The recipe for an entertaining football match would presumably consist of all the factors present last night.
Take 1 promising team of underdogs, mix with one fine established team in a well lit grassy surfaced sprinkled with a salty gale and bake for 90 minutes.
All of these factors were certainly to be found last night with Fisherrow blowing a now infamous Easterly gale. Taking into account the standard of team we were up against calls were made to a couple more experienced players, namely Greig Johnstone and Olsson, and also a shout was sent to Gordon Mackenzie’s mate Lewis a committed shinty player with a pretty in depth defensive knowledge. Despite the predicted high tempo match up ahead we were only able to bring together a squad of 12 due to communication errors and the close proximity to Sunday’s match against Teuchters. The starting 11 consisted of Jacob in goals, in defense (from left to right) J.Dick (captain), Greig Johnstone, Gordon Mackenzie, and Declan Kinsella, in midfield (l-r) Jamie Stevenson, Clarky, Marcin, and Alwyn Flaws, starting up front were Olsson and Val. On the ‘bench’ was Lewis, Gordon’s mate.
Because of the intense nature of the game, the scoreline, and the fact that I missed about 15 minutes getting changed after being subbed off a full match report is near enough impossible. However I will give a bit of a summary. As expected Haddington came right out the traps and turned on the pressure that would inevitably last 90 minutes. The first few attacks could have proved fruitful for HAFC with an ex-Swindon striker lashing in a couple good attempts but Jacob started off as he meant to go on with some truly brilliant saves. A couple more attacks were deftly dealt with and put out for corners and it was from one of these that the deadlock was eventually broken when HAFC stabbed home from a couple yards. The pressure continued with the inimitable winger ‘Jackie’ cuasing me problem after problem with his truly outrageous pace. After a couple similar goals to the first the half time whistle was blown with us sitting in the respectable position of being 3-0 down, which was both evidence of our resilient defence but also evidence of just how wasteful Haddington had been in front of goal spurning many chances.
The second half started off much the same way as the first with VAFC coming under some intense fire that was well dealt with by the comparitively miniscule Declan Kinsella proving himself worthy of the opposition with some strength that must have been unexpected by Haddington. The volleys did put up some fair pressure under the circumstances with newcomer Greig Johnstone coming very close with a brilliant attempt. On the hour mark I gave up the ghost after starting the match far from 100% fit after ruining myself against Teuchters and was substituted for Lewis who put in a worryingly brilliant performance. Eventually the final whistle was blown closing a belter of an affair with Staggs losing 7-0 and matching Musselburgh Windsor U21s pre-season result, which was secretly my target.
To only go down 7-0 against a team containing semi-pros, ex pros and even one ex FC Steaua Bucureşti player with champions league experience (who thankfully was spared this encounter). Despite the result there were some remarkably performances, Jacob put in a consistently good shift between the sticks and despite shipping 7 goals was solid. Gordon Mackenzie put in the usual machinistic performance running down every single ball and doing well pushing forward on a couple of occasions. Lewis must also be noted for his brilliant performance off the bench putting in some excellent decisive tackles, one of which denied a goal for Haddington and was unfortunate to be penalised for a questionable handball. Howeve the one player who walks away with the most glory and the man of the match award is Declan Kinsella who did exceptionally well to deal with players that most 15 years olds under 5ft in height would normally run away requiring a fresh pair of underwear.
Definite positives to be taken from the encounter, and despite coming under fire for going ahead with the fixture I think we will reap the positives from it and we will go into our game against Wester Hailes Batist Church FC and bang in the goals.
Keep the faith
JD
