Maryhill v St Anthony's 27/5/2015

[hollerman]

Central League - Division 1

Wednesday 27^th May 2015

MARYHILL 4 ST ANTHONY’S 3

After last weeks’ ten goal thriller against Larkhall, the Lochburn regulars had to make do with a mere seven goals this time around in a keenly contested match.

There was certainly no end of season feel about the game with the visitors desperate for points to fight off the threat of relegation. As a result, the ninety minutes were played like a cup tie with play swinging continually from end to end. Neither side had any clear cut chances in the opening twenty minutes, but it was St Anthony’s who found the net first when ROSS CUMMING rose above the Maryhill defence to send a powerful header into the net. The lead lasted only six minutes, when SHAUN FRASER shot home from close range after Jonny Duncan in the visitors’ goal failed to hold a fierce 25 yard drive from Kieran Furay. Although Maryhill had nothing to play for apart from finishing in third place in the league, they entered into the spirit of the game and stepped up the pressure on the Ants’ defence. Seven minutes from the break they took the lead when a well-judged pass from Paul Callander sent ANDY MONAGAHN clear, and he fired a blistering shot into the net from a tight angle. St Anthony’s rallied and drew level five minutes later following an uncharacteristic blunder from Hill keeper Grant Hay. There appeared to be little danger as he rose to catch a cross from the left, but the ball slipped from his grasp leaving PAUL McGLINCHY the easy task of stroking the ball into the net.

Half Time – Maryhill 2 St Anthony’s 2

Three minutes into the second half it was the turn of Ants’ keeper Jonny Duncan to have a red face when he fumbled the ball, with LUKE TOLLAND on hand to put Maryhill ahead for the second time. Hill looked likely to increase their lead at this point and Duncan atoned for his earlier error by saving well from a powerful Justin Begg shot. They then had a strong penalty claim turned down when Andy Monaghan appeared to be pulled back as he advanced on goal, but the see-saw nature of the game continued as the visitors fought back and equalised once again mid away through the half. Sub Chris Jackson’s cross from the right eluded the Hill defence and found the unmarked DAVID OMOZIC, who headed home. The final twenty minutes saw spells of pressure from both sides with Paul Callander and Andy Monaghan coming close for Hill, and Shane Jackson having a ‘goal’ disallowed for the visitors. With only two minutes remaining, Maryhill got the decisive goal which earned them all three points, with PAUL CALLANDER finishing off good work by Justin Begg and firing a low shot into the net. Maryhill passed up a great chance to make it five in injury time. With the entire Ant’s team pushing forward in the search for an equaliser, sub Allan Orr picked up a clearance just inside the Maryhill half, and advanced on goal, took the ball past the keeper, but his cut back from near the by-line was missed by three unmarked Hill players inside the six yard box.

MARYHILL -: Hay, Beckley, Coyle, McLernon, Banks, Callander, Begg (Orr 89), Furay, Monaghan, Fraser, L.Tolland.

SUBS (not used) – J.Tolland, Asante, Baiashvili.

SCORERS- Fraser (28), Monaghan (38), Tolland (48), Callander (88).

YELLOW CARDS – Begg (33), Coyle (44), Banks (66), Callander (70).

RED CARDS – None

ST ANTHONY’S – Duncan, Crawford, Miller, McDonald, Conway, Cumming (S.Jackson 64), McCuish (C.Jackson 45), Maxwell, Docherty, Omozic, McGlinchy.

SUBS (not used) – Patterson, Wilson, McIntosh.

SCORERS – Cumming (22), McGlinchy (42), Omozic (67).

YELLOW CARDS – Docherty (21), Omozic (48), Maxwell (78).

RED CARDS – None

REFEREE – Richard Murray

MAN OF THE MATCH – Paul McLernon

[cotter]

must say,,maryhill showed a great attitude n wit was a meaniless game,,for them,,agree with,above,post was a great game for the neutral,,also a big call,for the referee to chalk ants goal off with 2 mins to go,to put ants 4-3 up,,,,,but fair play to maryhill,who then went up the park to score the winner,,,,,,also a must say michael tolland has done a superb job fae he took over at maryhill,,,,,,cheers cotter

[Hillonearth]

All credit as well to both sets of players for giving it everything they had on a terrible night, you could see at the end they were totally spent. Get a couple of those trialists signed btw - they look the part!

Like I said to you after the game, I really hope that's not the game that puts you down - got a lot of time for the Ants, and I'd love to see the remaining results go your way..