cup progression

Away at Kilmarnock under the clouds and Troon Thistle 2007 put Dean Thistle under pressure from the first whistle to the last. The training over the past two weeks was all about Possession, Passing and Position. All the team came together to show all three P's and produced a great team effort to progress to the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup. The opening goal came from some good play down the right wing by Ryan McKee, a strong pass across the goal mouth opened the field for Declan Baird to find the net to put TT2007 up 0-1. Declan Baird then took a one two with William Davies for a good set up and ran tot he by-line, Declan's ball through to Sammy Kyle gave Sammy a one on one with the keeper, instead of shooting Sammy played the ball back to Declan to score from an off side position so the goal was disallowed. With some further pressure from the midfield team, Declan was once again put through by Logan Roberts. Declan then had the mind to square the ball across the 18yd box to an unmarked Sammy Kyle who put the ball beyond the keeper for a half time lead 0-2.
Second half with three fresh players on the field started off quick and Matthew Hughes found himself one on one with the keeper, a good skill to round the keeper and a great cross from the by-line across and empty net found no TT2007 player running in and the chance to go 0-3 passed by. A while latter TT2007 attacked again and Declan Baird broke free and crossed for Matthew Clark to put the ball into an empty net for the 0-3 lead. With the game time running out Kieran Spurling passed through the defenders for Declan Baird to break away and place the ball inside the far post to finish the game 0-4 winners. It sounds like we were all over Dean Thistle, but this was not the case. Dean Thistle had their fare share of the attacking game, but the defenders in both halves of the game stood their ground extremely well and all earned the clean sheet bonus for their efforts.. James Ferguson was in charge of the back 4 in place of the injured George McClure and James Ferguson did exactly this, controlling his defenders in both open play and defending. Arran Robertson made some expertly times challenges and held the right back position well, Liam MacIver standing in for George was outstanding as a centre back, proving he can fill in on all the defenders roles. Donny Rorison came on at half time and held his ground clearing the ball when needed and tackling the oncoming attackers with some very good challenges. Joshua Easton cam eon with 11 minutes to go and once again he acted impeccably this time as right back to keep the left wing from Dean at bay. Zack Batchellor was called on to make a few good saves, but his field play as the 5th defender proved to be the pivotal part of the clean sheet. but today the defender that stood out for his constant challenges, turning attackers the way he knows best, laying the ball off to start TT's own attacks from the back, his dedication to a last man challenge even closely earning a caution from the referee, then Hadley Duncan (despite not listening to the coaches or chucking the ref a defy), earned the Player of the Match for this game. This was a hard decision as the whole team played really well and many players deserved a shout for todays POM award but John and I decided that Hadley was the main defender behind the clean sheet and creating play from the back.
Next week we are back to the league programme with a top of the table clash with Glenburn,