Tags
Arsenal, Development League, Dundee United, East Kilbride, Hearts, Meadowbank. Edinburgh City, New Victoria Park, October 2014, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Under 20s, wandywatson, Whitehill Welfare
Saturday 18 October 2014, Meadowbank Stadium
Today it’s a first visit of the season to the cavernous Meadowbank to see Lowland League leaders Edinburgh City against East Kilbride.
City have had a great start to the Lowland League season and have left everyone trailing in their wake. They go into today’s game 8 points clear of their nearest rivals. East Kilbride would probably be in second place but for the fact that the last two weekends they have been playing in the Scottish Cup, which ultimately resulted in a home drubbing by fellow Lowland League side Spartans in the replay. They now have two games in hand on most of the rest of the field.
I’m sure I’d read somewhere that City were charging more than the other sides to get in, but it is the standard £5 we are charged for entrance. Having not had any lunch, it’s a disappointment to be told the hot food isn’t ready prior to kick off. (Going back 20 minutes later to be told to come back in a further 20 minutes when they’d be hot resulted in me going with a lukewarm pie.)
With less than 100 in the 7,500 capacity stand, it’s the usual strange atmosphere for a football game which is experienced at this venue. The lack of interest in this fixture is quite remarkable given the teams respective form.
To continue with the theme of things not being ready, we kick off two minutes late.
East Kilbride clearly weren’t ready either, as they go behind in just three minutes. Mbu plays the ball down the wing to Donaldson, who gives it to Allum on the edge of the box. He runs along the edge of the penalty area before firing the ball low into the bottom corner to give City an early lead.
The away side have a chance to get back in the game in the 5th minute, when a ball to the back post finds Hastings, but he can’t control it.
A minute later, and it’s 2-0. Allum picks the ball up in midfield and plays the ball wide to Gair, who is in acres of space. He closes in on goal and then shoots low and hard and finds the net via the far post.
There isn’t much coming off for East Kilbride and nothing in the way of chances.
The 18th minute sees the ball drop on the edge of the away team’s penalty box and Mbu turns and hits it. It doesn’t trouble the goalkeeper or anyone who might have been behind the goal as it goes out for a throw in.
It’s becoming a midfield battle which probably suits City, being two goals in front.
With 34 minutes gone, the ball is played into the City box and is hooked towards goal where it hits the hand of Paterson, who is very close to the player taking the shot. Although clearly not deliberate, the referee gives a penalty. Victoria puts the ball in the bottom corner from the spot and East Kilbride are back in it.
Allum, who had started so well for City, picks up a silly booking, kicking out after being fouled in 39 minutes. He doesn’t take long to make amends.
With 5 minutes to half time, the ball is played to Caddow wide on the right. He strides forward then plays a wonderful ball to the back post where the unmarked Allum heads in to make it 3-1.
In 42 minutes, there is a mix up at the back for City, and with the keeper out of position, East Kilbride have 2 efforts on goal, but they are both blocked. The latter of which may have hit Paterson on the hand. Again.
With a minute to half time, Paterson makes a great clearing header from a free kick out wide and from the resultant long throw in, the ball is bouncing around City’s penalty area until Victoria despatches it into the net from the middle of the box for his and East Kilbride’s second.
The whistle blows to end a five goal first half. A bizarre game, as there has only really been 5 efforts at goal and they have all gone in. (I’m not counting Mbu’s).
An acrobatic effort from Caddow begins the second half, but his overhead kick sails over the bar.
Paterson is lucky to escape a booking when he is dragged out wide to stop Victoria, but as the forward passes him, the City defender crudely brings him down. There’s 50 minutes gone.
East Kilbride are now having the lion’s share of possession and Hastings requires lengthy treatment after getting to the goal line in the 56th minute then landing badly on the track. He has recovered sufficiently to put in a testing cross with 62 minutes gone, but it’s headed behind for a corner which comes to nothing.
In the 63rd minute, Allum makes a long run down the right for City which takes him all the way into the box, but from a tight angle, his effort goes across the face of the goal.
