A snowy Dundee awaited the travelling Edinburgh 2s team in what was an eagerly anticipated top of the table clash. Dundee had stunned a capacity Peffermill crowd, with a last grasp winner previously in the season, so both sides knew this was going to be a tight, hard-fought affair, even without John Terry or Ashley Cole playing the field.
The first 20 minutes lived up to expectations, with tackles from both teams flying in on the slick 3G surface. Yet, it was Ed Senior who found his name first enter the book, after a trademark professional foul by the left back. Despite the energy, chances came few and far between, with the Burgh defence coping easily with any Dundee threat, aided by Jamie Sime’s continual break-up of the play. Benji Antoni did provide some moments of attacking flair, with some dazzling runs, yet his shooting was wayward.
However, Burgh did go 1-0 up with only 13 minutes left on the clock in the first half, when Kyle O’Neill latched onto a loose ball, fizzing a shot off the surface into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal from 30 yards. This was nothing more than Burgh and O’Neill deserved, with the striker providing a great aerial threat combined with some audacious flicks to linkup play throughout the game.
Yet, Dundee equalised before the break with a controversial free-kick. As keeper Tom Agnew marked out the wall, the referee allowed Dundee to take a quick free-kick, leaving Agnew stranded as the ball was placed into the opposite side of the empty net. As Dundee celebrated, Edinburgh complained, but to no avail.
The restart of play saw the restart of the war in midfield, which Sime dominated. The “Machine” is only just back in the Burgh side after spending some time away in Toronto however, his presence was certainly felt back on his home turf. Burgh then retook the lead when the Dundee keeper spilled a tame shot, leaving an on-hand Steve Kenny to dink the ball into the back of the net, putting the away side 2-1 up.
The Edinburgh defence then held on magnificently for a prolonged period. Ghamgosar, Archer, Paterson and Senior were composed against a potent attacking force, who attempted to utilise training ground movements only to be foiled by the Burgh back four.
The match then witnessed 2 moments of brilliance. Agnew did his credentials for the England Number 1 spot no harm, by somehow manoeuvring across the whole goal before tipping a ball over that seemed destined to enter the top-right hand corner. However, Agnew could do nothing about the next shot, which came after a mesmerizing run by the Dundee centre-midfielder, curling the ball into the goal to draw the teams level with 12 left to play.
Burgh looked deflated, yet, with only minutes to spare substitute Mario Velez, who had been brought on for the injured Antoni, tested the suspect Dundee keeper. The strikers shot was lame, however, the wet surface meant that the ball escaped the keeper’s grasp and trickled across the goal line, sending the away team into a fit of ecstasy.
Stuz Carroll and Alex Maxwell replaced Alex Petrie and Dave Meehan to steady the ship right to the end, allowing Burgh to earn a much needed victory. This sets-up a mouth-watering encounter against Aberdeen 1s, who venture to Peffermill next week in what may well be the league decider. So, it is then when we shall see if Edinburgh 2s came retain their BUCS league crown.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Saturday 20 February 2010
Rudman Rugged, Whilst William’s a Winter Winner
The start of the eagerly anticipated Vancouver Winter Olympics was marred by the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili after a freak accident in training for the luge event. However, the Georgian national team still marched into the opening ceremony, their faces downcast, their flag held aloft. The British team was also present, with silver medallist in Turin, Shelley Rudman, leading the side into the stadium.
As University essay deadlines approached, in a change from the usual late night “bunker” experience, the games presented themselves as an equitable replacement for keeping one awake into the dregs of the morning. Two men lying on nothing more than a tea-tray, head to toe in lycra, is not a sight to be missed. Unlike the curling…
Whereas, even a novice like myself could enjoy the Men’s halfpipe, watching Shaun White annihilate the opposition, with a run which included tricks such as the sublime double-corkscrew, switch, tomahawk, jagerbomb, braces-twanging jump. Unbelievable.
