The Reds reached the Jock Stein Cup Final for the third year in a row with a hard fought victory over Lochs at the Creagan Dubh.
Point team : Gordy. Scott, Ali G, Elliot, Daniel. Andrew Murray, Hugh, Jones. Andrew Mo, Wally, Angus. Subs Macca, Matthew, Andrew Mac, Spike, Andrew Mackay (all used)
The Reds started the game well and straight away it became apparent that Angus had the beating of Lochs’ left back Ewen Montgomery. Time and again Angus tore away from the youngster down the right but unfortunately the Rudhachs couldn’t make the most of the opportunities. Chances fell to Hugh, Jones and Wally but they were either blocked or sent wide of the keepers post.
Wally did force James Macleod into a smart save at his near post as the Reds attack swarmed all over the Maroons.
As has so often been the case this year though, the opposition scored with their first real attack into Point territory. Scotty Bomb had been injured and was out of the game as Ross Allison sprinted clear on the right. His low cross evaded Ali G and Elliot and found its way to young Callum Macleod, the junior who had been the scourge of Point in Garrabost (winning two penalties for his team). Callum made the most of Scotty Bomb’s absence by firing the ball low past Gordy in the Point goals. From nowhere Lochs led.

The goal seemed to fire up the Lochies and for the remainder of the half they fought like tigers as the thought of a Cup Final surged through their veins. Point on the other hand seemed to go into their shell and started getting frustrated and bickering amongst themselves. The net result was that Coaches Stoodie and Macaulay were glad to hear the half time whistle. The boys were clearly frustrated, we had been well on top but an inability to make the most of good positions had cost us. We urged them to get back to playing the ball wide and getting good quality cut backs and crosses into the middle.

Point had two great chances within a couple of minutes of the restart. One saw Angus do brilliantly down the right and crossing to Andrew Mo whose header just looped over the bar. The next chance Andrew Mo hammered wide after cutting in from the left. The goal was coming and it came when Wally fired a left foot volley under James Macleod after his initial shot had been blocked. Relief for the Rudhachs. Things were about to get better when Andrew Mo showed amazing skill on the left bye line to skin a Lochie defender before firing home from an acute angle. Great tekkers! The Reds had turned it around and now would be looking to ease away from their under strength hosts. Football has a nasty habit of biting you in the bum though and Darren Mackinnon floated an inch perfect free kick right into the junction which Gordy couldn’t quite reach. We were back to all square with only a few minutes remaining. neither team could find a winner though and we were headed to Extra Time.

Within a couple of minutes an poor ‘back to the goalie’ header by Ewen Maclean allowed Andrew Mo to nip in between him and James and lob the ball perfectly into the goals. Great finish by the Hearach Hotshot. 3-2 to the Reds and there was no looking back as first of all Angus slid in to finish Wally’s excellent cut back before in the second half sub Matthew Campbell raced away and brilliantly lobbed James from thirty yards. Great goal Matthew!

So the Reds advanced to another Jock Stein final where they will yet again face Westside!
Man of the match: Andrew Morrison. Great performance and goals by the youngster.

Three in a Row for Rampant Reds

Point FC are the Jock Stein cup winners for the third year running after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Westside at Goathill last Friday night. Whilst Westside were without a host of regulars and lost a couple more to injury in the first half, the Broadbay Reds showed no mercy and had a ruthless edge to their play which has been missing for much of the league campaign. It is the twelfth time the Red ribbons have adorned the trophy whilst Westside are still looking to break their duck.

With Westside missing half a dozen regular starters through injury, suspension and holidays, the Rudhachs started the game as favourites despite their contrasting league positions. The first goal is always important in a cup final and Point got a dream start when Andrew Morrison’s seemingly innocuous shot bobbled under Westside keeper David “Lurch” Murray to give the Reds the lead after ten minutes. It was a shame for Murray who had performed brilliantly in the Acres Cup Final a few weeks ago.

Rob Jones was next to test the Westside keeper but his shot was comfortably held. Westside started to get into the game and their midfield trio of Colin George, Doug Bryson and Rob Shirkie were passing the ball nicely without really hurting the Rudhach defence. Westside’s best chance fell to hotshot Luke Mackay but he blazed the ball over whilst under pressure from Point centre half Elliot Rudall.

Jones was having a good game for Point and he almost scored after a sweeping move which ended with Andrew Morrison crossing to the back post. Jones had made a great run into the box but could only lift the ball over the bar as he stretched every sinew. As the game raged from end to end Elliot Rudall produced a Bobby Moore style tackle to stop Luke Mackay in his tracks. It was one of these tackles that for a defender is as satisfying as a goal or assist for a forward.