Hastings is still struggling a bit and is replaced.
The sparse crowd means that you can hear every shout from the players, with both sets of fans seeming to have a designated shouter.
In the 82nd minute, O’Hara’s shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Stobie, but the rebound falls to Gormley who looks certain to score, but Stobie manages to block with his feet.
During much of the second half, a woman is playing with her kids on the track below the stand, between the crowd and the pitch which is pretty distracting. No idea why this is allowed to happen.
East Kilbride are having nearly all the possession now, but they aren’t really creating any clear cut chances. They are flinging loads of balls into the box, but the defence is heading away everything.
In the last minute, Howie loses his footing and City have a great chance to wrap up the points, but can only hit the side netting.
So another win for unbeaten City and they look strong. East Kilbride have a good team which will certainly be up there at the end of the season on this performance.
Full Time: Edinburgh City 3 East Kilbride 2
Admission: £5
Edinburgh City: 1 Stobie, 2 Caddow, 3 Donaldson, 4 MacDonald ( Osborne 84), 5 Paterson, 6 Mbu, 7 McFarland, 8 Gair, 9 Allum (Stenhouse 78), 10 Dunn (Torrance 74), 11 Vanson. Subs: 12 Wilson, 14 Torrance, 15 Osborne, 16 Stenhouse, 17 Deniran, 18 Pentland, 20 (sg) Taylor.
East Kilbride: 1 Gordon, 2 Lachlan, 3 Coll (McLaughlin 78), 4 Howie, 5 Morris, 6 Giblin (sub 15 45), 7 Gormley, 8 McBride, 9 Victoria, 10 Hastings (McGuinness 63), 11 O’Hara.
Referee: Scott Love
Programme: £1
Monday 20 October 2014, New Victoria Park
Back to Newtongrange for another Development League game, this time, between Hearts Under 20s and Dundee United Under 20s.
Both teams have a number of fringe players from the first team starting tonight, with Hamilton, McHattie, McKay, Robinson and Pallardo for Hearts and Townsend, Telfer, Spittal, Wilson and Szromnik for United.
As with all games at this level, there is the usual 100mph start with both teams keen to get a foothold in the game.
An early booking for United’s Butcher after a very hard challenge between him and Pallardo in the 4th minute.
United looked the more threatening side and what is becoming a habit for the Hearts young side, they lose an early goal. McHattie’s attempted clearance with his right foot was poor, and was picked up by Spittal, who drove forward before unleashing a shot which was deflected past Hamilton into the corner for 1-0 to United after 12 minutes.
It was nearly two just a couple of minutes later when a lovely exchange of passes between Spittal and Telfer saw the former with a chance, but he hit it straight at the keeper.
Robinson has Hearts first chance with 15 minutes on the clock, but his shot from the edge of the box is half blocked and the sting is taken out of it.
In the 21st minute, a lovely bit of skill in the box sees Telfer create a chance for himself, but Hamilton saves at his feet.
In the 25th minute, Ademeyo chased a loose ball into the box and he and Hamilton clashed. The keeper may have just got a touch on the ball first, but it happened very quickly and the ref awards United a penalty. No card for Hamilton. Hamilton gets a hand on Connolly’s penalty, but can’t stop it going in. McHattie seems to be having an extended argument with the linesman.
A minute later and United have carved open the home defence again. McHattie brings down the attacker on the edge of the box and is lucky to only receive a yellow. The free kick comes to nothing.
A one-two between Beith and Robinson sees the latter go down on the edge of the box for what looks a soft free kick on the half hour, which Robinson takes himself, but it’s blocked by the wall.
United are soon back on the attack and a through ball from Spittal sees Ademeyo shoot just wide after 32 minutes.
A scare for both sides in the 37th minute when Flanagan and Smith clash heads in an aerial challenge, with Flanagan also landing badly, but both seem ok.
United almost gift a goal to Hearts in 39 minutes with some comedy defending, but Szromnik manages to boot clear.
With 3 minutes to half time, a great bit of skill by Robinson on half way sees him release the ball to Buchanan out wide. He skins the defender, but his cross is cleared behind.