As for the women’s ice hockey, results such as 13-1 are seemingly expected, even when both teams involved, Canada and Sweden, advance to the semi-finals. Let’s just hope they do not both make the final…
For the Britain, Rudman was one of the major hopes for a medal this Olympics, with a lot of media hype being created around her. Interview after interview appeared on our screens, all showing an excited, but maybe a little over-confident, athlete. On the other hand, Amy William’s was barely mentioned, yet appeared jovial when we were treated to a brief glimpse of Britain’s second competitor in the skeleton.
The skeleton saw the British pair go up against the much-favoured pin-up girl of the Canadian team, Mellisa Hollingsworth. Yet, even after the first run of the 4 combined attempts, William’s was flying high above the rest of the field, being the first female competitor to breach the 54 second mark down the Whistler track. As for Rudman, she was distinctly average in comparison.
As runs two, three and four commenced, Rudman did edge her way slowly up the leaderboard, eventually finishing 6th overall, bemoaning a lack of allowance of practice runs on the track. Yet with Williams, every run showed off her greater ability to not only read the correct line to take the challenging course, but also to master the high speeds which the athletes were reaching, culminating in her becoming the first individual Winter Olympics gold medallist for Britain in 30 years.
So, it appears that the media attention may have got to Rudman, who will be desperately unhappy with the outcome of her Winter Olympics. However, a new star has been born in Amy Williams, providing the media with a new intense focus. Still, at least this shows another meaning to the phrase “No likely, no (lime)lighty”.
As University essay deadlines approached, in a change from the usual late night “bunker” experience, the games presented themselves as an equitable replacement for keeping one awake into the dregs of the morning. Two men lying on nothing more than a tea-tray, head to toe in lycra, is not a sight to be missed. Unlike the curling…
Whereas, even a novice like myself could enjoy the Men’s halfpipe, watching Shaun White annihilate the opposition, with a run which included tricks such as the sublime double-corkscrew, switch, tomahawk, jagerbomb, braces-twanging jump. Unbelievable.
As for the women’s ice hockey, results such as 13-1 are seemingly expected, even when both teams involved, Canada and Sweden, advance to the semi-finals. Let’s just hope they do not both make the final…
For the Britain, Rudman was one of the major hopes for a medal this Olympics, with a lot of media hype being created around her. Interview after interview appeared on our screens, all showing an excited, but maybe a little over-confident, athlete. On the other hand, Amy William’s was barely mentioned, yet appeared jovial when we were treated to a brief glimpse of Britain’s second competitor in the skeleton.
The skeleton saw the British pair go up against the much-favoured pin-up girl of the Canadian team, Mellisa Hollingsworth. Yet, even after the first run of the 4 combined attempts, William’s was flying high above the rest of the field, being the first female competitor to breach the 54 second mark down the Whistler track. As for Rudman, she was distinctly average in comparison.
As runs two, three and four commenced, Rudman did edge her way slowly up the leaderboard, eventually finishing 6th overall, bemoaning a lack of allowance of practice runs on the track. Yet with Williams, every run showed off her greater ability to not only read the correct line to take the challenging course, but also to master the high speeds which the athletes were reaching, culminating in her becoming the first individual Winter Olympics gold medallist for Britain in 30 years.
So, it appears that the media attention may have got to Rudman, who will be desperately unhappy with the outcome of her Winter Olympics. However, a new star has been born in Amy Williams, providing the media with a new intense focus. Still, at least this shows another meaning to the phrase “No likely, no (lime)lighty”.
Saturday 13 February 2010
Valentine Heart-break for Liberton
A Halloween horror show was today eclipsed by a heart-breaking rejection of 3 points for Liberton on the eve of Valentine’s day. When Liberton ventured to Peffermill, at the end of October, they were beaten resoundingly, however, today they gave a better account of themselves in a game which showed there was no love lost between the sides.
Edinburgh started shakily, with sloppy errors being made throughout the team. But, Liberton failed to capitalise when Ed Senior’s poor back-pass was latched onto by the Liberton frontman, however, after rounding keeper Agnew, Tom Archer spared Senior’s blushes by making a last-ditch tackle.
Yet, eventually Liberton were awarded a gift, when their striker nicked in behind an unsuspecting Dave Meehan inside the box, whose clearance missed the ball and found the striker’s leg. A penalty was duly awarded, and easily dispatched to put the home side 1-0 up.
