HotScots 3 - 2 Real Tuesday

A welcome break from the (relatively) high pressure of the Winter league, but not exactly our finest hour! Two nil up just after half time, we then crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, conceding three soft goals and missing a penalty near the end of the match.

The squad had a rather makeshift look to it, with Phil, Sam, Mike J, Graeme and wee Dave all absent.

Ross was also unavailable, but, rather than have to coax Dave Murray out of the padded cell he's been occupying since the St Columba's game, we were lucky enough to secure the services of HotScots back up keeper Martin Thomson for this game.

With Calder and Jim Hardie not due to pitch up until half time due to parental duties, we started with a back four of Jordan, Sheepy, Greg and Stu Blackhall, while our midfield 'three' was made up of Yasser, Ted and reluctant winger Pete Swan.

The first half was pretty cagey, with both teams struggling to make much headway on the very bobbly pitch. Our opening goal came after Pete swung in a lovely cross from the right; the HotScots defence didn't manage to clear their lines, and Jay lashed the ball home.

That was about the extent of the action before the interval, though the HotScots keeper made a fine save from Jay shortly after our goal and Martin also pulled off a useful stop late on.

Jim and Calder pitched up just before half time, so were pressed into action for the second half, Jim replacing Stu at right back and Calder replacing Swanny on the wing.

We doubled our lead shortly after the restart. Ted arced in from the left touchline, dribbled/bobbled the ball thru the HotScots defence and lashed in a shot that ended up in the net after hitting off both the keeper and the right hand post. Possibly an OG, but let's give Ted the nod to open his account for the Real!

We seemed to be cruising at this point, but began to lose the midfield as the shrewd substitutions made by the HotScots at half time started to take effect. We couldn't clear our lines or even string a couple of passes together, and it came as no great surprise when the HotScots pulled a goal back. It came after a fairly aimless lob into the box left Martin stranded off his line, allowing a lurking HotScot to pick his spot from close range.

The HotScots then came close to equalising after a dangerous cross from the right hand side that Martin only just managed to clutch on the line.

They then went one better and drew level after a speculative lob from way out flew over wee Martin's napper and into the net.

The third HotScots goal came from a corner on the left - in the resulting stramash, Martin and the ball were both bundled over the line and into the net. We claimed for a foul, but the ref wasn't interested.

We pushed for an equaliser, and thought it was in the bag when Calder was scythed as he lanced into the box from the right hand side. Jay took the spot kick, but hit it slow, low and too close to the keeper, who saved well. The heavy pitch probably didn't make things any easier for Jay, but let's continue to give him pelters about this for some time to come (he even has previous - ask Swanny!)

We had one further chance to draw level, the HotScots keeper doing well to tip a shot from Yasser over the bar.

Second half substitutions were triggered by Yasser and Ted coming off due to tiredness and injury, respectively. Jim replaced Yasser in the midfield, with Stu going back on at right back, then Yass went back on to replace Ted when his feet refused to work on the lumpy grass of Fettes.

Not too many positives to be taken from this one, then, though Ted did a grand job of filling the Phil-shaped hole in central midfield. Martin also put in a good shift in goals, kicking well and communicating really well with his defenders. Beardy Dave is also very good at the latter - must be a West coast thing!

Did I mention that Jay missed a penalty?

Bill

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