Mens 1 Vs Clydesdale

The second encounter of these teams this weekend proved to be one for the neutrals. A 6 goal thriller, this game went right down to the wire, ending with a penalty shootout.

After the undeserved narrow loss in the league a mere 24 hours previous, the Wanderers were fired up to end the Glasgow side’s cup run.
With no changes to the starting side from the day before, they started out with a fierce intensity, closing down the ball quickly and closing off gaps efficiently. Despite dominating play and having a few attacking opportunities, none were converted early in the game. This continued for a period until, against the run of play, a Clydesdale striker broke away in the attacking circle to receive a pass for an easy finish into the Wanderers net. However, while the Clydesdale dugout were ranting and raving about how easy that was, the home side struck straight after the restart, as Guy Murdoch found himself with his back to goal in the attacking circle, so turned and took a shot, which went in through the keepers legs. Despite the instant reply, the all blacks’ dominance was lost. Clydesdale came into the game, and created some good scoring chances, which Paul Johnstone was equal to. However, a defensive error allowed a Clydesdale striker to spin into the attacking circle and give a pass which was finished for Clydesdales second. They then put in a third from a short corner flick which Johnstone just couldn’t get enough behind, to put the score 3-1 at the break.

Despite the score-line, Wanderers came out in the second half with the fight and energy they showed at the start of the game, using their superior fitness levels to tire out the Glasgow side all over the pitch. They were rewarded for their hard work and determination with a goal when Guy Murdoch, undoubtedly the best player on the park, pressured an opposition midfielder into a mis-trap. He took the ball forward to the edge of the attacking circle and played a ball into Jack Fullerton who deflected the ball on goal, only for it to be saved by the keeper. He was on his toes though, and followed up the resulting loose ball to bundle the ball over the line. Wanderers kept up their relentless pressure on the visitors, who had no answers, and the third came with a superb solo effort from none other than Allan Law, cutting through the Clydesdale defence as though they were cardboard cut-outs, to hit a great finish into the left corner. The deadlock was not broken by the end of the game, so a penalty shootout was on the cards.

With Clydesdale to shoot first, the pressure was on to start them off with a goal. This wasn’t to be however as the striker fluffed his penalty for an easy save for Paul Johnstone. Jimmy Weyers was up first for the Dundee side, who confidently slotted the ball low into the left corner. The second of Clydesdales penalties ended as the first did, a save from Johnstone and an unhappy chappy. Guy Murdoch then stepped up for the Wanderers and rounded off a superb performance in the game with a superb penalty, putting them two up after two. With the pressure rising on Clydesdale, it was essential that they score this penalty. Johnstone pulled off yet another save though, which the taker responded to with an illegal follow-up hit, sparking anger in the home team and earning himself a yellow card. With the score still at 2-0 in the shootout, a Wanderers goal with their third penalty would win them the game. Bobby Ralph stepped up, fearless, and went the same way as his two team-mates, low in the left corner to score and put the Wanderers through to the next round.