Edinburgh were a little shell-shocked at going behind, and finally started to string some passes together, finding wing-men Benji Antoni and Steve Kenny both in sumptuous form, repeatedly taking on their respective full-backs and providing good crosses which, unfortunately, frequently evaded the front pair. A Kenny free-kick found Jamie Sime unmarked at the back post, but his header went wide from 4 yards out.
Half-time came and went, with the referee still looking towards his linesman for offside verdicts. The fact that he had none may have been one reason why he failed to get many of those decisions correct. The referee then missed an ugly incident, when Liberton striker David, spat in the face of Dan Paterson. Television replays confirm what the referee failed to witness, but the striker soon found himself in the book, after smacking the ball away on 3 separate occasions, even when one of those was for a free-kick he himself had won...
Burgh manager Stuart Robertson brought on the changes, with Petrie and Velez coming on for Sime and Senior, switching the side to a 3-4-3 formation. And with barely a minute left on the clock the ball somehow found its way to the toes of Calum Erskine in the box. The inform forward did what poachers do best and instinctively toe-pocked the ball into the far corner of the goal, drawing the sides level. Liberton, who had held on for so long, were clearly devastated, none more than David, who finally achieved what he had been threatening to do all match, and after a verbal confrontation with the referee, found himself walking back for an early shower after receiving his second booking.
But to add insult to injury, with only 30 seconds left in the game, Burgh broke forward once more, with Velez feeding the ball down the wing to Erskine. The Zac Efron wannabe, silkily skipped past a cumbersome centre-back before sliding the ball back across goal where Kenny had the easy task of knocking the ball home, sending the away side into ecstatic celebrations.
So, on a Valentine’s weekend which saw Liberton constantly refuse to accept anything other than a victory, they eventually found that the efforts were futile as Edinburgh refused their offer by deciding to score two very late goals, not only taking all three points with them, but breaking Liberton’s hearts on the way.
Edinburgh started shakily, with sloppy errors being made throughout the team. But, Liberton failed to capitalise when Ed Senior’s poor back-pass was latched onto by the Liberton frontman, however, after rounding keeper Agnew, Tom Archer spared Senior’s blushes by making a last-ditch tackle.
Yet, eventually Liberton were awarded a gift, when their striker nicked in behind an unsuspecting Dave Meehan inside the box, whose clearance missed the ball and found the striker’s leg. A penalty was duly awarded, and easily dispatched to put the home side 1-0 up.
Edinburgh were a little shell-shocked at going behind, and finally started to string some passes together, finding wing-men Benji Antoni and Steve Kenny both in sumptuous form, repeatedly taking on their respective full-backs and providing good crosses which, unfortunately, frequently evaded the front pair. A Kenny free-kick found Jamie Sime unmarked at the back post, but his header went wide from 4 yards out.
Half-time came and went, with the referee still looking towards his linesman for offside verdicts. The fact that he had none may have been one reason why he failed to get many of those decisions correct. The referee then missed an ugly incident, when Liberton striker David, spat in the face of Dan Paterson. Television replays confirm what the referee failed to witness, but the striker soon found himself in the book, after smacking the ball away on 3 separate occasions, even when one of those was for a free-kick he himself had won...
Burgh manager Stuart Robertson brought on the changes, with Petrie and Velez coming on for Sime and Senior, switching the side to a 3-4-3 formation. And with barely a minute left on the clock the ball somehow found its way to the toes of Calum Erskine in the box. The inform forward did what poachers do best and instinctively toe-pocked the ball into the far corner of the goal, drawing the sides level. Liberton, who had held on for so long, were clearly devastated, none more than David, who finally achieved what he had been threatening to do all match, and after a verbal confrontation with the referee, found himself walking back for an early shower after receiving his second booking.
But to add insult to injury, with only 30 seconds left in the game, Burgh broke forward once more, with Velez feeding the ball down the wing to Erskine. The Zac Efron wannabe, silkily skipped past a cumbersome centre-back before sliding the ball back across goal where Kenny had the easy task of knocking the ball home, sending the away side into ecstatic celebrations.
