Jock Stein Cup Round 1 (02/05/16)

Point hammered United 10 v 0 in the first round of the Jock Stein Cup last Monday. There has since been discussion on whether it is the biggest ever win for the Rudhachs. We think it might be, although anyone reading this who thinks otherwise feel free to let us know.  The goals came from Wally (3), Elliot (2), Hugh, Pugh, Barney Magrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub. Obviously that’s not true as its 11! No, as well as Wally, Elliot and Hugh Morrison, it was Alexander Macdonald, Matthew Campbell, Andrew Murray and an unfortunate and amazing own goal by David Macmillan for United.

The Reds went out intent on scoring an early goal to hopefully knock the stuffing out of an understrength United, who were without the Macphee brothers and Jack Maclennan, one of the best keeepers around. After 5 mins it duly came when Alexander cut in from the right and slipped a marvellous pass through to his mate Wally. The Georgian Gunslinger duly fired the ball beneath Gordon Mackenzie and into the net (1 v 0). After 14 mins Spike used his trade mark “Swivel hips” move to beat his man before finding Alex. Alex slid the ball through to Wally yet again who this time dinked the ball over Gordon and into the corner. (2 v 0).

Alex himself got the third goal, whacking the ball home after a bit of a scramble. (26 mins). 3 v 0. A few minutes later and Wally got his hat trick with a cracking finish following great work by Andrew Murray and Stephen Campbell.  4 v 0 (34 mins). United continued to compete well but their heads, unsurprisingly, started to drop.  It’s not easy when the Red Arrows are in full flow and you have a brand new back four. After 39 minutes United’s evening was summed up when David Macmillan’s sliding tackle 35 yards out flew high up and up and over the keeper and into his own net. The most amazing own goal I’ve ever seen. I felt sorry for David who is one of the nicest guys you could meet. At least it didn’t happen in a close match….5 v 0 Reds.

At half time the message was to keep working hard and passing the ball on the deck. We would have the wind behind in the second half and long balls aren’t always the best option. Scotty Bomb was home from Norway and offered to do the tea run which again came with a complimentary Sausage Roll. Nice. At half time I asked the ladies “How do you make a sausage roll?”, to which they answered “You push it down a hill!” ….

Into the second half and Elliot scored “a worldy” after cutting in from the left and curling one into the top corner a la Dimitry Payet, the West Ham magician! Cracker ( 54 mins) 6 v 0. Three minutes later Alex Lamb power headed the ball over the top for Andrew Murray to run onto and finish into the right corner. 7 v 0 (57 mins).

Coach Stoodie rang the changes, making several high quality substitutions which highlighted the depth in the Rudhach squad. It didnt alter the flow of the game and the next to score was Hugh Morrison, who curled a left footer home confidently from 15 yards. 8 v 0  (67 mins).  Six minutes later and Elliot got his second with a towering header from Wally’s vicious inswinging corner. 9 v 0 (73 minutes). After 78 minutes the scoring was complete when following a fine move, Andrew Morrison squared the ball to Matthew Campbell who flicked the ball beyond Gordon in goal. 10 v 0 (78 mins).

Man of the match: Wally Maciver.  Fantastic hat trick for the Reds striker who also assisted on four goals. Special mention to his buddy Alex who also had a great game.

Moment of the match: Elliot’s goal, David’s outrageous own goal, the purchasing of the Point hoody. All highlights but Spike’s “swivel hips” move is straight out of the top drawer – and you can use it in the disco on a Saturday night.