|
|
|
 |
Saturday, August 8 SAINTS 2 v 0 Inverness City
Inverness City made the long trip from the Highland capital in only their second season in Junior football and gave Saints a tough game playing some attractive football, but as they pointed out before the game, fail to score enough goals.
Saints Phil Watson's intercepted pass in the 2nd minute sounded warning bells when a City forward broke through but fired well past. The visitors continued to play some good football, but without ever seriously threatening Greg Sim in the Banchory goal.
After only 20 minutes, Allan Ogston had to be replaced by Matty Reid when he sustained a nasty hand injury. Sim set up a quick break for Saints when he threw out to Courage for the forward to square the ball across the goalmouth only for Keith Horne's shot to be blocked. Then at the other end City had a similar move but this time there were no takers when the ball fizzed across the 6 yard box.
On 35 minutes Sim had to look lively when he sprinted to the edge of his box to kick clear, but the final 10 minutes of the half saw Banchory apply the pressure looking for the opener.
And Saints continued where they left off by pushing Inverness back in the opening minutes of the second half. Horne flashing low cross was well held at the near post by The Inverness keeper, but the keeper was not so clever in the 50th minute when he palmed away Horne's corner to the feet of Lee Shanks, for the midfielder to fire high into the roof of the net from close range.
Sim once again had to clear outside his box, and then Phil Watson put in a great tackle to block an Inverness shot as the Highlanders retaliated. But then Magnus Barclay passed up a great chance to make it 2-0 when with the keeper well out of his goal, the young midfielder chipped the ball well over the open goals from 30 yards.
Banchory were now dominant and three corners in quick succession kept the pressure on their visitors. Lewis Shand then came on for Matty Reid and shortly after Neale Henderson replaced Mark Galashan with 15 minutes remaining.
Andy Courage was making his presence up front for Saints and his low cross was palmed away for Keith Horne to slide the ball past a post. But minutes later the wee striker picked up a loose ball and with everyone shouting for him to pass, he unleashed a terrific left foot 30 yarder that flew into the roof of the net.
Inverness were still getting themselves into good positions with some fine play, but they could not apply the finishing touch. Their centre forward thought he would score but Sim was on hand to save his point blank shot.
In the final few minutes Horne was straight through with just the keeper to beat, but the City stopper pushed his curling shot round the post for a corner, and then a Horne, Barclay move almost gave Courage the chance to score from close range.
The win puts Saints at the top of the Grill League Cup Section 5 on the same points as Banks O'Dee, but with a better goal difference. A draw would be enough next Saturday 15th August (ko 2.30) against Dee at Spain Park to qualify for the Quarter Final, but they will have to improve fo that to happen.
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Banchory St Ternan Football Club View Our Guestbook | Sign Our Guestbook 2 visitors have signed our guestbook. |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