So, on a Valentine’s weekend which saw Liberton constantly refuse to accept anything other than a victory, they eventually found that the efforts were futile as Edinburgh refused their offer by deciding to score two very late goals, not only taking all three points with them, but breaking Liberton’s hearts on the way.
Sunday 7 February 2010
Saints Super Bowl Champions
Super Bowl Sunday, the one day of the year when the “Yars” disclose their denying love for American football, talking about their favourite player, who just about always turns out to be the quarter-back from one of the two finalists. However, I thought, what the heck, loads of people watch it, let’s give it another go and see if I make it past the first quarter for once.
The Super Bowl apparently sees the two top seeds face each other, the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. But first, we rise and watch the inspirational singing from Queen Latifa, “I love America”. It certainly brought tears to my eyes. And then, it started, with the most important 50/50 of any of our lives, “The Coin Toss”. Apparently, afterwards, it was 1-0 to the Saints, after they won the coin toss, not literally on the scoreboard I presumed.
And so the Colts kicked off, men in spandex running in all directions, blocking, charging, destroying anything in sight. Peyton Manning firing balls all over the pitch, as his chosen targets take huge hits from their team. Although, these men are not as hard as they make out, I have seen less padding on my mum’s china tea set that she bought off Amazon. Anyway, Matt Stover, the oldest man in Super Bowl history, proved the padding’s kept him in the game, as he kicked the first points on the board, putting the Colts 3-0 up. Before, Manning found Garcon for the first touchdown of the game, and after Stover kicked the extra point, the Colts were 10-0 up at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Saints kick 3 up on the board after their quarter-back was sacked by Dwight Freeney. The Colts showed some mean defensive play keeping the Saints on numerous occasions from only a few yards out. However, Hartley kicks his second field goal of the quarter to make the score 10-6 to the Colts at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter saw the Saints score a touchdown, taking their consecutive points tally up to 13. However, it wasn’t long before Manning was finding his mark, heading some great plays to open up another touchdown for the Colts, with Addai the man to be found in the end zone. Yet, Hartley stood up once again to kick a 40 yard field goal, taking the sides to within a point of each other, going into the final quarter.
The 4th quarter saw Stover, kick a field goal wide, missing out on the opportunity to extend the Colts lead. But with 5.35 left on the clock, New Orleans offensive man Shockey is found by marksmen Brees, who goes level with Tom Brady’s record of 32 complete passes made in a Super Bowl final. The Saints went for 2 points, but in a tight reviewed call, they are deemed to have just got the ball down in the end zone, elevating the score on 24-17. Peyton Manning was starting to claw back territory, but on the Colts, supposedly, favourite play, Tarcy Porter makes an interception and runs home from 74 yards, taking the Super Bowl with him, as with 3 minutes left on the clock, the Saints lead 31-17.
The Saints defensive line then held off Indianapolis, before the offensive team ran down the clock. So, after going down to a 10-0 scoreline, the New Orleans Saints came back to win Super Bowl 44, leaving the “Yars” to celebrate their great achievement, if only they understood what had just happened.
The Super Bowl apparently sees the two top seeds face each other, the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. But first, we rise and watch the inspirational singing from Queen Latifa, “I love America”. It certainly brought tears to my eyes. And then, it started, with the most important 50/50 of any of our lives, “The Coin Toss”. Apparently, afterwards, it was 1-0 to the Saints, after they won the coin toss, not literally on the scoreboard I presumed.
And so the Colts kicked off, men in spandex running in all directions, blocking, charging, destroying anything in sight. Peyton Manning firing balls all over the pitch, as his chosen targets take huge hits from their team. Although, these men are not as hard as they make out, I have seen less padding on my mum’s china tea set that she bought off Amazon. Anyway, Matt Stover, the oldest man in Super Bowl history, proved the padding’s kept him in the game, as he kicked the first points on the board, putting the Colts 3-0 up. Before, Manning found Garcon for the first touchdown of the game, and after Stover kicked the extra point, the Colts were 10-0 up at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Saints kick 3 up on the board after their quarter-back was sacked by Dwight Freeney. The Colts showed some mean defensive play keeping the Saints on numerous occasions from only a few yards out. However, Hartley kicks his second field goal of the quarter to make the score 10-6 to the Colts at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter saw the Saints score a touchdown, taking their consecutive points tally up to 13. However, it wasn’t long before Manning was finding his mark, heading some great plays to open up another touchdown for the Colts, with Addai the man to be found in the end zone. Yet, Hartley stood up once again to kick a 40 yard field goal, taking the sides to within a point of each other, going into the final quarter.