McHattie gives a foul away in 42 minutes, and he turns his back on the play and the ball is played in behind him from the quickly taken kick and almost leads to a third.
Right on half time, a Beith cross is deflected into the path of Buchanan, who controls the ball well and then is brought down from behind by Souttar for another penalty. Should also have been another red card. Beith puts the penalty away with confidence to get Hearts back into it.
United would be scratching their heads at half time at being only 2-1 up after completely controlling the first half.
A classic moment in the 50th minute. As Souttar carefully watches a high ball coming towards him, a team mate is shouting “Time! Time! Time!” He brings the ball down neatly and is immediately told “Man on!”
With 53 minutes gone, a quick break by Hearts sees some intricate play on the edge of the box ends with McKirdy playing the ball to Flanagan, who curls the ball into the top corner for an unlikely equaliser.
A good run by Connolly after 55 minutes takes him to the edge of the box but his shot is straight at Hamilton in the Hearts goal.
Robinson is unlucky to see a curling effort tipped over the bar by the United keeper in 57 minutes and Hearts are looking like a completely different team since half time.
The turnaround is complete in 58 minutes when a Hearts corner is missed by a defender and Henderson shows great feet to poke the ball into the net to give Hearts the lead.
In the 65th minute, a break by Hearts sees Robinson on the edge of the box with two players in support, but he decides to go it alone and the keeper turns his shot round the post. From the corner a stinging effort by Flanagan is tipped over the bar by Szromnik.
United are trying to get back into the game and a firm effort from Ademeyo is well wide after 67 minutes.
Robinson continues to feature in Hearts midfield and he wins the ball in midfield before playing it forward to Beith who shoots wide after 73 minutes.
With Hearts starting to look comfortable, a freak goal gets United level again. Spittal tries his luck from distance and the ball takes a deflection and loops up over the keeper’s head and finds the net in 77 minutes.
The goal galvanizes United and two minutes later, they are in front. Connolly, out wide, plays the ball inside to Spittal who quickly transfers the ball to the umarked Ademeyo at the back post and he rifles home for 4-3.
A United corner in 82 minutes is flapped at by Hamilton and the ball falls for Souttar who shoots home from close range to make it 5-3 to United.
With two minutes left, United break quickly and Ademeyo hammers the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box with Hamilton helpless for yet another United goal.
A game of three halves? Hearts had a really good 20 minutes at the start of the second half, but United controlled the game at all other points.
Some very good United players on show and the power and pace of Ademeyo will soon be seen in the United first team if this performance was indicative of his play. Townsend, Telfer and Spittal also very impressive. For Hearts, Robinson and Beith showed up well and despite their stature, Flanagan and Buchanan never gave up against experienced defenders. Hearts injury problems up front and Oliver’s loan means they are often playing with midfield players up front. Liam Henderson has now played at midfield anchor, left wing and centre half in the last three games I’ve seen him play.
Hugely entertaining game of football.
Full Time: Hearts Under 20s 3 Dundee United Under 20s 6
Admission: £3
Hearts: 1 Hamilton, 2 Gordon, 3 McHattie, 4 McKay, 5 Henderson, 6 Pallardo, 7 McKirdy, 8 Robinson, 9 Buchanan, 10 Beith, 11 Flanagan. Subs: Brown, Roy, I Smith, Scott.
Dundee United: 1 Szromnik, 2 Wilson, 3 Townsend, 4 Butcher, 5 J Souttar, 6 Spark, 7 Connolly (Lochhead 83), 8 S Smith, 9 Ademeyo, 10 Telfer, 11 Spittal (Coote 83). Subs: Zwick, Harwood, Lochhead, B Smith, Montgomery, Coote.
Programme: None.
Saturday 25 October 2014, Stadium of Light
There’s a feeling of trepidation in the air amongst the Sunderland fans before their game against Arsenal. Just seven days ago they were embarrassed 8 (eight) 0 by Southampton. When fans are looking for their team to show some fight after the previous week’s debacle, Arsenal would be one of the worst teams to face. While they don’t regularly score loads of goals, they aren’t easy to get the ball off and frustrate teams and fans. (Sometimes their own!)
