waiting to tap the ball in to the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Despite this early setback Harvest didn’t let their heads go down and started to come in to the game more and dominated most of the play for the remainder of the half. Alex and John were starting to pull the strings in midfield and Davy on the left, Yos on the right and the front two of Paul and William were starting to cause the ICC defence some problems. Harvest did have a few half chances through William and Paul as the looked for an equalizer but after some good play and exchanging of passes William fire his shot over the bar from 20 yards out and Paul screwed his shot wide of the left hand post. Harvest still had to be on their toes at the back as ICC were dangerous on the attack but the defence coped well with what was thrown at them. Harvest then got the equalizer that their play and possession probably deserved and it was a well worked goal, the ball was played out of defence by Andy in to the midfield, Alex picked up the ball and played it to the right to Paul Rollo (who had now came on from the side lines), from the edge of the ICC 18 yard box Paul flighted a delightful cross to the back post to Paul McDermott who then headed the ball first time in to the path of the onrushing Davy and from 14 yards out Davy fired an unstoppable volley in to the net to make it 1-1. Harvest now had a grip of the game however it did threatened to get out of hand at times with a few rash tackles going in from both sides, for a pre-season friendly there was plenty of passion and determination shown. Harvest then took a deserved lead in the 32^nd minute a throw out from the ICC keeper was intercepted by Davy on the left, Davy then beat two ICC players as he advanced to the bye line, he then cut the ball back to Paul McDermott on the edge of the 6 yard box, Paul cleverly dummied the ball and fooled the ICC defenders, this allowed Paul Rollo to take a touch and fire the ball low past the keeper from 12 yards out to make it 2-1. With Harvest in the ascendancy they were on the attack again and scored a 3^rd goal in the 35^th minute, Alex picked up the ball on the Harvest left and made a great run to the bye line skipping by a few challenges, as several ICC defenders bore down on him Alex neatly cut the ball back across the 6 yard box taking the ICC keeper out of the equation in the process and Paul Rollo who had made and advancing run in to the box slammed the ball high in to the net from close range to make it 3-1. ICC continued to play some neat football as they tried to find a way back in to the game but the remainder of the half was played out with very few chances created and Harvest went in at half time with a deserved 3-1 lead.
The second half started with ICC piling on the pressure as they looked for a way back in to the game but the defence coped well, Harvest were making a few changes in the early stages of the second half to allow everyone a run out and this seemed to upset the flow of Harvest’s game at times and allowed ICC to dominate possession. ICC then had an opportunity to get a goal back when a scuffed shot from the edge of the area fell to an ICC player 6 yards out but Shug was quick from his line to make the block and the danger was cleared. ICC continued to press forward and were presented with a great chance to get back in to the game when they were awarded a penalty. A great ball from midfield had split the Harvest defence and as Shug came rushing from his goal to clear the danger the ICC striker had got there a fraction earlier and knocked the ball past Shug, but as he was already committed he made contact with the striker just inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. There were no arguments as it was a clear penalty however Shug redeemed himself with a great save down low to his left to deny the ICC midfielder and maintain Harvest’s 2 goal lead. Harvest were still creating chances and the ICC substitute keeper made a great save from William when he was in a one on one situation, this was a vital save as that would probably have put the game out of ICC’s reach. The ICC keeper was again called in to action as Paul McDermott bore down on goal but Paul’s shot was saved and the danger was cleared. As the game came to close ICC were presented with 1 last opportunity, a long throw in was headed towards goal but Shug was on hand to tip the goal bound effort over the bar. With only a few minutes left the game was played out and Harvest ran out 3-1 winners.
Well done today guys, a great display for our first game back, we played some great football and everyone deserves credit for a solid performance. Well done to Davy McKean Jnr and Paul Rollo for getting their names on the score sheet and credit to the guys who assisted them in doing so. Well done to Shug who made a couple of good save at a vital time in the game, most notably the penalty save and congratulations to Alex who was awarded the man of the match award by the ICC management (I’m sure that will be the first of many this season).
Hamilton Harvest would like to take this opportunity to thank ICC for their hospitality and wish them success as they look forward to the challenge that lies before them in the 2^nd division of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur League. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gizzy for his service to the team over the last 10 years, and despite a good display today’s victory couldn’t change his mind and he leaves with our best wishes for the future. There is no doubt we will come up against him when Harvest meet Motherwell Kings in the league. Once again well done guys lets take this performance forward throughout the remainder of our pre-season and in to the start of the league campaign.