The 4th quarter saw Stover, kick a field goal wide, missing out on the opportunity to extend the Colts lead. But with 5.35 left on the clock, New Orleans offensive man Shockey is found by marksmen Brees, who goes level with Tom Brady’s record of 32 complete passes made in a Super Bowl final. The Saints went for 2 points, but in a tight reviewed call, they are deemed to have just got the ball down in the end zone, elevating the score on 24-17. Peyton Manning was starting to claw back territory, but on the Colts, supposedly, favourite play, Tarcy Porter makes an interception and runs home from 74 yards, taking the Super Bowl with him, as with 3 minutes left on the clock, the Saints lead 31-17.
The Saints defensive line then held off Indianapolis, before the offensive team ran down the clock. So, after going down to a 10-0 scoreline, the New Orleans Saints came back to win Super Bowl 44, leaving the “Yars” to celebrate their great achievement, if only they understood what had just happened.
England’s Euro 2012?
So, as Africa disembarks after a troubled African Cup of Nations, the World continues to prepare itself for the World Cup in South Africa this coming summer. Yet, amongst all the anticipation, not just the elite in Europe find themselves with an invite to Warsaw, where the qualifying groups for Poland and Ukraine Euro 2012 will get drawn.
For England, this is the chance to remove John Terry from the headlines, letting football be the main topic of conversation once more and not whether England should have an adulterous captain or one who, quite probably, was on drugs earlier in his career. But let’s be honest, the rest are probably not much better.
However, England find themselves in what many appear to be a tough group. Group G will see Wembley play host to boring, yet consistent qualifiers Switzerland. No doubt their inclusion in the World Cup will help prove this statement, although, I hope for everyone’s sake, that they do not live up to such high expectations and actually play in a game which is remembered for its exciting football, rather than its insurmountable amount of rain or extensive penalty misses against co-hosts Ukraine.
Bulgaria will also come to the home of football. A nation whose name has an almost onomatopoeia like element, instantly suggesting a hard fought graft will be needed for any visiting team who comes to Sofia with any point taking aspirations. Montenegro pose similar prospects. The side may be deemed a minor, but then again it has risen sharply up the FIFA’s world rankings in the last couple of years.
The crowning glory of the fixture list, is an old fashioned home nations fiesta against Wales. Well, maybe fiesta is not quite the right word, unless of course Wales cause a major upset and beat their only real neighbours, taking hope from the shock Northern Ireland gave England when David Healy scored the only goal when qualifying for Euro 2008 World Cup 2006??? As for Wales, let’s just hope they do not receive a thumping like the one they got at Twickenham in the 6 nations yesterday.
Hard though this group may be, if England are really worried by the likes of Montenegro, then they do not deserve to make it to Poland and Ukraine in 2012. Especially when you look at the group their northern neighbours have been landed in. Scotland, due to their collapsing world ranking, find that they will face the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Liechenstein and current European Champions, and most people’s favourites for the World Cup, Spain. In a tournament where only the top placed team qualifies, Scotland’s chances look slim at best.
However, 6 months is a long time in football. Maybe by that time Scotland will have recaptured their former glory, under new manager Craig Levein. Maybe Wales will have enticed Ryan Giggs back into the national side, enabling them to conquer over the English. And maybe England will have a captain who actually deserves to wear the armband. Put all three together, and you have some idea of the odds of England winning the World Cup in summer, so let’s just hope we qualify for Euro 2012.
