21/11/2021
Raith Rovers 4 – 2 Duloch Juniors
Once again the team have been at their bare bones, due to illness, injury and work commitments we went into this game against a very strong Raith Rovers team with 11 players, 1 of which is his first day out due to illness.
The boys started brightly, challenging where appropriate and standing the opposition up when they should, when they had possession of the ball they spread it about really well.
Chances came and went but the play was equal and nice to watch, tackles were full crunch but also fair and nice to watch.
From 32 minutes the boys switched off and the opposition took the lead with what appeared to be their first shot at goal.
Bickering started and they lost their way for a while, the opposition took full advantage of this and by the 40th minute were 3-0 to the good.
We got through to half time, get them in and offered words of wisdom, we’ve all been there, we’ve all made mistakes, your team mate will make mistakes and beat himself up about it. Encourage them, instead of adding to their “woes” and you’ll see the difference.
NO guidance on how to play, they know how to play, they just needed some kind words and encouragement and see how their play would develop.
We asked them to win the second half, don’t chase the game, just go and win the half and see where that takes them.
Second half started as the first half did, the boys played football, challenged where they needed to and stood the opposition up where they had to.
In attack they carved up the opposition time and time again.
On the 51st minute with the boys on the attack, the ball cleared out to Jay Ward who hit a rocket shot coming off the underside of the crossbar and into the goals. The boys now had hope.
Play continued as before and on the 61st minute, again with the boys on the attack the ball broke out to Kieran Crielly who lobbed the keeper for a great goal. The boys now had belief.
Due to an injury we went down to 10 men for 10 minutes until our left back could recover, during that time the opposition crossed into the box and was met with their attacker giving them a 2 goal lead again. Now we’ll see of the guidance has been taken on board.
Yes, it had, the boys dug deep, kept it compact and when our left back was fit enough he joined back in and created chance after chance but no more goals would come.
Great effort from the boys and great hard fair play by both teams.
Goals
Jay Ward
Kieran Crielly
Man of the Match
Kieran Crielly
