Match report 08/12/07
ARMADALE THISTLE 1 MUSSELBURGH ATHLETIC 1
Musselburgh made two changes to the team that beat Kelty last week with Paul Currie and CJ coming in for Barnes and Sweeny, but the story of the day for both clubs will be ex players coming back to haunt them with Dale keeper David McIntosh and Burgh midfielder Danny Kelly among the top players for their new teams.
The match was played in driving rain and terrible under foot conditions and early passing was poor. Free kicks for both teams were delt with. CJ and King's hold up play looked good with King coming close with a free kick. A long ball from Quinn found King he rounded the keeper and from a tight angle shot across the goal with no one following up. After giving several offsides to the home team a long ball from Easton found Steven Johnston who looked offside - the referee put the whistle to his mouth and waved play on Johnston then found Crawford after good hold up play and he slammed the ball into the back of the net. Martin Murphy then received a yellow for a poor tackle but a red card was given by Alan Hogg for a tackle on Murphy by John Black and Armadale played the entire second half with ten men. At half time the refferee was greeted with boos from the home support.
With a player advantage, the second half seen Musselburgh switch the play alot but Armadale defended everything Burgh through at them, shots from Kelly, Currie, King, and Porteous were all blocked as the visitors laid a slow siege on the Armadale defence, indeed it was 15 minutes into the second half before Armadale crossed the half way line and should have scored when Crawford ran into a empty half with just the keeper to beat, but Ronnie McPherson saved fantastically well and Mitchell cleared. On 65 mins CJ and Murphy came off for Barnes and Tansey. Chris King again was lucky not to be at least booked but the referee missed his landing and stamp on Gemmill. Another Burgh long ball was well controlled by Barnes he passed to King and his powerfull shot was brilliantly tipped over by Armadales keeper. From the resulting corner King swung in the ball, it fell to Danny Kelly and his shot found the back of the net. King was then booked after being given a free kick, which again was well saved by McIntosh. Again the home keeper saved from Barnes and Tansey with his feet as Burgh bombed forward. Woods came on for Johnston but seconds later Andy Porteous saw a straight red for a two footed tackle in the middle of the park. Another shot from Crawford was well saved by the visitors keeper but David McIntosh dived full length to tip over a Danny Kelly effort the resulting corner was headed over by Wes Mitchell as the game ended in driving snow. Armadales home support applauded their team off the park.
Overall a poor performace after the high of last week, too many players coasting through the game, not enough ideas and too much passing back the way and trying to play across the park, build up play was just too slow and if they had finished the game with 11 men Musselburgh may have won the game. Musselburgh are missing lots of players and it is costing them with red cards now reaching 11. For Armadale a great performance from keeper McIntosh kept them in the game, growing in confidence played very well, for Musselburgh not too many getting pass marks although conditions didn't help, Kelty ( who beat Whitburn) must be wondering who turned up last week!
Follow Musselburgh next week in the East Of Scotland Cup as they travel to Tayside to face Broughty Athletic - but check this website for the latest news as poor weather predicted. Also on Wednesday find out who Burgh face in the Scottish Cup.
Armadale Thistle: David McIntosh, John Black, Graeme Gallagher, Micheal Gemmill, Grant Dick, Fraser Easton, David Murphy, Lyle Smith, Graeme Crawford, Steven Johston, Ross Miller. subs, Easter, Vallentine, Clark, Vinter, Brookfield
Musselburgh Athletic: Ronnie McPherson, Darell Johnston, Mark Quinn, Wes Mitchell, Craig McManus, Andy Porteous, Martin Murphy, Danny Kelly, Chris King, CJ Osazowa, Paul Currie Subs, Ross Barnes, Paul Tansey, Woods
Match referee Alan Hogg.
Murphy, King
Porteous
Pictures by Liam and Ryan Kelly.
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