For England, this is the chance to remove John Terry from the headlines, letting football be the main topic of conversation once more and not whether England should have an adulterous captain or one who, quite probably, was on drugs earlier in his career. But let’s be honest, the rest are probably not much better.
However, England find themselves in what many appear to be a tough group. Group G will see Wembley play host to boring, yet consistent qualifiers Switzerland. No doubt their inclusion in the World Cup will help prove this statement, although, I hope for everyone’s sake, that they do not live up to such high expectations and actually play in a game which is remembered for its exciting football, rather than its insurmountable amount of rain or extensive penalty misses against co-hosts Ukraine.
Bulgaria will also come to the home of football. A nation whose name has an almost onomatopoeia like element, instantly suggesting a hard fought graft will be needed for any visiting team who comes to Sofia with any point taking aspirations. Montenegro pose similar prospects. The side may be deemed a minor, but then again it has risen sharply up the FIFA’s world rankings in the last couple of years.
The crowning glory of the fixture list, is an old fashioned home nations fiesta against Wales. Well, maybe fiesta is not quite the right word, unless of course Wales cause a major upset and beat their only real neighbours, taking hope from the shock Northern Ireland gave England when David Healy scored the only goal when qualifying for Euro 2008 World Cup 2006??? As for Wales, let’s just hope they do not receive a thumping like the one they got at Twickenham in the 6 nations yesterday.
Hard though this group may be, if England are really worried by the likes of Montenegro, then they do not deserve to make it to Poland and Ukraine in 2012. Especially when you look at the group their northern neighbours have been landed in. Scotland, due to their collapsing world ranking, find that they will face the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Liechenstein and current European Champions, and most people’s favourites for the World Cup, Spain. In a tournament where only the top placed team qualifies, Scotland’s chances look slim at best.
However, 6 months is a long time in football. Maybe by that time Scotland will have recaptured their former glory, under new manager Craig Levein. Maybe Wales will have enticed Ryan Giggs back into the national side, enabling them to conquer over the English. And maybe England will have a captain who actually deserves to wear the armband. Put all three together, and you have some idea of the odds of England winning the World Cup in summer, so let’s just hope we qualify for Euro 2012.
Tombstone XI Kill Off Strathclyde
Edinburgh University second team continued their journey to the BUCS Cup final after a hard-fought, but deserved win against Strathclyde in the quarter-finals. The 3-1 victory means that Burgh will face either St. Andrews or Aberdeen in the semis, where the final beckons.
The game itself did not pass without many an incident, the first of which proved that right-back Nicky Gam is not only a handsome man, but a mini bus driver. Yet, Edinburgh arrived safely in-time for the 2pm kick off; the referee on the other hand, had other ideas and pitched up to the icy 3G surface at 2:30. The elongated wait only seemed to invigorate both sides, as the game spent the first 20minutes in hi-octane fury, with both sides trying to assert some dominance.
Football however, took a backseat 22minutes in when the Strathclyde forward chased a high bouncing through ball but his efforts only saw him find the outrushing goalkeeping machine of Tom Agnew. The clash saw the striker knocked out, with calls for a medic urgently made from all camps. The striker did eventually manage to walk off, to everyone’s relief, being replaced by a centre back upfront.
The deadlock was broken 30minutes in when Steve Kenny flicked on to find Mario Velez in the box. The striker showed his unquestionable ability, and after a couple of step-overs, put the ball on a plate for strike-partner Erskine to slot home.
Erskine then doubled the lead by heading in Steve Kenny’s exquisite cross sending the away team into delirium. The sides then battled out the remaining 10, with Alex Maxwell coming closest to scoring once more for Burgh, but his shot was miraculously saved by the Clyde Keeper.
The second half commenced with Velez being replaced by Kyle O’Neill early on and the two sides once again locked in battle. But Burgh had warhorse Dave Meehan at the heart of their midfield, orchestrating the fight, and winning it comfortably. The Irishman then produced a fine save from the Strathclyde keeper, after his half-volley was tipped onto the inside of the post.
Angus Ramsay and Alex Petrie freshened things up, replacing Antoni and Erskine. And it wasn’t long before Ramsay found himself on the score sheet, following up on a spillage from the keeper to place the ball calmly into the empty net.
