Date: 23-Jan-10
Competition: League
Scorers: Davy McKean (2), William McKean, Paul Rollo
Man of the Match: Davy McKean
Match Report:

In their first game of the New Year Hamilton Harvest travelled down the M8 to take on Port Glasgow and came away with all 3 points after a 4-0 victory. Harvest lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Shug in goals, right to left in defence was William, Hammy, Hawky & Aiky, right to left in midfield was James, Rab, Alex & Davy with Paul & William McKean leading the attack. Port Glasgow were first to attack as they worked the ball down the Harvest right and across the face of the 18 yard area, but the snap shot from the edge of the area was parried by Shug and then cleared by Hammy. Harvest were next on the attack when they broke on Port Glasgow and worked the ball well up to Paul whose first time left foot shot was tipped round the post by the keeper. The game was tight in the first half with both teams taking turns to attack, Harvest did have the ball in the back of the net midway through the half when a long ball found Paul on the right and his cross was knocked in by Davy but the referee had judged that Davy was offside and the goal was ruled out. Port Glasgow then went on the attack and worked the ball well down the Harvest left and when the ball was knocked through to the striker he advanced on Shug at an angle but Shug got down well to bloke the shot with his legs and then pounce on the loose ball to snuff out the danger. With both teams locked on 0-0 the referee brought the first half to a close.

The second half started at frantic pace as both teams looked for the opener and it came Harvest’s way in the 51^st minute, Rab picked the ball up in the centre circle and played a great pass inside the Port Glasgow right back, despite his attempts to cut out the ball it fell straight to the feet of Davy who controlled the ball beautifully brought the ball inside, beat 2 Port Glasgow players inside the box and calmly side footed the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0. The game opened up a bit after the goal as Port Glasgow sought an equalizer and they thought they had found a way back in to the game when a deep cross from the Harvest left found the feet of the striker who side footed the ball first time in to the bottom corner but the referee ruled the goal out as the striker was in an offside position when the ball was played. Harvest then made it 2-0 in the 59^th minute when Davy picked the ball up on the Harvest left advanced in to the area and played the ball across the face of the goal where William was on hand to tap the ball in to the net from close range. Harvest were starting to control the play at this point and were more relaxed and able to knock the ball about comfortably and nearly increased their lead further when Alex picked up the ball, went on a run beating 2 or 3 players and firing a shot which looked to be heading for the top corner but the Port Glasgow keeper got up to get a finger tip to the ball and deflect it over the bar. Port Glasgow were still dangerous on the attack with the quick forwards they had and had the ball in the Harvest net once again when the ball was cut back from the bye line, but just as the striker knocked the ball in the net the referee blew the whistle as the ball had just went out of play before it was cut back. Despite the odd attack from Port Glasgow Harvest were dominating possession and increased their lead in their lead in the 75^th minute when once again Rab picked the ball up in the centre circle and played a great pass inside the Port Glasgow right back straight to the feet of Davy who advanced in on goal and chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper to get his second and Harvests 3^rd goal. Harvest still had time to add a 4^th goal and it came in the 84^th minute when a pass forward by Hammy which was meant for Alex went all the way through to the Port Glasgow area, where the goal keeper and defender couldn’t decide who was going to clear the ball and Paul nicked in between them both to side foot the ball in to the bottom corner to complete the scoring. Alex almost made it 5-0 right at the death, but just as he was clear through for a shot on goal the referee blew the full time whistle and denied him the opportunity to score.

Well done today guys, for our first game in 8 weeks we done well and I know some of you were knackered but some of the play was a delight to watch. Well done to William, Paul & Davy who got the goals and to Davy for picking up the man of the match award. I hope the muscles aren’t too sore during the week and here’s hoping we continue the rest of the year in the manner in which we started. Have a good week, God Bless.