It’s my first trip south of the border for football this season, and I’ve been to the cavernous Stadium of Light a few times over the years. While there isn’t anything wrong with it, it seems a bit soulless to me, which is a shame given the passion of fans from the North East. It’s very similar to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, although a bit bigger. It’s actually very similar to most grounds in England that have been built in recent years.
Sunderland had been unbeaten in the league before that mauling on the south coast and had had creditable home draws with Manchester United, Tottenham and Swansea, as well as beating Stoke, so they would be hoping to maintain their home form. Despite last week’s result, there are 44,449 in attendance.
Arsenal have had far more draws than they would want or expect so far in the league and are well behind the leaders. They have been plagued with injuries and are pleased to have goalkeeper Szczesny returning from suspension while Arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain come in for Ramsey and the suspended Wilshere.
Theo Walcott returns to the first-team squad to take his place on the bench.
The home side make two changes to the team defeated at Southampton, with Johnson and Rodwell starting and Wickham and Jordi Gomez dropping to the bench. New signing Antony Reveillere has been named on the bench.
Sunderland are first to show, in the second minute, when Rodwell’s header from a Buckley cross goes wide. Gibbs has Arsenal’s first effort, in 6 minutes, but his right footed shot from outside the box following a corner is also wide.
With 8 minutes gone, Cazorla lays the ball off to Sanchez, whose shot from outside the box goes wide. At the other end, after 13 minutes, Brown heads the ball across goal for O’Shea, but the Arsenal defence are there quickly to block.
Wellbeck is next to try his luck for the Gunners, hitting a pass from Cazorla over the bar from outside the box after 15 minutes.
Arsenal are knocking the ball about well and their midfield is packed with players who are good on the ball, but they aren’t really creating any clear cut chances.
The impressive Patrick van Aanholt almost got in on goal for the Black Cats in 28 minutes when Larsson flicked on Fletcher’s pass across the face of the box, but a superb sliding tackle by Mertesacker stopped a scoring opportunity.
With half an hour gone, Arsenal make the breakthrough. Wes Brown (who seems to give goals away every time I have seen him) is in possession on the half way line. As Sanchez come to close him down he turns and attempts to play the ball all the way back to keeper Mannone. Instead, he knocks the ball about 5 yards and Sanchez is onto it in a flash, outpacing the chasing defenders and dinking the ball expertly over the advancing keeper for an easy goal.
Three minutes later, Oxlade-Chamberlain plays the ball to Cazorla who rifles the ball towards goal, but with Mannone beaten, it goes just wide. Arteta is next to try his luck following a pass from Wellbeck, but he is also wide of the goal.
Arsenal are still passing the ball well, but equally, still not creating chances. Chambers is the next to try from distance after 36 minutes, but Mannone saves comfortably.
The first half ends with both managers keen to get their views across to their respective players.
The first incident of note in the second half is Arsenal’s Wellbeck trying to get a penalty by diving in the box. This is still the biggest problem with going to see top flight football in England. The ref isn’t fooled though and I’m pleased to see the England International getting a yellow card. The Sunderland fans go easy on him after the successful loan spell he had with them in 2010-11.
The home side seem to have upped the tempo since half time and they have their best chance so far in 52 minutes. Larsen crosses and finds the head of Rodwell, whose downward header is heading into the bottom corner, but Szczesny made a smart save.
Just before the hour, Sanchez has an effort from outside the box but it’s straight at the keeper. At the other end, Cattermole sets up Larsson, but his 61st minute shot from the edge of the box is well saved.
Substitutions come thick and fast as Sunderland look to get back in the game and Arsenal need to replace the injured Gibbs. Sunderland are continuing to work hard in a spirited display and Arsenal retain their patient passing game.
A good run and cross from van Aanholt sets up substitute Altidore for a header in 73 minutes but he can’t get the power in it to trouble Szczesny. Fellow sub Jordi Gomez sets up the same player in the 75th minute, but this time he shoots wide.