After 25 minutes something unheard of happened, we had a water break. With temperatures nudging 25 degrees throughout the day, the players were glad to have a break though some of the older fans grumbled that it wouldn’t have happened in their day!

With the game ebbing from end to end the Reds would have happily taken a one goal led in to the break but things were about to get better for them. After 39 minutes good play between Wally Maciver and Angus Macdonald led to a corner. Wally whipped in the corner and there was Stew Munro to head the ball powerfully into the net, giving the Westside keeper no chance.

Westside desperately needed a goal before the break and they almost had a chance to hit straight back following a moment of controversy. Alex John Morrison got past Daniel Macleod down the right before surging towards the box. Andrew Morrison chased him back and barged him over, but was it inside the box? Referee Macritchie, in consultation with linesman Macleod decided the offence was just outside the area. Point cleared the free kick and to further frustrate the Westside fans and management Alex John had to limp off with a suspected hamstring strain.

Into the second half and the Reds continued to create the better chances. Wally and Stew Munro were combining nicely and a good move between them ended with Wally firing inches wide of the post. Westside were working hard but without star man Innes Iain Morrison and their flying wingers Martainn and Ali Barvas they were struggling to break down the Reds defence. After an hour Point finally put the game to bed and it was a high class goal from Rob Jones. Wally and Stew Munro combined to send the midfield maestro clean through. Jonny Wallace sprinted back for Westside but as Jonny and the keeper looked set to block the effort, Jones dummied back inside beautifully before sending the ball past a scampering Wallace and into the net.

There was no let up from the Reds and Wally had two efforts whistle inches wide and over respectively. The Reds hitman, who has been directly involved in 21 goals this season, was not to be denied for long and following a neat dummy he lashed the ball low and hard inside the keepers near post to make it 4 0. There was still 15 minutes left of the game but the contest was effectively over. Westside almost pulled a goal back through Gordy Campbell when the marauding select right back sent a flying volley over the bar following an excellent cross from the left hand side.
The Rudhachs saw out the rest of the game fairly comfortably and it was just left to captain Ali Gillies to lift his second cup of the season. Man of the match went to Stew Munro, who along with Wally gave the Blues defenders a very tough night. Best for Westside was Luke Mackay who never stopped running and hassling Elliot Rudall and Ali Gillies in the Point defence, despite not having his usual accomplices to help him.

The Reds marched into the second round of the Highland Amateur Cup with a hard working victory over rivals Westside in Garrabost. Having beaten Ness on Wednesday, Coach Stoodie was able to freshen things up a bit by reintroducing Angus, Rob, Ali G and Gordy back into the team.

Point Team: Gordy, Angus, Ali G, Elliot, Daniel, Andrew, Hugh, Rob, Andrew Mac, Wally, Andrew Mo. Subs: Macca, Matthew, Martyn, Spike

In the first half the Reds played some excellent football, with the midfield of Morrison,Jones and Murray passing the ball well and feeding the wide players with quality ball. In defence, Elliot and Ali G were keeping West dangermen Innes Iain and Luke Mackay quiet whilst the full backs were also getting the better of their opposite numbers.

The Reds had already had a number of half chances before Rob Jones timed his run perfectly and bulleted a header high past Lurch in the West goal. The ball had been whipped in perfectly from Wally’s corner. Westside struggled to respond as Point continued to play the better football. Having said that, the Rudhachs had been very relieved to see the linesman’s flag raised as Innes Iain knocked a rebound into the net following Preston’s shot. Preston also had a shot well saved after chasing a long pass from the back. The Reds held on to half time, where they were reminded that it had been a similar score in the first game of the season and Westside had come back to win.

In the second half the Blues were very direct and pinned the Reds back for long periods, mostly through silly free kicks being conceded by the Rudhachs. Elliot and Ali G were colossal figures at the back as they headed away Duncan and Martainn’s expert deliveries. Gordy didn’t have an awful lot to do as the game got a little scrappy. Angus almost extended the Reds lead but his shot bounced into the side netting as he collided with Lurch in goal. With ten minutes left Point made sure of their place in the next round after being awarded a penalty. Rob Jones turned inside Euan Shirkie who, while stretching to win the ball, could only clumsily take out the Reds midfielder. Up stepped Hugh Morrison to take in all honesty a pretty bad penalty (!) which was saved; luckily Jones showed great technique to left foot the rebound into the net.
The Reds managed to see the game out fairly comfortably, earning themselves a home tie with Maryburgh FC on Saturday 3rd June with a 2:30 kick off.

