MONYMUSK 2 - POSTAL ALC 2 - DIV2 - DEER PARK - SAT 9th AUG

Another league game and a chance to get back on track after a disappointing midweek performance and result. The venue was Deer Park to take on Monymusk on a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon. Pitch looked great and perfect conditions for an afternoon of good football. Postal were forced into changes with no fewer than 10 players being unavailable for the match.

1 Grant

2 Kieran

3 Scott S

4 Steely

5 Alli

6 Luca

7 Marty

8 Alex

9 Harry

10 Phil

11 Sultan

12 Vinnie

14 Marko

15 Duncan

16 Andreas

17 Fraser

The game started at a frantic pace. Much more urgency from Postal compared to Wednesday night but the ball was like a hot potato with nobody wanting to get a hold of it. Once again, similar to Wednesday, inside the first 5 minute the opposition took the lead. After a long range shot from the midfield took a deflection which saw the ball land right at the right wingers feet and he slammed the ball home. Lucky with the deflection but a good finish. 0-1.

To be fair the heads could have gone down but we kept trying to play our football in order to get ourselves back in the game. A couple of long range shots from Luca and Phil was about all we had to show for it though. Monymusk were still right in the game too with their tactic of long ball and swarming forward putting us under pressure and their attacking players were full of pace. It was a good even game at this point. After 20 minutes some good play down the left got the ball into Harry who swivelled away from his defender and got a shot away. Good save by the goalkeeper. We were coming more and more into the game and it felt like a goal was coming..

The game was still being played at a frantic pace. We were trying to be brave and play football and Monymusk stayed loyal to the direct ball and working off their quick attacking players. We were slightly on top at the stage and creating some half chance without there being anything worth mentioning. Harry was doing a fantastic job as the focal point up front, linking with midfield and causing their defence a headache. James Steele has also slotted back in like he'd never been away and was starting everything from the back. 

Just before half time Sully drove forward on the left, beat the right back two or three times before playing the ball across to meet Phil's late run from midfield. He took it first time but couldn't get any power behind the shot. Good chance. From another long ball forward Monymusk had the ball in the net but it was a mile offside. Half time, behind but not despondent and a real believe about getting ourselves back in the game.

Monymusk managed some early half chances but it was us who started the second half on the front foot with Alex, Phil and Sully all driving forward at the Monymusk defence and causing problems. Kieran got booked on 51 minutes for a crazy challenge from a throw in and seemed to lose the plot for a couple of minutes. On 55 minutes we again played the ball forward and Harry was tremendous in his hold up play. He forced a corner where Alli managed to win the first header, the ball dropped to Phil who skipped past a couple of players and slammed home from 6 yards out through a crowd of players. Great play and a smashing finish. 1-1

Game on and the whole team had their tails up now. We drove forward again and played the next 5 minutes in the Monymusk half but after a long clearance found a forward looking suspiciously offside the referee let play continue and the forward finished through the Grants legs, despite the efforts of the defence to stop him. Sickened 2-1 

Didn't let this disappointment get us down though and kept playing our football. Fast play down right hand side between Marty and Sultan resulted in a shot whistling just over the bar. Still playing good football and creating some chances. We were now on top of the game and pressing hard, putting the Monymusk back line under increased pressure down each flank. Harry was still playing really well but, to be fair, the Monymusk centre backs were also holding strong.

On 70 minutes made a triple sub to try and get back in the game with Marko, Vinnie and Duncan replacing Luca, Kieran and Marty. and this almost resulted in immediate success after great hold up play from Harry laid the ball back to Phil who crashed a shot off the post. Really unlucky! All Postal now with good play coming through Harry, Steely, Phil and Alex who seemed determined to make sure we got something out of the game. For all our good play Monymusk were still defending well and we weren't making enough clear chances.

With a couple of minutes to go Postal forced three corners in quick succession. On the second one, as the ball was floated in the Monymusk defender seemed to get too close to Steely and dragged him to the ground. Seemed clear cut but the referee decided against awarding the penalty. Looked like a let off for the home side. Phil got booked as the 90^th minute came and went but there was still time for more chances. Great wing play by Sultan down the right hand side saw him beat two men and drive an inviting cross low and hard across the goal. Both Marko and Duncan were on their heels slightly and didn't take the gamble. It's one of those days!

The boys kept playing and playing to get back into the match and after 3-4 minutes of stoppage time the ball got played forward to Harry who was adjudged to have been hit from behind by the defender and a penalty was awarded. Soft as they come but we'll take them all day long. Phil composed himself to drive the penalty past the keeper and snatch a point from the jaws of defeat and put a more realistic feel on the scoreline. 2-2 This was practically the last kick of the game.

A much better performance from Postal. Still not as fluid as preseason but played well going forward and created chances. No acceptance with defeat, which was in total contrast to Wednesday night. Monymusk would have been sick losing a penalty so late in the game, especially in the circumstances, but a draw was the very least we deserved in a good game of football.