match270903

The pitch today was like a rodeo ground with a beach at either end and both teams did well to produce a game that was both entertaining and thrilling.

Maryhill started well and Crossgates hung on and defended well and on 15 minutes Millar was called on to clear off the line.

20 minutes in and a Millar throw to Scott Ross seemed to be heading to the bye line but Ross managed to get to the ball and pass it back to Lee Black who hit it first time with his left foot and hit a rocket of a shot from the edge of the box that left the Maryhill keeper no chance.

This riled Maryhill who put Crossgates under the cosh again and on 28 minutes Steve Patrick was also on hand to clear off the line, just before the end of the half Maryhill got a corner and it went to one of their players who managed to head the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Half time and the Primrose happy to be in front.

Maryhill started the second half like a train and Crossgates were again under the cosh. 6 minutes into the half and the ref gave a free kick against Ross Millar who had clearly one the ball. From the resulting kick the ball broke loose and Billy Jones hit a 30 yard belter that the keeper looked to have covered until it swerved viciously en route and the game was level.

Crossgates however dug deep and 9 minutes later a cross ball from Scott Ross was met on the volley by Lee Black again and he again produced a shot that left his namesake in the Maryhill goal no chance.

The game became fairly end to end after this with both teams creating chances but two bad refereeing decisions cost Crossgates the game.

75 minutes into the game and in the centre of the park Deans stuck his foot up to get a ball, now Deans isn't the biggest player and no Maryhill Player was within 3 feet of him and yet the ref blew for dangerous play and Brian Dingwall ended up scoring from the floated in free kick.

3 minutes from time and one of the Maryhill players shot wide and although every player on the park reacted like it was a bye kick and the lineswoman did too the ref declared that the ball had come off a Crossgates player and yep, you've guessed it Essler knocks in the winner for Maryhill, very disappointing.

So that's the story of today, a day when a depleted Primrose went to Maryhill, already cup winners this season, and performed like superstars, they dug deep and should all be proud of what they did. With a ref that knew the rules we may even have won. More of the same next week would be good.

Primrose:
Binnie, Patrick, Sykes, Millar, Lakie, Deans, Laing, Ash, Osborne, Ross, Black
Subs: McLean, McGuckin, Hobbs, Thomson, Westgarth

Maryhill:
Black, Hughes, Baker, Miller, Cocozza, Jones, Murray, McGuiness, Watret, Dingwall, Essler
Subs: Wilson, Gallagher, Giles, Johnston, Porter

Ref: Mr. D. Rose
Linesmen: Ms L. Hamilton, Ms E. Dawson

Man of the match: So many great performances today from all the players but for me Steve Patrick edges it.