Milngavie Wanderers

Archive for September, 2010

Glasgow Harp 2 – 2 Milngavie Wanderers AFC

(Harp win on penalties)

No match report – sorry.

Hamilton FP 1 – 2 Milngavie Wanderers AFC
Scorers: McKellar (pen), Rodgers

The game took place at Lochinch the home of Strathclyde Police Sports Association located in Pollock Park- and scene of many an epic Wanderers battle in previous years when the “Glasgow Polis” fielded a team in the Caledonian League.

Hamilton currently using facility as their temporary home welcomed the Wanderers on the knowledge that securing all 3 points on the day would bring them level in the league and inflict a major dent in Wanderers early season confidence.

The Wanderers still missing some key individuals due to injury were able still able to field a strong team by calling on their large pool of players to step up and take the opportunity to secure their jersey for the weeks ahead.

The game kicked off in much the same style as every other game this season, with both teams going all out to impose their dominance and take control of the game. The Wanderers this year are not going to be turned over so easy with a steely doggedness running through the heart of the team ensuring that they are going to give as good as they get on the physical side.

The first opportunity fell to the inform Simmy, excellent work down the left ended with a ball over the top of the Hamilton rearguard, with the big guy skilfully outmuscling the Hamilton sweeper to get to the ball first but was unlucky to see his lob just miss the target with the Hamilton keeper left stranded.

Hamilton did well in early spells without really ever putting “Meeky” Junior – deputising for his older brother – under any sort of pressure. Both defences seemed to be coming out on top as both teams playing a 4 – 4 – 2 system seemed to cancel each other out with the strikers left alienated for long periods of time.

Hamilton best chance in the 1st half came in the 40th minute when an uncharacteristic wrong decision by Ross Robb claiming offside let Hamilton forward go through one and one with Meeky only to see one of a handful of outstanding saves that kept the Wanderers in the game. To be fair the referee 20 yards away cannot hope to get every decision correct and thankfully justice seemed to have been served.

Half time came with the Wanderers making only one change with “Dicey” replacing Sweeney in an effort to try and changes things around a little to try and get the first and important goal.

The break through came in the 60 minute with good work down the right by Paul McGlinchey “reportedly the most elegant footballer running with his ball at his feet in the Calley League” – sent a ball through the home defence only to see the Hamilton centre half handle the ball and concede a penalty.

McKellar sporting a hair cut that surely put the Hamilton goal keeper off his game, scored at the second attempt and put the Wanderers ahead and in control of the game.

With the Wanderers looking the more likely to score again, Hamilton never gave up and saves again by Meeky junior frustrated the life out of the Hamilton sideline who were obviously mystified that they had nothing to shoe from their excellent play to get to the Wanderers goal.

The game tuned on its head in the 68th minute when a simple pass back from Berto was miss judged by the inform Meeky who slipped allowing the Hamilton’s number 10 to score low into the corner of the net and give the home team the belief that they could go on and secure all 3 points,.

Further complications were added in the 74th minute when Ross Robb – easily the best centre half in the league – had to be replaced having received a wrong in the first half the injury had got worse. Mr McLetchie disappointed not to have started the game came on to try and shore up the centre of the Wanderers defence – did well against a Hamilton team that seemed to taste victory by going all out and bombarding the Wanderers backline.

Teams playing the Wanderers this season will learn to their pearl that this type of approach will fall right into the hands of a team who are able to withstand long periods of pressure allowing for a different game plan to be deployed the longer the match goes on.

The Wanderers Management team made their 3rd and final substitution sending on Mickey Rodgers for his first start of the season having after apparently recovered from injury. A lot of expectation hangs on the shoulders of this boy but as the Wanderers team seen to their horror they are going to have to wait a while longer as he pulled up after only being on the park a matter of minutes.

Mickey realising all 3 subs had already been made agreed to stay on the pitch but effectively the Wanderers were down to 10 men and now under siege as the Hamilton team camped in the Wanderers half for remainder of the game.

