U-13 FootbaLL:                          Merchiston 3-0 Belhaven

Sitting in a bus for forty minutes on the way to a match in never great fun and furthermore listening to 'Supersub' Tom Brooke (his own words) for the duration is always an experience. Tom's topics range from his opinions on and experience of speeding fines to his favourite pub in Yorkshire and anything and everything in between. Entertaining as it was, it was with some relief to the driver that he pulled into Merchiston and thus ended Tom's monologue.

We had driven through a snow flurry and driving sleet on the way and the weather was wet and bitterly cold. Tough cookie Hughie's asking me repeatedly if we could switch the game to the indoor sports' hall fell on deaf ears, unfortunately for him, so the freezing January outdoors it was. The walled garden outside Pringle always offers some shelter, however, and the beautiful snow-covered Pentlands provided an adequately picturesque backdrop to our game.

Merchiston always offers a terrific backdrop to our matches.

Captain Jamie with the snow-covered Pentlands behind.

Having never beaten Merchiston we knew we would have to play well and cut out any potential errors in our play. Merchiston, however, dominated posession and chances early on and it was deserved as they took a 1-0 lead due to Ross' kick-out going to a Merchiston striker who duly hammered the ball home. A second was not long in the coming as a long-range speculative effort was punched out only as far as a Merchiston head which nodded the home side two goals to the good.

Belhaven defend a corner.

We were playing too deep, as usual, and not getting the ball forward into areas where we could actually make any headway. Furthermore we were not picking out our men at the back and moving up effectively as a line. One exception to this was Wilf, who had an outstanding first half for us. These issues I addressed at half-time and they were well taken on board by the lads in the second half.

Having had the better of the first half, Merchiston were, however, not out of sight, and we were still in with a shout. We began to put some good moves together but the third, and decisive goal was slotted home by Merchiston as a pass sliced us open, marking being poor again.

This seemed to spur us into life, and finally we began to get some possession in dangerous areas. Duncan, who grew as the match went on, got involved in a little flurry down the right which ended up with him having a shot which was well saved down at the 'keeper's near post.

Hamish, who had an excellent second half, in for a tackle.

Some excellent passing between Mungo, George and Sam culminated in Sam having a shot saved and a couple of minuted later the same player was unlucky not to connect with a low cross into the six-yard box.

Hamish was by now coming into his own and making every contribution tell. His close control was excellent and the timing and accuracy of his crosses and through balls very good indeed. Much of the good we did in the second half went through Hamish and press we did.

Jock gets stuck in.

The Merchiston goal led somewhat of a charmed life as shots from Hamish and Sam rang in but crucially the net did not bulge for us. Our pressure in the end was immense and we spent the final ten minutes of the game camped inside the Merchiston half, George setting up good play and Jamie doing a manful job at organising and running. Sam's running was a huge bonus for us as we pushed and pushed for the goal or two that our play merited but sadly it did not come and the game finished 3-0 to the home team.

Ross comes out and did just enough on this occasion to deny the goal.

The boys finished the game on top theogh, and left Merchiston buoyant and in good spirits before next week's return leg at Belhaven. A superb game of football and a great advert for the game which was deservedly won by the stronger side, but a game about which we can say we played our best ever half of football, at least. Extremely well done to all of the boys who took part today; you all put in a good shift.

Men of the match: Wilf for his first half defensive actions and interceptions and Hamish for intelligent yet gritty wing-play in the second half.

Next up: Merchiston U-13, Thursday, 26th January, 14:00 kick-off (h.).