Report

08/08/09.
Fosters Central Scottish Premeir League.
Eddlewood AFC St.Patricks FP

An opening league fixture away to Eddlewood would not be the first choice but it was certainly a fixture to savour. The Hamilton side like St.Pats did pick up domestic Silver ware but the home team had the added disappointment of loosing out in the semi final stage of the Scottish and West Cups late last season, but hope springs eternal and both sides opened in enthusiastic mode.

St.Pats dominated the opening minutes but with only five minutes suffered a set-back when Andy Livingston intercepted a slack pass before making haste down the right before delivering a super cross that allowed Andy Lister to head home at the back post without a meaningful challenge.

Stung by this set-back, this produced a positive response from the visitors as they exerted pressure on the Eddlewood defence in a quest for equality. In the 23rd minute they would be rewarded when a cute cut-back from Ruane opened up play for Courtney but the keeper managed to scramble the ball clear, but the Saints remained alive to the situation and Courtney made amends with a vital pass to Sean Marner who made no mistake with a low drive passed the desperate attempts of goal keeper McHugh.

At this stage the early start to the league and pre-season disruption due to both sides having a couple of key players away on International duty did not seem to matter. Pressure from the dynamic MacKinnon was allied to the perceptive play of Joe Goldie and the sharp play and industry of Ruane led to the visitors exerting a fair amount of pressure but with the chance scorned Eddlewood once again took full advantage.

Famous for short sharp break from defence the Hamilton side demonstrated their expertise from an innocent shy that eventually ended at the back post where Jamie Dunbar was waiting to take full advantage. However, the Saints were in no mood to feel sorry for themselves and before the break they would again pull level.

This time a perceptive pass from Goldie allowed Courtney and Marner to combine before Currie was brought into play with a vicious low drive that ended in at the near post for a super goal. Still Eddlewood had a chance to make amends before the break but Connor was alert to the situation with a fine save from Dunbar.

Into the second period there would be no more goals but the contest remained in compelling mode. Within minutes MacKinnon set up Marner with a pop that hit the post before rolling out to safety and on the hour mark the due was once again involved in a super move that ended with a good save from the Eddlewood keeper McHugh.

Other chances followed for the visitors but they would remain frustrated and into the last half hour the bench was cleared without any luck in the goal scoring department. The Saints keeper would also be involved in a spell with two good stops as the St.Pats tried desperately to clear the danger but this was the only defiant spell in the half form the locals and in the end honour remained even in what was a splendid encounter.

K Connor. A Galloway. J Deeley. J Goldie. K Brown. D MacKinnon. M Currie. D Ruane S Marner. S Courtney. S Gardiner M MacLeod. . D D'annunzio. J Joyce.