Monymusk 3 - Postal ALC 4 - Div 1 North - Deer Park - 22nd Feb 2025

With Webster park under water, the fixture was switched to Deer Park.  Postal had a great display and result last week and the management team had challenged the team to produce the same performance. 

Monymusk have been on a great run of late picking up points and scoring goals for fun so Postal knew they were in for a long day at the office if they wanted to pick up the 3 points.

Postal ALC named an unchanged side.  Scott Stuart was welcomed back into the squad along with new signing Ross Murray.  David Finch dropped out the squad due to car problems.

Team Selection:

Grant Cormack

Bruce Webster

James Steele

Adam Veitch

Peter Frampton

Kieron Dowbekin

Doug Russell

Phillip Wallace

Alex Clarke

Steven Abel

Duncan MacKenzie

Bench:

Sergiu Cotovici

Duncan Paterson

Scott Stuart

Ross Murray

Sultan Ahmed

Harry McAuley

Allie MacRae

Monymusk kicked off the encounter. 

Postal started off strong and on 2 min a strong run from Alex Clarke down the postal left, seen his cross dummied by Doug Russell and Phillip Wallace coming onto the ball and driving home from 20 yards.  An excellent goal by the strong running Wallace who had been a revelation since his signing for Postal. 

On the 5th minute Steven Abel, continuing his great form, robbed the right back following a sloppy pass from the Musk centre half however the move broke down in the opposition box.

9th Minute Wallace released Duncan Mackenzie who hit the byline and cut the ball back to Doug Russell who seen his left foot shot go wide of the post.  A great move from Postal.

On the 10th minute Doug Russell swung in a great corner that had no takers.

On the 13th minute Postal were lucky not to lose a goal.  The referee adjudged Bruce Webster to have fouled number 11.  The resultant free kick was met by a Musk player at the back post who seen his header come off the outside of the post.

After 15 minutes the majority of the pressure came from Monymusk, who without creating any chances, continued to go long and force Postal into their own half.

On 20 minutes Wallace controlled the ball in his own half, taking the ball down on his chest, advanced and took a long range effort which the keeper saved.

30th min Monymusk hit the ball long, Veitch missed the first ball, Webster the second and number 7 found himself one on one with Cormack who saved well.

On 36 minutes Frampton intercepted a long ball to the right winger, advancing he played the ball into Wallace who in turn played a great through ball to Duncan Mackenzie.  Mackenzie raced through on goal and one VS one with the keeper dispatched.  Great goal and great play.  Mackenzie has been on fire in the last 3 games, holding the ball up, playing in his team mates and creating chaos for the opposition.  Really well deserved goal from the big man.

With the game edging toward half time on 44 min Postal failed to clear their lines, the ball broke to number 7 who took on Frampton.  Racing back the Postal left back slide in batching the Musk winger.  The challenge was well outside the box, slide marks proved it, however a pen was awarded which number 9 slotted home much to the rage of the Postal team.

HT

Postal seemed determined to go toe to toe with Monymusk with the ball in the air rather than play it out from the back and keep the ball on the floor.  Postal management told them if they wanted to play that game they had to raise their effort 10 to 15% and defend well.

On 46 minutes Musk had a shot from distance that sailed over the bar.

47th min another Musk corner came to nothing.

On the 51st minute a long throw to number 7, seen him turn inside and race through on goal, rounding Cormack the ball fell to another Musk forward, Bruce Webster made a crucial tackle however the ball fell to number 7 who scored.

2 – 2

On the 54th minute against the run of play, a Musk long throw seen Veitch head the ball clear, landing to Wallace the ball was flicked onto MacKenzie who slipped in Abel who fired the ball home.  Great finish

2 – 3

On 55 minutes with Postal regaining the foothold in the game, Frampton intercepted the ball, fed in Doug Russell, back to Frampton who released Clarke who shot from distance.  The Musk goalkeeper handling well.

On 58th min disaster for Postal.  A long throw again found 7 who cut inside, this time Dowbekin would make the challenge knee high to give Musk a penalty which number 9 again slotted home.

3 – 3

65 min Wallace takes down a throw from the Postal left and drives into the box, turning direction he is brought down and gets Postal a penalty.  Up stepped Wallace to slot the ball home.

3 – 4

On the 70th minute Wallace slides in Russell who shoots over the bar.  Great opportunity for Postal to extend the lead.

70th Minute, Sultan Ahmed, Harry and Duncan P enter the game for Alex, Duncan Mackenzie and Doug Russell

All Postal now on the 75th min Wallace slips in Ahmed who seen his shot well saved, the rebound comes to Wallace who seen his shot blocked.  Finally the ball coming to Dowbekin 30 yards out he shoots, swivels in the air and looks up to find the ball 20 mm from where he left it. 

80th min Duncan Paterson finds himself one on one against the Musk keeper 5 yards out from a great Bruce Webster long ball.  Unluckily for the forward his shot is straight at the keeper.

On the 82min Abel is through against the keeper however his touch takes the ball to the keeper.

89th minute Captain Steele plays the Musk forward offside, with Veitch playing the forward online, he advanced only for Cormack to stop the forward in his tracks.  A great save from the Postal number 1.

92nd Min Scott Stuart enters the play for Phillip Wallace

Musk had multiple corners up until the 94th minute however Postal held on for the win.

Man of the Match – Phillip Wallace

Substitutes Not Used – Allie MacRae, Sergiu Cotovici, Ross Murray

Great team spirit throughout today.  Postal had the majority of the play opening 15 minutes however let Monymusk decide how the game would be played up until 70 minutes when Postal then created the majority of the chances.

Midfield and Forwards will take much of the plaudits today however Cormack made 2 excellent saves that gained Postal the 3 points.