29/08/2026
A new match report can only mean one thing…..We may have managed to avoid defeat!
With 3 league games remaining and the Crieff outfit sitting in mid table position, it was time for the final Away game of the league campaign. Away games inevitably mean taking a maximum squad size of 12 for the fixture. This week was no different. So with the acceptance of having to get stuck in for the full 90 minutes the team got on with it and started the game of with positive intentions.
The league table showed that fellow mid table outfit, Riverside, do a very good job of conceding goals, so with that in mind the line up went with 3 up top and the plan to put pressure on the Riverside back line. That approach started well with the home teams' defence creating some good opportunities for the Crieff side to test the goal. There was some nice attacking play and pressure applied from the attacking line of Dawson, Scotty and Glenn. With Scotty leading the line, the message was clear…focus on more goals and minimise cards from the ref…. Mission Failed!
The tenacious Dawson back in the lineup for another appearance was a bonus for the Crieff side, as his work rate and pressing created numerous chances. He managed to convert early in the first half with the away team taking an early lead.
The back four had a solid base with the ever cheerful Sinky in at RB encouraging his team mates at every opportunity. Paul and Craggy with a solid CB partnership and new addition to the squad, Mason in at LB. We welcome him to the squad with his peculiar accent, boosting the foreign contingent in the ranks. There must have been a slight language barrier to begin with as he produced a great save at the edge of the box, gifting Riverside with a dangerous free kick and collecting an early yellow. Once we cleared things up that he was only able to use his feet, he went on to have a solid debut and played very well.
We welcomed Bryn back in to the line up after injury, taking up the no. 10 position with an exquisite first touch we knew he had ability to create some opportunities. Unfortunately his second and third touches were more like rusty nails.
We reached half time 1-0 up and in control of the game. A familiar position for half time and usually where things begin to go wrong. The whistler had been dishing out yellow cards to the away side, like creeps at the park dish out sweeties. So the half time suggestion was to shut up and get on with it. Message received by the cheerful Sinky, who wasted no time in collecting an early yellow for dissent.
A standard solid first half performance from Craggy was followed up with his customary conceding of a penalty. Somewhat a surprise as many handballs up until then had been permitted.
With plenty of penalty practice in recent weeks, it was time for Sammy to step up and make an outstanding save from the pen. The shot stopper committed to the dive and stopped the ball finding the bottom corner. He then went on to make another outstanding save for the cameras, when the defence got caught out, and at full stretch he saved another shot from finding the bottom corner. In a pleasant surprise his distribution also seemed to find some of his intended targets too. With some direct play putting Scotty through on goals several times. He would go on to earn the POTM status. We promised not to mention the humiliating moment a gentle back pass drifted clean under his foot and millimetres outside the post. So we won't mention that! Another week avoiding a custodial sentence, is a bonus for the Crieff side to enjoy!
Father Glenn battled hard on the left of the pitch and even got involved in a confrontation that the good Lord would have raised any eyebrow at. A battling performance after a broken tibia and period out.
A solid defensive midfield performance from Brian Fiddle who made numerous vital interceptions and started many passages of play from his central position. Even when he had to be reminded from Dawson "You're for 40 years old, don't behave like that". He responded with a teary "I'm 43 Daws 😞 "
Bryn managed to finish off the game. After taking up many good positions and missing some great chances, the Riverside outfit took sympathy and allowed him the opportunity to score into an empty goal. A deserved outcome for his effort level in the game.
We saw the game out and with some guidance and encouragement from Aloysius at the side. He steered us through the final stages of the game to see us collect the three points and secure a rare clear sheet.
Thanks to Riverside for the game and special thanks to the ref for all the bookings we collected. There was a chorus of laughs towards the end of the game as the decision making had reached a new level of baffling.
The team executive chauffeur then took us on a trip round the local area. When we arrived at the local chippy, the Riverside striker fell out of Craggy's pocket as it appeared he was still marking him even after the game! Dawson then requested if the staff had "any spare chips available".
We rounded of the night with trip to a local boozer for a celebratory pint, and a bottle of milk for baby Daws (pictured in comments)!
On to the penultimate home game of the league campaign, where we are chasing a third place finish, and will require a big win to keep those hopes alive. We welcome the support at Strathearn campus for a 7pm kick off on September 11th.
* All views expressed in the match report are solely the opinions of the match reporter, and do not reflect the views, values, opinions and standards of those associated with the club.