The Panthers first game of 2024 saw them face unbeaten league leaders Carnoustie Panmure. Not for the first time, Panmure "strengthened" their team by plundering the Panthers squad during the "transfer window". The Panthers squad was down to the bare bones as both Carr and Gaszewski called off late due to injury and illness. Although Mackay is back in training he was still in the process of building his fitness and wouldn't be ready for this one. Cuthill was unavailable due to family commitments and not for the first time this season Ritchie was unavailable for reasons unknown. That meant only 4 subs for the Panthers in their biggest game of the season. The Panthers went with a 4-1-4-1 formation. Mcguire started in goals behind a back 4 of Layton on the right, B.Smith on the left and M.Smyth and D.Smith in the centre. R.Smyth was given the defensive midfield duty behind Gettings and Reid. Taylor occupied the left flank with Jackson on the right. Cargill was the main focal point up top. Martin, Rakowski, Ruxton and trialist Alammar made up the subs bench.

Panmure started this game with confidence brimming and came with the notion that turning up was all that was required for the days 3 points. Underestimate the Panther family spirit at your own pearl. Following a heavy defeat earlier in the season to their Angus rivals and with the away side sporting no less that 3 ex Panther players the lads were straight out to prove a point. In the early exchanges it was the Panthers who were right up for this one. Reid and Gettings were both penalised for bone crunching challenges although they both won the ball cleanly. Too aggressive for the referees liking though who must've been watching too much netball in recent times. The early confrontations were dominated all over the park by the Panthers and this was the catalyst for the opening goal.

It only took the Panthers 5 minutes to open their new year account when Taylor was first to a loose ball in the centre of the park. His exquisite "trivela" pass with the outside of his left foot, floated beautifully over the Panmure defence into the path of ARCHIE CARGILL who left his marker for dead before shoe lacing his shot beyond the helpless keeper. Gaps were opening up in the Panmure defence and the Panthers were smelling blood.

The Panthers 2nd came before the 10 minute mark. Following some desperate defending, Panmure conceded a corner. Jackson swept in a wicked corner that was turned into his own net by a bewildered Panmure midfielder. With their tails up and the Carnoustie players arguing amongst themselves the Panthers remained focused.on the job in hand. The back 4 of Layton, B.Smith, D.Smith and M.Smyth along with midfielders R.Smyth and Gettings were battering into tackles which were shaking the graves of their opponents ancestors.

The Panmure boys couldn't cope with the young Panthers men and the 3rd was scored with just 20minutes on the clock. More pressure was exerted on the Panmure backline and when their 'keeper came out of his area he could only half clear as his attempted kick found ARRAN TAYLOR some 40 yards out. Taylor met the ball first time and floated the ball high over the Panmure 'keeper into the empty net for a wee goal of the season contender.

In the heat of the battle, R.Smyth had to be temporarily replaced as he took a ball square on the nose. Ruxton took up Smyth's place in the centre and he picked up where his teammate had left and proceeded to fly into a few meaty challenges himself. Mcguire was then called into action when he had to get down smartly to a low cross and then dive bravely at the feet of a striker to gather the ball in. Moments later he showed good hands with a powerful shot that lesser 'keepers might have spilt.

Reid then required some treatment as his calf muscles tightened up. R.Smyth returned to the action in the engine room. Before the half, B.Smith was fouled out on the left. R.Smyth stepped up but fired his shot just over the crossbar. The Panthers left the field for half time with the fire still raging in their bellies and Panmure walking off not knowing what had hit them.

The second half saw Carnoustie play for damage limitation as the plugged the holes in their defence with more bodies. They upped their game slightly in an attempt to get back into the game but the Panthers were having none of it....not today. Layton and M.Smyth, the 2 smallest players on the park played with a passion that Willie Wallace himself would have admired. Any attack Carnoustie mustered was thwarted by these 2 as they rattled into tackles and made recovery tackles for their teammates when called upon.

B.Smith who was also having a stormer of a game had to be replaced as blisters were getting too much for him. Taylor dropped back to left back, Reid came over to the left wing and Martin took to the field on the right wing. The red headed Martin was in his element as he joined in with the tough tackling, snarling into tackles and biting ankles like a wee angry terrier. Gettings had a great chance to put the game beyond doubt when Taylor picked him out from a corner kick. Unfortunately Gettings must've had his eyes closed as he completely missed the ball.

In the final 5 minutes Panmure finally pulled one back following the first mistake by the Panthers rear guard and their striker finished well into the bottom corner. Carnoustie tried to mount an onslaught at the end but the Panthers were in an unforgiving mood and no quarter was given as the lads held out strong until the final whistle to run out 3-1 winners.

This was the Panthers best spirited performance of the season by far. Hopefully a learning curve to what can be achieved when attitudes are spot on and the team fight together. There was so many contenders for the M.O.M accolade as every player to a man gave his all for the cause today. As previously mentioned....2 stood out just that wee bit more and that was CHARLIE LAYTON and MACK SMYTH.