Date: 05-Dec-09
Competition: League
Scorers: William McKean, Alex Dick, Paul Rollo
Man of the Match: David McKean
Match Report:

Hamilton Harvest took on Motherwell Kings on Saturday at Bellshill, Harvest lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, right to left in defence was Davy, Omar, Steph & Hawky, right to left in midfield was Andy, Paul, Rab & James with Alex & William up front. Hammy, Scott, Yos & William were the options available on the bench. Harvest started well and managed to get the ball moving well on the 3G surface and dominated the early part of the game. Harvest’s good play was rewarded in the 13^th minute when they took the lead, Hawky picked up the ball on the left hand side just inside his own half and flighted a delightful ball in to the Motherwell area where William got across his defender to direct the ball past the keeper with a superb header to make it 1-0. This goal kicked Motherwell in to action and they started to get a hold of the ball but when they reached the final 3^rd the final ball wasn’t quite there and any chances were snuffed out by the Harvest defence. Harvest were still playing some neat football but again the chances created were only half chances as the Motherwell defence stood strong. Motherwell then had a great chance to equalize when they got the break of the ball in Harvest’s final 3^rd of the field which presented their midfielder with a run in at goal but he only managed to put his shot straight at Shug who blocked with his legs and then collected comfortably. The game was turning in to a midfield battle and there were a few fair but meaty challenges which resulted in players from both side needing some treatment. Harvest were getting forward trying to increase their lead but any balls in to the box were dealt with comfortably by the tall Motherwell back line and any long range shots were collected by the keeper. With Harvest pushing forward this presented Motherwell with a chance to hit Harvest on the break and a long ball out of defence set Motherwell up with another chance, the ball fell to the feet of the tall striker out on the wing as he advanced in to the box he opted to shoot instead of squaring the ball to a team mate but Shug got down well at his near post to deflect the ball behind for a corner with his legs. With the game finely balanced the referee brought the first half to a close with Harvest leading 1-0.

Harvest made a slight change at half time after Davy picked up a knock, resulting in Davy going to right midfield to try and run off the knock and Andy slipped back to right back. Harvest came out in the second half and took the game to their opponents as they looked to increase their lead, William had a great chance to get his second goal when Paul picked up the ball and drove forward towards the Motherwell goal, as the defender closed him down he slipped the ball to William who fired a fierce shot at goal which beat the keeper but unfortunately also flashed narrowly by the far post. Harvest were pressing for a second and it came in the 57^th minute, Davy picked up the ball midway inside the Motherwell half, Alex made a great run across the front of the Motherwell defence and Davy played a defence splitting pass straight in to the path of Alex, with the Motherwell back 4 static and claiming for offside Alex got the ball out of his feet advance in on goal and fired his shot past the keeper in to the far corner to make it 2-0. Harvest were now dominating the play and increased their lead even further in the 63^rd minute, Hawky picked up the ball on the Harvest left and knocked it forward to James on the left wing, James set off down the wing beating two players in the process and crossed a delightful ball right to the back post taking out defender and keeper in the process and Paul was unmarked and headed the ball in to the net to make it 3-0. Harvest then made a couple of changes in the 70^th minute when Hammy & Scott came on to replace William & James who had run their socks off all game and caused the Motherwell defence no end of trouble. Scott slotted in at right midfield resulting in Davy switching to the left and Hammy went up front. Motherwell Kings were playing some neat football of their own but on most occasions the Harvest defence stood tall and snuffed out the danger and for the most part they were limited to long range shots, none of which troubled Shug in the Harvest goal. Motherwell did pull a goal back in the 75^th minute when their right back was allowed to stroll forward with the ball and from 30 yards crack an unstoppable shot in to the top corner leaving Shug with no chance to make it 3-1. This goal kicked Motherwell in to life and they sensed they might get something out of the game, they pressed Harvest high up the pitch and the Harvest defence stood strong as they defended their lead. Harvest then made their last change when Yos came on to replace Davy at left midfield. With Motherwell so high up the pitch looking for another goal Harvest hit them on the break and should have put the game out of sight when the ball fell to Alex on the edge of the area and he cracked a great shot which was heading to the top corner but the Motherwell keeper dived at full stretch to turn the ball round the post. As the game drew to a close Motherwell did have the ball in the Harvest net again after a wicked in-swinging cross seemed to miss everyone but the referee’s whistle had already went and Harvest were awarded the free kick for what can only be assumed as a foul in the box or an off-side. With no further action the referee brought the game to a close and Harvest picked up their 4^th win of the season with this 3-1 win.

Well done today guy, we played some great football and all the goals were superb and well worked. Well done to William, Alex & Paul who got their names on the score sheet and to Davy for picking up the man of the match award. More of the same next week as we play Motherwell Kings again in the 1^st round of the Atholl Cup. For now enjoy the win and have a great week. God Bless.