Strathclyde did eventually pull one consolation goal back, however their persistence was bettered by the intensity of the Burgh defence, giving no time or space for anyone from the opposition to really settle on the ball.
So, Edinburgh progress into the semi-finals, returning to a snowy city via a mini-bus McDonald’s drive through. The health of their bodies potentially in doubt, but the health of their chances of retaining the cup they won 12 months previously, still in full working shape. Let’s just hope that come the end of March we are still exclaiming “Long live the Tombstone”.
The game itself did not pass without many an incident, the first of which proved that right-back Nicky Gam is not only a handsome man, but a mini bus driver. Yet, Edinburgh arrived safely in-time for the 2pm kick off; the referee on the other hand, had other ideas and pitched up to the icy 3G surface at 2:30. The elongated wait only seemed to invigorate both sides, as the game spent the first 20minutes in hi-octane fury, with both sides trying to assert some dominance.
Football however, took a backseat 22minutes in when the Strathclyde forward chased a high bouncing through ball but his efforts only saw him find the outrushing goalkeeping machine of Tom Agnew. The clash saw the striker knocked out, with calls for a medic urgently made from all camps. The striker did eventually manage to walk off, to everyone’s relief, being replaced by a centre back upfront.
The deadlock was broken 30minutes in when Steve Kenny flicked on to find Mario Velez in the box. The striker showed his unquestionable ability, and after a couple of step-overs, put the ball on a plate for strike-partner Erskine to slot home.
Erskine then doubled the lead by heading in Steve Kenny’s exquisite cross sending the away team into delirium. The sides then battled out the remaining 10, with Alex Maxwell coming closest to scoring once more for Burgh, but his shot was miraculously saved by the Clyde Keeper.
The second half commenced with Velez being replaced by Kyle O’Neill early on and the two sides once again locked in battle. But Burgh had warhorse Dave Meehan at the heart of their midfield, orchestrating the fight, and winning it comfortably. The Irishman then produced a fine save from the Strathclyde keeper, after his half-volley was tipped onto the inside of the post.
Angus Ramsay and Alex Petrie freshened things up, replacing Antoni and Erskine. And it wasn’t long before Ramsay found himself on the score sheet, following up on a spillage from the keeper to place the ball calmly into the empty net.
Strathclyde did eventually pull one consolation goal back, however their persistence was bettered by the intensity of the Burgh defence, giving no time or space for anyone from the opposition to really settle on the ball.
So, Edinburgh progress into the semi-finals, returning to a snowy city via a mini-bus McDonald’s drive through. The health of their bodies potentially in doubt, but the health of their chances of retaining the cup they won 12 months previously, still in full working shape. Let’s just hope that come the end of March we are still exclaiming “Long live the Tombstone”.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Intramural Excitement
So, it all begins with numerous awkward phone calls. First, the nervous introduction. “Hi. Are you Ed?” “Yes, I am”. Followed by the inspection. “Do you, (a slight pause and almost certainly some shifting of eyes), referee?” “Yes, I do”. Then comes the elongated explanation about why a random boy has my number and is ringing me up during the day, giving me times, giving me dates, informing me what his favourite type of sandwich is, before culminating in the true meaning of the call, “Are you available to referee our match?”. “No.” “Oh, (another pause, this one full of embarrassment, of confusion, as if I had led him on whilst listening to all his chat about his sandwich when I knew I could not do the game. Eventually he comes to his senses)...Oh, goodbye” “Goodbye”.
The truth is I already have a rendezvous with the Jack Kane receptionist at 2 on a Sunday. And at that allotted time I take the changing room key and go join the other, slightly older referees. The chat blossoms, but unfortunately the time comes when one has to leave to find the teams who are supposedly attempting to play football on a pitch that has motorbike tracks going across it. But eventually I find my foolish employers, little do they know that my refereeing is as good as their playing ability, if not slightly worse in some cases.
