Football: Belhaven 0-5 Merchiston

In four years we have never beaten Merchiston but due to some promising results this year (1-4 and 0-3) and good enthusiasm amongst a willing and talented squad, we have allowed ourselves to dream a little. It is against this background that we went into the third of four contests with Merchiston this year and though brave and strong in areas, came up unfortunately short again.

The game was tight for the first fifteen minutes as both sides struggled to create any real chances; Belhaven's offside line held firm (just about) but the goalmouth needed the curly head of Wilf and the sharp-cut thatch of Hamish (twice) to maintain parity. Belhaven were defending solidly but creating little up front - we simply struggled to get the ball much distance from our own goal and sure enough, one's luck will last only so long.

A lovely through-ball split our centre-backs open and the pace of the Merchiston striker took him away from blue shirts, to slot home confidently past Ross in goal. Five minutes later it was two, as marking at a corner led to a free header by the near post creeping just inside the post. On the stroke of half-time it was all over as the three-quarters of the defensive line pushed up but one quarter stayed in and when the through-ball came, Merchiston were left onside in front of goal - bang, 3-0.

So a game which had started with promise had turned on its head with three goals at the end of the first half, unfortunately for us, all from individual errors rather than forcing the opposition into particularly good play.

The second half began much more confidently and with the words of the coach advising them to remember their own jobs and battles, and to play the ball in down the left more often ringing in their ears, the boys were well up for it. The first fifteen minutes of the half were very much like the first fifteen of the first half, but with the slope of Dingly Dell playing in our favour, we were attacking much further up the field.

Jamie, Mungo and Ross were all kicking well, Wilf was having his customary effective game and Jock was getting in some excellent blocks. Jamie and George were linking well and Jamie was encouraging communication throughout the team.

Late in the game, though, our weakness of not keeping an eye on and picking up our men came back to haunt us, however, and twice more we were sliced open and Merchiston slid through to pop the ball past Ross, to polish the score a little for Merchiston at 5-0. The nature of the goals, catching us a little cold and on the break was ironically due to us having more of the ball in the opposition's territory, pushing up but then not having the speed when up against nifty strikers chasing long through-balls towards our goal.

So another defeat but let's not be downhearted. We lost trying to play good football, and at times, we managed this, especially whenever George, Hamish and Jamie got on the ball. In previous seasons we have gone down much more heavily than this, but 7,8, even 9 goals, so to lose by 3,3 and 5 constitutes progress in the right direction, if not yet destination reached.

The workrate today was excellent all round. Ross produced some good saves and the defence did well for the more part in their organisation and discipline to keep the ball away from our goal. The midfield got more stuck in than usual and Jamie was evident in taking the game by the scruff of the neck and breaking up and challenging Merchiston ball. Hamish and George were typically stylish and gritty, when needed, and Mungo put himself about well. Well done to everybody.

Three more chances this season to get that win, boys! That's our target.

Man of the match for a captain's role and fighting perfomance: Jamie Farr.

Thank you to the parents who took the time to watch us.

Squad: Ross Donaldson, Wilf de la Hey, Alexander Hall, Jock Stodart, Duncan Mackenzie, George Watson, Hughie Brooks, Jamie Farr (c.), Hamish Venters (v.-c.), Sam Pooley, Mungo Harley, Tom Brooke.

Next up: Belhaven Hill U-13s vs. Clifton Hall (h.), Saturday, 28th January, 14:30.

Here are some snaps from today:

P1210174