Newmachar Utd 4 - Postal ALC 1 - Scottish Cup - Strathburn Park - Saturday 7th Sep 2024

TEAM - 1.  David Finch 2. Scott Stuart 3. David Russell 4. Alli Macrae 5. Andrew Baxter 6. Bruce Webster  7. Euan Brechin  8. Luca Giulianotti 9. Harry MCCauley 10. James Steele 11. Jackson Bennett 12. Steven Carter 14. Neil MacDonald 15. Adam Veitch 16. Sergiu Cotovici 17. Tomas Traca

OPPOSITION MOTM – N/A

Drawn away to Newmachar in the Scottish Cup, Postal had been in confident mood following last weeks result.  Postal welcomed new signings Jackson Bennett and Tomas Traca into the squad with Carter also returning following an extended holiday period.

Postal kicked off the encounter and had a good opportunity in the 1st minute of the game.  A good tackle from Luca G, anchoring the midfield, fed the ball to Jackson who went on a mazy run with his shot from 22 yards just wide of the keepers left hand post. 

Newmachar would signal their intent with a series of corners, with chances falling to number 10 on both occasions with a free header and shot from the edge of the box. 

On 10 min a Newmachar corner was met with the onrushing number 5, who headed directly off the bar.  The rebound found number 9 who bundled the ball into the net for the home side to take the lead.  Finch will have felt he could have done better with the follow up shot however lack of defending also played its part in the goal. Particularly frustrating for the watching Postal support as this very scenario was discussed in the changing room.  1-0

Postal midfield were struggling to get to grips with the free running number 10 and on 15 min he again had another crack on goal. 25 min he would get his goal, shooting from range and watching it bounce over Finch already sprawled on the floor.  2-0

At this point the postal defensive shape was severely lacking, and on 30 min a misplaced pass from Steele in the midfield saw Newmachar play a long ball over the top.  Baxter decided to elbow the ball and was immediately dismissed for a straight red card.  Failure to retain the ball and lack of cover at the back all factors but a crazy decision to block the ball with a elbow. 

Postal actually came into the game and played better with a man less, on 40 min Luca G was fouled some 23 yards from goal.  Jackson Bennett stepped up to slam the ball home direct from the freekick.  2-1

Half Time – Newmachar Utd 2 – Postal ALC 1

After the half, Steele had a free kick strike the bar on 55 min. 

60 min Bruce Webster would have a half chance from a Russell cross as Postal became more dominant chasing the equaliser. 

62 min a Steele corner was met by Bennett only to see his header blocked from a certain goal via the defender. 

65 min Newmachar number 10 rattled the Postal ALC bar after Postal failed to clear a long throw into the box. 

68 min number 10 would find himself in footrace with Macrae.  Winning the race his chipped shot was well wide of Finches left hand post.

70 min a through ball on the postal left, Russell claimed for offside…..raced back, slid, missed the ball which Newmachar pounced upon and cut back to number 11 for a goal.  3-1 

74th minute Carter and Tomas came on replacing Russell and Macrae. 

77th minute Veitch replaced Stuart, Serg replaced Harry, Neil replaced Bruce Webster.

80th Minute the strong running number 9 met a cross from the Postal right and put the game to bed.  4-1

Overall, as is the case recently hard to gauge what Postal will turn up.  No real game intelligence continuing to kick long against a team of giants, no real quality passing or creating chances and the defensive shape and willingness to defend was severely lacking.  Hopefully the other Postal turns up next week.