JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA TUESDAY DECEMBER 6

Dec 6 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE weather played havoc with the weekend’s fixtures with cancellations galore.

The only game to get the go ahead in the Central League was Jeanfield Swifts/Crossgates Primrose and that was after the Riverside Stadium was given the all clear by a pitch inspection.

Kinnoull weren’t quite so fortunate. They were down to play Dundonald Bluebell at Tulloch Park but unfortunately despite a lot of hard work by the committee the game failed to get the go ahead.

Bankfoot, Luncarty and Newburgh, all away from home, were also left idle when their games were called off.

Jeanfield have taken over the leadership of the Central League from the long time leaders Kinnoull.

Swifts did so after collecting the three points from their 10–0 win over Crossgates Primrose in Saturday’s encounter and they are now two points ahead of their neighbours.

The first Swifts goal came after six minutes when Mark Gordon played a high ball to Jon Anderson who headed it on.

The Crossgates keeper Dale Wotherspoon came off his line to clear the danger but had the misfortune to lose his footing and Gavin Mackie, who was in close attendance, was left with the not too difficult task of dispatching the loose ball into the net.

Swifts pressure was relentless and they missed chances before they increased their lead midway through the half. Gavin Anderson was brought down 25 yards from the Crossgates goal and Steve McManus took the free-kick and smashed the ball past the wall into the corner of the net.

Swifts striker Robbie Holden who had been causing the Primrose defence much grief but hadn’t put away any of the chances that came his way suddenly found his scoring touch and between the 31st and 39th minutes he scored a hat-trick.

His first was from a penalty which was awarded after Gavin Mackie was fouled in the penalty box, his second came when he ran on to a pass from Gavin Anderson and smacked the ball past the keeper from just inside the penalty box.

He completed his scoring spree when Steve McAllister played a great ball out to him on the left byeline and as the keeper came off his line to narrow the angle he calmly lobbed the ball over him into the back of the net and Swifts were now 5–0 ahead.

Swifts sixth goal was scored a minute before the break and it was a cracker. Good play between Gavin Anderson, John Anderson and Gavin Mackie who’s cross into the penalty box was only partially cleared by a defender and it fell to Gavin Anderson who was 30 yards from the goal. Gavin met the ball first time and his volley left the keeper helpless.

Minutes after the restart Steve McManus after skipping his way past a couple of opponents scored but the referee adjudged that one of his team mates was offside.

The next chance fell to Crossgates when a mistake by Mark Gordon allowed Dale Allen a clear run in on goal but his shot was straight at Swifts keeper Mark Mitchell who saved it and his clearance started a move that finished with Gavin Mackie being downed in the penalty box.

Steve McManus was entrusted with the spot kick and he made no mistake and made it 7–0.

Five minutes later Kevin Fowler who had come on as a sub added goal number eight. He ran on to a deft back heel pass from John Anderson and smacked it past the keeper.

Swifts pressure slackened off after this before Jon Kelly who had come on as a sub ran on to a through ball from Gavin Mackie and slipped it past the keeper from close range to make it 9–0 and with five minutes remaining Gavin Mackie completed the rout when he made it 10–0.

The game ended on a sour note for Swifts as Jon Kelly got a straight red card after a foul on an opponent.

Blairgowrie were away to Pollok in their Scottish Cup third round replay and unfortunately although they strived hard throughout the game and received plaudits for their efforts, they went down to the experienced Glasgow side 6–0.

The first half was all square until the 34th minute when Andy Essler put Pollok ahead when he beat keeper O’Brien from close range. A few minutes before the break Paul McQuilken made it 2–0. Pollok had made it 4–0 by midway through the second half with goals from Darren Bradley and Iain Diack.

Blair had a great chance to pull one back when they were awarded a penalty which was taken by Gary Axworthy. But his well struck effort was brilliantly saved by keeper Scott Morrison. The ball then broke for Gareth Lamb but once again keeper Morrison denied Blair.

With 11 minutes left substitute Tam Hanlon, who was playing his first game for Pollok after joining them from Shotts earlier in the week, made it a scoring debut with goal number five. In the final minute of the game Darren Bradley with his second goal of the game made it 6–0.

Coupar Angus who were due to play Brechin Vics at home had the game switched to Brechin as Foxhall Park was unplayable.

Vics took the lead after six minutes with a goal from Ewan Biggans and this was the goal that separated the sides up until the 43rd minute when Coupar scored twice to go in at the interval 2–1 ahead.

Ryan Smith, Coupar’s latest signing who is a striker, scored both those goals, The Vics got back on level terms in 70 minutes. Danny Ross was brought down in the penalty box and Ryan Strachan converted the spot kick and with four minutes to go Ewan Biggins with his second goal of the game made it 3–2 and this late winner left Coupar still without a point.

Kinnoull after their game was called off played an away friendly against Ballingry on a neutral venue and they went on to beat the Premier League side. Striker Gary Fraser scored twice in the first half. Ballingry got back into the game when they netted a second half penalty. Chris Webster restored Kinnoull’s two goal lead when he made it 3–1 and that’s how the game ended.