Glenrothes 5-2 Craigroyston

Glenrothes 5-2 Craigroyston
Saturday 7th December
1st Division Inter Conference 
Match Report by Willie Drew

Glens new signing Lewis Grierson from Kennoway star hearts made his debut in today’s game.

1ST HALF
The away side won a corner kick in the first minute which was cleared by the defence. Glens then won a free kick twenty-five yards from goal from which Smart headed over. On eight minutes an effort from Watt was just wide of the target. Two minutes later a long cross field ball from Smart was just a little bit too strong for the on-rushing L. Schiavone. On twelve minutes’ Glens took the lead when a cross from Schiavone was finished off with an excellent header from Russell, the same player nearly scored a second a couple of minutes later when a cross from Denton just eluded him. Although playing some good football Glens were finding it hard to break down nine men behind the ball, an effort from King following a fine run was not far off the target. Russell then broke clear only to be fouled by a cynical tackle which the official ignored, an excellent cross from Denton was pulled out of the air by Stewart. In one of the away sides rare attacks Glens conceded a foul twenty yards from goal which was comfortably saved by trialist keeper. On twenty-five minutes an effort from Denton slipped past the post, another excellent cross field pass from smart had L. Schiavone straying offside. From a corner kick Duff shot wide. It was one way traffic with the away side having an occasional break away, an effort from Denton was touched onto the crossbar by Stewart and out for a corner. Andrew tried his luck for the away side but his effort was well over, the away side were now having their best spell of the game and only a superb tackle from McDonald saved a dangerous situation. A minute before half time the game was level when following a corner kick South rose above everybody to head home.

2ND HALF
The first chance of the second half went the way of the away side when South broke clear and found Watson with a fine pass the winger should have done better with the goal at his mercy but somehow shot wide. Glens reaction was to replace Duff with Kinnes, after putting the Glens under a little bit of pressure without creating any clear chances they went a goal behind on the fifty third minute when a cross from Kinnes found Russell fifteen yards from goal to shoot past Stewart. A minute later a shot from Denton flew over the bar, two minutes later Glens scored their third and a hat trick for Russell. It was turning into the same pattern as the first half with the Glens very much on top, Stewart was keeping his side in the game with a string of fine saves. On the hour mark Martin replaced McLeod-Kay, his first contribution was to bring another fine save from Stewart. For the next fifteen minutes it was just constant pressure with chance upon chance slipping past. On seventy-five minutes a golden opportunity fell to Watson to allow his team back into the game but with an open goal he shot wide. On eighty minutes a tangle inside the penalty box had the official pointing to the spot to the amazement of the Glens defenders, South made no mistake with the spot kick. Two minutes later Glens regained their two-goal advantage when King scored following a fine move. A run and cross from Kinnes was cleared off the line. On eighty-six minutes’ Glens scored number five when an effort from Russell struck the crossbar and fell kindly for King to tap home.

In the end a convincing win which could have been by a lot more if Stewart had not been in such fine form.

Glens: Trialist, Grierson, Smart, Watt, S. McDonald, King, L. Schiavone, Denton, Russell, McLeod-kay, Duff
Subs: Kinnes, Miller, Hynd, Lane, Lamont, Martin

Craigroyston: Stewart, Vierra, Andrew, Anderson, Nicholson, Doig, Jack, Gray, South, Lacey, Watson
Subs: Sherrin

Managers Report:
We got there in the end sums up our display today, we were the dominant team from start to finish but in the 1st half we were really slow moving the ball at times Craigroyston just got men behind the ball made it difficult for us to create chances. Our first goal was a great move down the right with a great cross and an even better header by Rusty for the goal but for whatever reason we couldn’t repeat those moves and continued to have half chances without really testing the goalie. Craigroystons goal came on half time from a corner and we were glad to get the boys in at half time, a few stern words with a few words of encouragement were needed. Credit to the boys in the 2nd half they came out and moved the ball much quicker, Callum came on gave us good width and we got the second then Rusty got his hattrick, we are really pleased for him. Johno came on and that allowed us to mix it up they got a lifeline when they got a penalty but the boys kept going and wee Kingy got 2 goals, pleased for the wee man we’ve missed his energy and ability to tackle anything above the grass. We need to keep pushing and keep the pressure on we keep saying to the boys we just need to get a good level of consistency.

Onto next week where we are away to Dunipace which will be a hard game which we will spend the week preparing for.
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