And so the game begins. The ball being “hoofted” around the park by players who clearly used their legs until the early hours of the morning, the alcohol the reason why they kicked the opposing player rather than the football. The score reaches 3-0, I look at my watch in despair, it shows 7 minutes played. However, shouts of “We can still win!”, “Fight, fight for your lives!” and “Don’t worry keeper, you will catch the ball next time” are all too common, as one or two players make vein attempts to rally the dejected troops and amass a surge for glory.
Of course, these shouts are intermingled with the grumblings of the losing team, mutterings of complaint directed at a disconcerted referee. It must be my fault that they are now 6-1 down. For a start, it was definitely a foul throw, not to mention that guy shouted “mine” as opposed to his name. Clear infringements of the laws of the game, what is the ref playing at?
I suppose, I am not perfect, I do indeed make mistakes and so I can generally take credit for 1 or possibly 2 of the goals. Yet, before directing abuse at me, maybe they should consider the perfect pass they made, to the opposing forward. Or the fact they just tried to do a Cruyff turn and instead, tripped in the mud. Or potentially even consider that header they made that looped over the keeper nicely for an own goal. Yet, do they hear me complain?
One game I refereed even saw the unthinkable occur. A substitution took place, this being a regular occurrence, especially for those who have not seen a treadmill in the last 5 years. However, as one player left the field, another joined, jogging on with eyes of the following team watching her every movement. One of the boys recovered his composer and cried “kick the ball down her wing lads”. The poor girl, who was by far not the worst player I have seen play intramural, was then bombarded with long balls, every kick aimed in her direction. The openness of their tactics was embarrassing, but then they did score 5 goals from it.
At the end everyone trundles off to the changing rooms, lamenting missed opportunities or recalling fortuitous 40 yard goals. I gather my worthy £28, whilst listening to the players complain about the weather, the pitch, the referee, the changing rooms, everything and anything. But still they play in their droves, because this, is intramural football.
The truth is I already have a rendezvous with the Jack Kane receptionist at 2 on a Sunday. And at that allotted time I take the changing room key and go join the other, slightly older referees. The chat blossoms, but unfortunately the time comes when one has to leave to find the teams who are supposedly attempting to play football on a pitch that has motorbike tracks going across it. But eventually I find my foolish employers, little do they know that my refereeing is as good as their playing ability, if not slightly worse in some cases.
And so the game begins. The ball being “hoofted” around the park by players who clearly used their legs until the early hours of the morning, the alcohol the reason why they kicked the opposing player rather than the football. The score reaches 3-0, I look at my watch in despair, it shows 7 minutes played. However, shouts of “We can still win!”, “Fight, fight for your lives!” and “Don’t worry keeper, you will catch the ball next time” are all too common, as one or two players make vein attempts to rally the dejected troops and amass a surge for glory.
Of course, these shouts are intermingled with the grumblings of the losing team, mutterings of complaint directed at a disconcerted referee. It must be my fault that they are now 6-1 down. For a start, it was definitely a foul throw, not to mention that guy shouted “mine” as opposed to his name. Clear infringements of the laws of the game, what is the ref playing at?
I suppose, I am not perfect, I do indeed make mistakes and so I can generally take credit for 1 or possibly 2 of the goals. Yet, before directing abuse at me, maybe they should consider the perfect pass they made, to the opposing forward. Or the fact they just tried to do a Cruyff turn and instead, tripped in the mud. Or potentially even consider that header they made that looped over the keeper nicely for an own goal. Yet, do they hear me complain?
One game I refereed even saw the unthinkable occur. A substitution took place, this being a regular occurrence, especially for those who have not seen a treadmill in the last 5 years. However, as one player left the field, another joined, jogging on with eyes of the following team watching her every movement. One of the boys recovered his composer and cried “kick the ball down her wing lads”. The poor girl, who was by far not the worst player I have seen play intramural, was then bombarded with long balls, every kick aimed in her direction. The openness of their tactics was embarrassing, but then they did score 5 goals from it.
At the end everyone trundles off to the changing rooms, lamenting missed opportunities or recalling fortuitous 40 yard goals. I gather my worthy £28, whilst listening to the players complain about the weather, the pitch, the referee, the changing rooms, everything and anything. But still they play in their droves, because this, is intramural football.
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