The Sunderland fans sense they can still get something out of the game but they were nearly silenced in the 78th minute when Monreal crosses for Wellbeck who is unlucky to see his header go just over.
van Aanholt was urged to shoot by the home crowd when Szczesny slipped whilst clearing with 10 minutes left, and although he obliged, the ball went wide of the target.
The game is becoming increasingly stretched with Sunderland throwing more players forward in search of a late equaliser and they are nearly caught out on the break, but Cazorla, having been set up by Wellbeck, has his shot saved in the 84th minute.
With four minutes to go, van Aanholt heads the ball inside to Cattermole whose shot looks as though it might be creeping in, but it goes the wrong side of the post.
Arsenal have a succession of shots in the last couple of minutes, with Carzola hitting over, before Sanchez and Sub Ramsay have theirs blocked. Carzola shoots over the top again as the clock reaches 91 minutes when completely unmarked.
When it looks like finishing with the often repeated “one – nil to the Arsenal”, Sunderland shoot themselves in the foot again. Vergini played a loose ball back to goalkeeper Mannone in the box and the keeper seemed to get his feet tangled up and miscontrolled the ball into the path of the predatory Sanchez. He quickly despatched the ball into the back of the net although Mannone almost recovered, getting a hand to the ball.
Arsenal were far from convincing, creating very few good chances. Sunderland were a lot more solid than the previous week, but it was two individual mistakes at the back which cost them this game. They did have a couple of others deep in their own half which they got away with.
Was very impressed with Sunderland full back van Aanholt, and it was impossible not to be impressed by Sanchez’s movement and all round touch.
Just in case you were wondering, Cattermole did get booked.
Full Time: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 2.
Admission: £27
Sunderland: 25 Mannone, 27 Vergini, 16 O’Shea, 5 Brown, 3 van Aanholt, 6 Cattermole, 11 Johnson (Altidore 74), 7 Larsson, 8 Rodwell (Jordi Gomez 74), 30 Buckley, 9 Fletcher (Wickham 50). Subs: 1 Pantilimon, 4 Bridcutt, 10 Wickham, 14 Jordi Gomez, 15 Reveillere, 17Altidore, 18 Mavrias.
Arsenal: 1 Szczeny, 21 Chambers, 4 Mertesacker, 18 Monreal, 3 Gibbs (Bellerin 74), 8 Arteta (Ramsey 88), 20 Flamini, 15 Oxlade-Chamerlain (Rosicky 90), 17 Sanchez, 19 Cazorla, 23 Wellbeck. Subs: 7 Rosicky, 9 Podolski, 14 Walcott, 16 Ramsey, 26 Martinez, 28 Campbell, 39 Bellerin.
Referee: Kevin Friend
Programme: £3
Friday 31 October 2014, New Victoria Park
Another visit to Newtongrange, this time for the SFA Youth Cup, with Hearts Under 20s up against Whitehill Welfare Under 20s.
It’s a positively balmy evening in Midlothian and certainly not what you would expect on the last day of October. No overage players on show tonight as the rules for the competition insist on age appropriate players.
It’s a very young Hearts side with Liam Gordon the oldest player at 18, while Welfare have seven players in their final season at U20. Hearts will miss Beith who is suspended.
There’s a noticeable difference immediately from the usual incredibly fast under 20 Development League. The players seem to have more time on the ball tonight than they usually have in the League.
A great run by Roy in the fifth minute sees him make it into the Whitehill box, but he is eventually crowded out.
A nice one-two between Flannagan and Moore in 10 minutes sees Flannagan fouled on the edge of the box. Scott’s free kick is comfortably held by Malcolm.
Gordon receives lengthy treatment after being caught late by Flynn after 14 minutes. The Welfare forward is fortunate not to go in the book.
Buchanan has an impressive run in 16 minutes, gliding past defenders, but his run is eventually halted.