Man of the match: Ali Gillies. Defended brilliantly throughout.

Point eventually got off the mark in their stuttering league campaign with a convincing win over Ness at Fivepenny. The goals came from Andrew Macmillan with two and Wally made sure of the points in the second half.

Point team: Ally L, Martyn, Macca, Elliot, Daniel, Andrew Murray, Hugh, Andrew Mo, Andrew Mac, Wally, Matthew. Subs: Lamb, Spike, Cleary (all used), Alec Dan, Donnie Matta (unused subs)

The Reds went into the match missing all their WIIGA players through illness and work. However, these guys were barely missed as the Rudhachs tore through the Niseachs in the opening quarter. Andrew Macmillan had already fired inches over the bar before he expertly shot left footed into the bottom corner from Andrew Mo’s cut back. The Reds continued to dominate and Andrew Macmillan scored his second when he rifled the ball into the far corner after being released down the right hand side. The game was barely ten minutes old and Ness were already up against it. To give credit to the Niseachs they started to come into the game and Jack Dunlop headed a cross inches over whilst under pressure from Elliot.

Point continued to create chances however and the long ball over the Ness full backs was working well. Meanwhile Hugh and Andrew Murray were playing well in centre mid against Michel Smith and Jack Dunlop. On a perfect night for football in Ness (doesn’t happen often), the Reds were enjoying themselves.

In the second half Ness had a bit more of the ball but were unable to break down the Rudhach defence, expertly marshalled by Elliot and the evergreen Macca! Indeed, it was the Reds who got the 3rd and decisive goal when Wally smashed home from close range following a set piece. On a night when Coaches Stoodie and Macaulay were expecting a very tough game, the Reds played very well, managing to keep Ness at arms length and at last getting off the mark in the league! Phew.

Man of the match: Andrew Macmillan. Took his goals well and terrorised the Ness defence. Special mention to Macca who was solid and maybe should have had a goal himself.

Alexander Macdonald from Aird scored the only goal of the game as the Reds won the Acres Boys Club Cup for a record 8th time. The Rudhachs hadn’t won the cup since 2002 and had to work very hard and play well to edge past Westside 1 0 at Goathill Park.

If you saw any photos of the game you would be forgiven for thinking it was played in perfect conditions with a cloudless sky and spectators wearing shades. In reality it was freezing cold, with a nasty Easterly breeze whipping across the pitch. As the teams stepped out for the national anthems however, the crowd were eagerly anticipating another classic East v West and Red v Blue battle.

Into the first half and both teams were vying for midfield supremacy in a cagey opening ten minutes. As usual  the lads had been told not to give away any silly free kicks as Duncan Maclean for the Blues is a set piece expert….. So the Reds duly gave away about 3 corners and 2 free kicks for Duncan to swing in viciously! Not good for the nerves of the fans although the defence and Gordie Mackenzie in goal coped well.

After about 15 minutes Wally Maciver did well to win a corner and subsequently delivered a peach of a cross from which Elliot Ruddal’s header was cleared off the line. So close. Both teams were looking dangerous from corners and free kicks and Scott Graham of the Westside had a couple of very good headed chances but both missed the target. Westside were having a good spell and young hotshot Luke Mackay was next to try his luck but Gordie came out well and Luke’s shot drifted wide of the post.

One of the problems the Rudhach defence was having was the sun in their eyes when trying to head away goal kicks and clearances. The good news was Westside would have the same problem in the second half.  After about half an hour Andrew Morrison was pulled back giving Wally a chance from a free kick. The Reds hit man took aim and fired a cracker which rattled the crossbar with the Westside keeper David ‘Lurch’ Macleod well beaten.  Soon after the Reds right back Angus Macdonald did well to make space for himself but didn’t connect well with his shot and the keeper gathered comfortably. Not long after Referee Maclean blew the whistle for half time and the fans headed for a warming cuppa.

Into the second half and Elliot almost scored an unbelievable goal. Good build up play down the right ended with Andrew Murray switching the play to the Reds defender. Elliot took one look and hammered the ball towards the top corner from 35 yards, only to see ‘Lurch’ fling himself to his right and tip the ball over the bar; Goathill applauded as one for both the shot and the save. Elliot had another chance from a corner but ‘Lurch’ blocked with his knee. The game was opening up and Innes Iain from Westside was taken down by Daniel Macleod as he raced away down the right. From the resultant free kick Gordie flung himself to his right to palm away Innes Iain’s rocket shot-brilliant stuff!