In a cruel twist of fait – football can be a funny game – the Wanderers launched an attack up the left hand side with Stephen McGlinchey doing the work of 2 players fighting and winning a ball on the edge our his own area. The ball broke free with the Wanderers making one final push up the park with Berto sending over a ball into the box that only he can do. Paul McGlinchey skilfully trapped the ball before heading down on the Hamilton goal. As the keeper did well to block the first shot the ball rebounded to the oncoming & hobbling Rodgers, who slid in to put the ball into the empty net. 2-1 to the Wanderers in the 82nd minute, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Hamilton went all out in the final 8 minutes of normal time and 4 minutes of injury time to find the equaliser, sending ball after ball down the channels in an effort find a way back into the game. Credit again goes to the Wanderers defence and Meeky junior a different sort of player would have caved in after his earlier mistake – but he was up for every challenge and made save after save to ensure that the Wanderers secured all 3 points and went joint top of the league.

Man of the Match – Meeky Junior without his saves the score line would have been a lot different.

Milngavie Wanderers 5 – 3 Drumchapel FP

Scorers: McKellar 4, P McGlinchey 1

Well done the Wanderers for putting on a fantastic show in front of a large crowd at Staney Brig in the first round of the Douglas Smith Cup.

Drumchapel visited the Wanderers in high spirts having kicked off their season the Calley League in good form – having yet to loose a game. The Wanderers still trying to find their strongest 11 took the opportunity to field a number of players who have not featured much this season allowing them to show the management team they are good enough for a regular start in the team.

Drumchapel were the first to strike – a mistake led to a corner and this was poor defended in the box and Drumchapel “Joe” pounced to put the Drum 1-0 up after 22 minutes. Joe took great pleasure in announcing his goal to the large Wanderers support – all in good fun of course.

The Wanderers were 1-0 down at half time.

The second half the Wanderers shooting down the hill started to impose themselves on the game. Chance after chance was missed as the Wanderers stretched the Drumchapel defence as the looked to find a way back into the match.

Changes from the Wanderers touchline seen the impressive Paul McGlinchey arrive on the seen to replace Russell Gordon who had just missed a chance to level it mintues before.

Malone returning for his first game at the heart of the Wanderers defence was replaced with Martin Tait as the Wanderers management went for broke. Sweeney back to his usual self “Off the drink for the first time in weeks” was outstanding in midfield along with Steven McGlinchey ensure every 2nd ball was a Wanderers.

The Wanderers levelled the match on the 65 minute when outstanding determination by Paul McGlinchey seen him pass the ball into the net to get the Wanderers back into the match and looking for the winner.

All was to change again when Dicey returning after a 5 week absence gave the ball away in the heart of the midfield only to see the Drum counter and got ahead 2-1 against the run of play.

Thankfully for the Wanderers, they continued to push for the goal and they got it on the 80th minute when excellent play by Creand seen a square ball passed to the oncoming McKellar who positioned the ball in the corner of the Drum’s net.

After 90 minutes the game was tied at 2-2 so extra time went ahead with the first team to score the more likely to win the game.

The Wanderers got the goal when good work again my Wilson returning to right back and playing his best game in a Wanderers shirt sent a long ball down the right, this was met by Tum Tum on as a late second half sub. His cross into the box was met by the oncoming McKellar whose header nestled high into the roof of the Drum’s goal. The large crowd went crazy. Two late penalties converted by McKellar meant his tally was to 4 as he looks to better his 17 goals from last season.

A great result for the Wanderers and a great performance by all the players – come on the Wanderers!!!

Man of the Match: McKellar

Milngavie 5 – 4 Viewfield Rovers
Scorers – Simmy 3, Tum Tum 1,

The Wanderers caused themselves all sorts of problems in this game. A strong Viewfield came to Staney Brigg looking to impose themselves and in doing so kick start their season and climb the first division table.

Wanderers having to field a different team for the 3rd week in a row due to injury and having some players back from suspension started the game well and were 3-1 during the first 25 mintues of the game.

All was to change with the Wanderers leaking goals in the last 10 mintues of the first half that seen the teams going in level at the turn with Viewfield looking the most likely to capitalise by scoring the next goal.

Fortunately for the Wanderers the Viefield defence looked every bit as fragile as the Wanderers and Simmy playing in only his 2nd full game took full advantage in the 75th minute scoring the Wanderers 4th.

The game should have been all over by then, but again the Wanderers shot themselves in the foot. First they missed a panalty and then by giving the ball away up front, then giving away a resulting free kick in their own box which the Viewfield players took quickly and ended up with a penalty which they converted to level the score at 4-4 with only 7 mintues to go.

Fortunately for the Wanderers Simmy who had been missing a few chances managed to correct perfectly with a cut back from good work down the left to score the goal that secured all 3 points going to the Wanderers.

Man of the Match – Simmy (3 excellent goals)