The 20th minute sees another Hearts attack, with Roy cutting inside two defenders on the edge of the box and Gordon then taking over and the referee awarded a penalty when he went down under a challenge. Buchanan sends the kick straight down the middle to put the home side in front.
Flynn tries to get Welfare back into the game with a snapshot from outside the box after 22 minutes, but Brown saved well in the Hearts goal.
The 28th minute sees Scott bring the ball forward for Hearts and play in Buchanan, whose shot from a tight angle is turned round the post by the keeper
Whitehill break forward on the half hour and Bell wins a corner. Jardine rises highest, but his header goes wide.
A great passing move in 32 minutes ends with Roy trying to play the ball through, but the ball is blocked and comes back to him, and he despatches the ball into the corner of the net to put Hearts two up.
There are some strange refereeing decisions taking place and he also doesn’t seem to understand the advantage rule.
In the 37th minute, Henderson intercepts the ball in midfield and plays it to Buchanan. He has two efforts blocked before the ball comes back to him again and he curls it into the corner for 3-0.
With 6 minutes to half time, Smith makes a good run down the right and his cross is met powerfully by Roy, but it goes just over.
A good first half by Hearts who have looked impressive. Welfare won’t give up, but are playing against superior opponents tonight.
Hearts looked to begin where they left off and a jinking run by Buchanan in 50 minutes ended with his shot from the edge of the box just wide with the keeper routed to the spot.
In 52 minutes, Flynn was barged over on the edge of the box and the Welfare forward took the free kick himself, but it went past the post. From the resultant goal kick, McKirdy was short with a passback and Hearts were lucky to escape.
A minute later, Hearts were on the front foot again and only a great block from Simpson stopped the home side from extending their lead.
With 59 minutes gone, a cross into the Hearts box was cleared to the sound of the referee’s whistle and everyone turned to see what had happened, to see him pointing at the penalty spot. I’ve no idea what this was given for and nobody seemed to claim for it. We were then treated to the delightful scene of Flynn and Jardine playing rock/paper/scissors to determine who took the penalty. Flynn seemed to win as he stepped up to take it, but Brown made a good save down to his left to maintain Hearts’ lead.
Flynn, possibly still reeling from his penalty miss, was then booked on the hour mark, for another late tackle.
With 65 minutes gone, a great ball from Flannagan played in Buchanan down the wing and his cross took a slight deflection as it ran across the face of the goal, but there were no takers for Hearts.
The game kind of petered out after this with lots of substitutions and niggly fouls as the game became more scrappy. Hearts kept the ball well and were clearly content with what they had, while Welfare were refusing to give up.
Hearts substitute Gullan had a shot from outside of the box go over the bar in the 80th minute.
The only other real incident of note came in the last minute when Flanagan played in Buchanan who saw his shot well saved by Malcolm.
A convincing win for Hearts who had Roy and Buchanan on top form with their tireless running and they created many problems for the Welfare defence. Smith and Flannagan also impressed. Welfare have a big strong side with no little ability and in a mirror image of their first team, they have a tall rangey midfielder controlling things from the middle of the park. For Willie Kidd at first team level, see Jardine for the under 20s.
Full Time: Hearts Under 20s 3 Whitehill Welfare Under 20s 0
Admission: £3
Hearts Under 20s: 1 Brown, 2 L Smith, 3 Henderson, 4 Gordon, 5 Page (Taylor 84), 6 McKirdy (Gullan 65), 7 Flannagan, 8 Scott, 9 Roy, 10 Buchanan, 11 Moore (Stevenson 65). Subs: 12 Gullan, 14 Stevenson, 15 Taylor, 16 Morgan, 17 Williams.
Whitehill Welfare Under 20s: 1 Malcolm, 2 Swinney, 3 Bell (Thomson 84), 4 Jardine (Stark 79), 5 Simpson, 6 Cobie, 7 Harris (McKay 62), 8 Mercer, 9 Flynn, 10 Heron, 11 Wales. Subs: 12 Thomson, 14 Robertson, 16 Stark, 17 McKay, 18 Murrin.
Programme: None.
Wandywatson Football 