Back up the other end and once more ‘Lurch’ denied the Reds with a great save when Wally’s classy curler  was tipped sensationally round the post. Something was going to give soon and it was the Rudhachs who struck, Alexander controlling Andrew Murray’s pass on the spin before poking the ball into the corner. You beauty. There was still 20 minutes left of the game but the first goal in a final is always important.

Westside threw men forward looking for an equaliser although the Reds looked dangerous, with Andrew Morrison in particular playing well and giving the Blues defenders a torrid time. In the final ten minutes Luke Mackay flashed a header wide and Innes Iain’s shot went narrowly wide as West almost equalised. At the other end Andrew Morrison almost capped a fine performance with a deserved goal but once again ‘Lurch’ performed heroics. Soon after the ref blew for full time and the Reds had their hands on the silverware.

Captain Alasdair Gillies then led the team forward to hold aloft the cup with Wally MacIver winning the Man of the Match award.

Team: Gordie Mackenzie, Angus Macdonald, Elliot Rudall, Ali Gillies, Daniel Macleod, Rob Jones, Andrew Murray, Ally ‘Wally’ Maciver, Andrew Macmillan, Andrew Morrison, Alexander Macdonald. Subs Andrew Mackay (for Alexander), Matthew Campbell (for Andrew Mac), Iain Mackenzie, Donald ‘Spike’ Smith, Martyn Lightbody.

The Reds roared back after two disappointing narrow league defeats to hammer Broadbay rivals Back in the Jock Stein first round.

Point team: Gordie. Martyn, Scott, Elliot, Daniel, Rob, Andrew Murray,Wally, Andrew Morrison,Andrew Macmillan, Angus. Subs Andrew Mackay, Spike, Maca, Matthew,(all used) and Alfie.

On a beautiful night in Coll the Rudhachs got back on track with a ruthless display over their local rivals, a team they had lost 2 1 to barely five days earlier. Angus Macdonald opened the scoring, knocking the ball past the advancing keeper from Elliot’s fantastic volleyed pass. Less than a minute later Andrew Morrison made it two when he charged down keeper Mikey’s clearance before skillfully knocking the ball into the goal.

The next goal was a cracker: Daniel showing great touch and composure before sliding the ball through to Wally. He cut back inside the defender before firing high into the net. All of a sudden Back were three down and facing a huge task. They did give themselves a glimmer of hope when Gordie Maciver curled a cracker of a free kick from out wide over our Gordie in goal. Was it a shot or a cross?

At half time the need to get the next goal and to keep attacking down the wings was reiterated.

There was no need to worry as the Rudhachs ran away with it against a weary looking Back team. Andrew Macmillan lobbed the keeper following Daniels beautiful chipped pass before Angus  scored a flying scissor kick from Elliot’s header following a free kick.  Elliot himself then scored a nice volley from Angus’ header as Back struggled to cope with cross balls. Angus completed his hat trick from the penalty spot after Jason Macleod had seen red for saving Andrew Morrison’s shot on the line in the last minute.

Man of the match: Angus Macdonald hat trick man!  Special mention to Elliot who was at his commanding best in defence.

Next game is the Acres Cup Final on Friday at Goathill v Westside.

For the third league game in a row the Reds lost 2 1. It leaves the Rudhachs 9 points adrift of in-form Westside and probably out of the league race, given the points dropped in the last few seasons by teams winning the league has been around 5 or 6 . Whilst it was a very disappointing result, the attitude and effort of the players could not be faulted, playing much better than against Back on Wednesday.

Point team: Gordie. Angus, Elliot, Ali, Daniel. Rob, Stew, Andrew Mo. Wally, Andrew Mac, Alfie. Subs Maca, Spike, Martyn (used), Matthew (used), Lamb

Lochs started the game well and from a quick free kick Ross Allison had a chance but shot straight at Gordie who stood up well. This was Lochs only attempt on goal in the whole match, aside from 2 penalties! The Rudhachs took over the game after 10 minutes, effectively pinning the Maroons back for large portions of the game. Rob Jones was having an excellent game in the middle of the pitch, switching play well and showing great energy and technique. A cross from Stew Munro was dropped by the usually reliable James Macleod allowing Alfie a half chance but he couldn’t get his shot away.

