match270903

In this battle of the bottom clash both teams put in a commendable performance despite the tricky conditions on a cold and often wet afternoon.

The Primrose had the best of the match and in the first half several deep runs from Tom McQue saw the Steelend defence hard pushed. For me Ravenscroft was the stand out defender for Steelend at this time and keeper Shepherd also had a few good saves. Osborne, Foster, Sykes, Laing and Westgarth had several chances between them and came close on several occasions. On a rare breakaway by Steelend, Allan Sharp shaved the post after putting a nice shot under Smith in the Primrose goal.

The second half was again dominated by the Primrose and this time it was Nicholson who provided the deep runs, supported by McLeod, that gave the Steelend defence trouble. Sykes hit the bar from a corner and Osborne came close a couple times. However it was Matthew Sykes, in his first full game since signing, that broke the deadlock in the 85th minute, the goal well deserved due to the power of work he put into the game.

A bit of light relief was provided midway through the second half when the pitch was invaded by a collie who had slipped its ead and taken a fancy to the ball. Some good thinking by sub Lakie managed to get the poor mutt off the pitch.

Hopefully this win will kick start that the Primrose into better things for the rest of the season.

Teams.

Primrose:
Smith, McQue, Nicholson, Westgarth, Hobbs, McLeod, Laing, Ash, Sykes, Osborne, Foster
Subs: Rushford, Deans, Millar, Lakie, Patrick

Steelend Victoria:
Shepherd, Milne (Yellow), Ravenscroft, Wilson, Pryde, Myles, Sharp, Crielly, Ward, Rodger, Bakie
Subs: Paterson, Gough, Sneddon, Holton, Jamieson

Ref: Roy Montador *** A good game by the ref who kept a firm but fair hand on the game. A couple obscure decisions but without assistants their life's never going to be easy I suppose.

Todays "Derrick Easton" man of the match: Tommy Ash. A solid game from the veteran that saw yet another 110% performance.