Maryhill v Lesmahagow

[hollerman]

Central League – Division 1

Saturday 19^th September 2015

MARYHILL 2 LESMAHAGOW 4

Maryhill’s promotion aspirations took another setback, after having to play the entire second half a man short, and with an outfield player in goal.

They could not have got off to a better start, however, when, following a spell of early pressure, they were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute. Stewart Hall fouled William Wells inside the penalty area, and SHAUN FRASER made his usual efficient job from the spot to put Hill ahead. The lead only lasted five minutes when Mark Fitzpatrick drifted through a static Maryhill defence to set up a chance for JACK CURRIE, who found the net from close range. Maryhill then had an opportunity to regain the lead, but Andy Monaghan’s shot was just too high.Lesmahagow had a spell of dominance thereafter, and Grant Hay made good saves in quick succession from Currie and Ryan Docherty. Hill hit back once more, and Kieran Furay came close on a couple of occasions, but it was the visitors who went ahead for the first time seven minutes from the interval. Although it was probably deserved on the balance of play, it came about through more poor defending. Grant Hay remained on the goal line as Jordan Whitefield’s corner from the left floated into the goal area, and RYAN KENNEDY rose unchallenged to head high into the net. Following more good play involving Currie and Fitzpatrick, Stewart Hall’s shot came to close to increasing Gow’s lead, before the game’s turning point arrived in first half injury time. Paul Coyle’s passback to Grant Hay was intercepted by Mark Fitzpatrick, and as the Gow striker advanced on goal, he was fouled by the Maryhill keeper. It was a clear goal scoring opportunity, and referee Kevin McElhinney had no option but to award a penalty and send the Hill keeper off. With no goalkeeper on the bench, midfielder Kieran Furay took over in goal, but could not prevent RYAN DOCHERTY from scoring from the spot.

Half Time – Maryhill 1 Lesmahagow 3

With the proverbial mountain to climb in the second period, things got worse for Maryhill after only seven minutes when JACK CURRIE got his second and Lesmahagow’s fourth with an easy tap in following an accurate cross from Jordan Whitefield. Maryhill seemed to lose heart after this, and a heavy defeat looked a distinct possibility, but despite dominating for long spells, and missing a catalogue of good scoring opportunities, Lesmahagow failed to put stand-in keeper Furay to the test. Indeed, in the final quarter Maryhill rallied and put the visitors’ defence under pressure. With sixteen minutes remaining, the best goal of the game came when a clever shot on the turn from ANDY MONAGHAN left visitors’ keeper Derek Barnes stranded on the goal line as the ball found the corner of the net. After eighty eight minutes sub Justin Begg had a good opportunity to score and set up an interesting final few minutes, but he curled his shot well wide of the target, and any hopes of a fight back evaporated.

In the end, there was little doubt that the better team won, and had Lesmahagow been a bit sharper in front of goal, the winning margin could have been greater. Maryhill’s defence looked very vulnerable at times, and this will obviously have to be addressed as a matter of urgency, especially in view of the fact that their next game is away to league leaders Rossvale, who have scored an impressive nineteen goals in their opening four league games. It is also clear that this is going to be an extremely competitive league, with no one unbeaten after four games, and only three points between the first and ninth placed teams.

MARYHILL-: Hay, Beckley, Luke Tolland, Coyle, Walton (Quinn 56), Callender, Furay, Ndluvo, Monaghan, Fraser (Ferguson 77), Wells (Begg 61).

SUBS (not used) – McLernon, Asante.

SCORERS- Fraser (pen 4), Monaghan (74)

YELLOW CARDS – Ndluvo (12), Callender (37)

RED CARD – Hay (45+1)

LESMAHAGOW- Barnes, Hall, Hanlon, Low, Kennedy, Lygate, Hamilton (Brown 64), Docherty, Fitzpatrick (Coffey 45),Currie, Whitefield.

SUBS (not used) – Logan, Gordon.

SCORERS- Currie (9, 52), Kennedy (38), Docherty (pen 45+2)

YELLOW CARDS – None

RED CARDS – None

REFEREE – Kevin McElhinney

[Father Ted]

Good win for the Gow today, after last weeks dip.

Your report is much appreciated as don't get to as many games as I would like.

[Larky55]

Did Mark Fitzpatrick used to play for Motherwell ?