The problem with having lots of the ball is that if the other team have decent centre backs and a very good goalie then it’s hard to break down the opposition. Like Campbell Macdonald for Back, Peter Mackenzie was having an excellent game at the heart of the Lochs defence, and with John Uig working tirelessly in front of him, it was very hard for the Reds to break them down. The Reds had plenty possession but the final ball not helped by the overworked bobbly pitch were stopping their progress.

At half time the message was clear. Keep playing like we were and the chances would come.

Into the second half and Lochs took the lead when Calum Macleod took advantage of a mix up and was taken down by Gordie in the Reds goal for a penalty. Up stepped John Uig and sent the ball into the left corner beyond Gordie.

The Rudhachs responded well and pinned the Maroons back in their own half for pretty much the rest of the game. Lots of corners came and went without a good chance until Elliot had a great opportunity  but the ball ended up in James’ hands from only 5 yards out. Daniel also  had a great chance but fired into the side netting. Rob Jones had a thunderous left footed shot blocked by Peter Mackenzie as the Reds tried and tried.

Five minutes from time Lochs took advantage of a misunderstanding and broke. The ball was fed through to Calum Macleod who was taken out again by Gordie in an identical challenge to the earlier one. John Uig stepped up and went the other way while Gordie went the same way.  0-2. Surely no way back for the Reds.

The Rudhachs grabbed a lifeline when Ali Gillies volleyed home after Stew had flicked on Wally’s superb free kick delivery.  1-2. Incredibly there was still time for James to produce another ridiculous save from Wally’s header (similar to last years league decider save). A minute later Angus Macdonalds acrobatic goal bound scissor kick was blocked a couple of yards out. Soon after Ref Maclean blew the whistle on another gutting night for the Reds.

Man of the match: Rob Jones. Superb, classy performance from  the Reds Winter signing. Drove the team on, winning the ball and distributing brilliantly.

See here : End of Season Awards 2016

The Reds slumped to another 2 1 league defeat, this time at the hands of their Broadbay rivals Back. On a windy cold night in Coll, the Reds couldn’t really get going and despite doing most of the attacking throughout the evening, couldn’t pierce a strong resolute Back defence, marshaled superbly by Campbell Macdonald. At the other end it was gifting cheap set pieces compounded by poor marking which allowed Back the chances to win the match.

The Reds started with Gordie in goal, Scott, Ali G, Elliot and Daniel. The midfield was Stew, Rob and Angus with Wally supported by Andrew Mac and Andrew Mo. The Reds started well with Andrew Mo in particular looking sharp down the left. Indeed it was his quick thinking from a throw in that set Wally scampering away down the inside left channel. Wally squared it invitingly for Andrew Mac who did the business and slotted the ball past Mikey in the Back goal. 1 0 and things looking good for the Reds who continued to have the lions share of possession.

There followed a couple of scrambles in the Back box, one of which was headed off the line after Mikey had spilled the ball. If only that had gone in! Back then equalised when Campbell was given the freedom of Upper Coll to head beyond Gordie from 6 yards out from a free kick. Coach Stoodie was going ballistic on the sidelines, giving Bombie a run for his money. Conner Mackay also had a chance for Back, latching on to a short back pass, but Gordie did well to stay big and block the shot before collecting the rebound.

Into the second half and the Reds won loads of corners but the Blues defended well and were still a threat on the break, although they were few and far between. Coach Stoodie threw Angus up to right wing and it almost had an immediate impact, his cross evading two or three Rudhachs sliding in at the back post. The Reds were beginning to turn the screw but then, disaster. A monster goal kick by Mikey in the Back goal could only be headed out for a corner by Elliot. As the corner came in a scramble ensued and there was Jason Macleod to hammer the ball home beyond Gordie.
The Reds pushed and pushed but couldn’t find that elusive goal as Blue jerseys threw themselves in to tackles. Corners came and were cleared brilliantly if not headed inches past the post.  In the last minute a nice ball by Daniel was head flicked over the keeper by Stew Munro but bounced agonisingly wide of the post. Soon after the ref blew the whistle.  Gutted.
Moment of match: Back have a sponsor for each game. Tonight’s sponsor was AJ Moley and Kenny Fiach. For a small fee they get a fancy seat, a complimentary bottle of water and a cuppa at half time. I think it is a good idea and one the Rudhachs should steal. Maybe we could offer the same but add a bit of quality baking into the mix!

Man of the match: Daniel Macleod. Improving with every game in his relatively new left back role.