POSTAL A.L.C. 3 - HR NICOLLS 0

Following a summer of transition, Postal have endured a challenging start to pre-season. With promotion from Division 2 to Division 1 secured, the squad is well aware that improvements will be needed to meet the demands of the league.

HR Nicolls were the visitors to Webster Park this afternoon as they looked to begin their campaign positively following relegation from the premier division last season. With several new additions to the squad alongside a strong core of retained players, they arrived determined to bounce back. It promised to be a stern test for the boys this afternoon.

Postal lined up with a 4-3-3

Starting 11

1. Connor Graham

2. Andrew Riddell

3. Bruce Webster

4. Joe Wadley

5. Matthew Hamilton

6. James Steele

7. Scott Stuart

8. Murray Hunter

9. Harry Mcauley

10. Phil Wallace

11. Arran Walker

Substitutes

12. Fletcher Stewart

13. Blair Gauld

14. Mark Robb

15. Craig Mackie

16. Robbie Simmons

17. Ross Webster

18. Adam Veitch

It was the visitors who threatened first. Inside the opening minute, Nicolls’ number six delivered a dangerous cross that just evaded the onrushing winger before Postal began to settle into the contest.

Postal quickly created opportunities of our own. A dangerous delivery from Riddell found McAuley, whose header drifted wide, before Wallace fired over after Websters cross caused problems inside the Nicolls penalty area.

Nicolls came close to taking the lead in the fourth minute when a long-range effort struck the crossbar, but Graham reacted well to safely gather the rebound. The visitors continued to pose a threat, although Postal’s defence remained organised throughout the early exchanges.

Wallace was heavily involved in attack, winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area after another late challenge from Nicolls’ number eight. His resulting effort was blocked by the wall before further dangerous deliveries from Riddell continued to test the visitors’ defence.

The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute. Another outstanding cross from Riddell found Wadley, who guided a looping header beyond the goalkeeper to give Postal a deserved 1-0 lead.

Postal 1-0 HR Nicolls Joe Wadley (11 mins)

Postal didn’t stop there and looked dangerous whenever they attacked. McAuley’s energetic pressing forced a mistake in the Nicolls defence midway through the first half, but the goalkeeper reacted well to save at his feet. Walker also combined neatly with Steele before Wadley’s deflected effort went behind, while Hunter glanced a Stuart cross narrowly wide.

Nicolls nearly equalised on 22 minutes when Graham misjudged a long ball that bounced over him and struck the post. However, the Postal goalkeeper recovered brilliantly to deny the onrushing striker from close range, preserving the postal lead.

As half-time approached, Graham comfortably held a long-range effort before Postal survived another scare. A handball on the edge of the box presented Nicolls with a dangerous free-kick, but the strike cannoned off the post before Webster completed the clearance.

Postal almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Excellent work from McAuley down the right produced a dangerous cross, and Walker’s acrobatic scissor-kick appeared destined for the bottom corner until a Nicolls defender made a superb goal-line clearance.

Half-Time: Postal 1-0 HR Nicolls

Postal went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead after an entertaining first half. We created the better chances and were rewarded in the 11th minute when Wadley headed home from another dangerous Riddell cross. HR Nicolls did threaten on several occasions, striking the post twice and hitting the crossbar, but the postal defended resolutely.

Second half kicks off

Nicolls started the second half brightly, but Graham remained assured, comfortably collecting several crosses and dealing confidently with anything delivered into his area.

Postal continued to create chances through McAuley and Wallace, while Stuart was forced off through injury after a nasty clash with the Nicolls goalkeeper in the 56th minute, making way for Stewart. The collision between Stuart and the goalkeeper resulted in Stuart waiting 7 hours in A&E with a slightly punctured lung and a broken rib. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.

The defining moment of the second half almost arrived just before the hour mark when Hunter unleashed a spectacular 30-yard strike that crashed off the underside of the crossbar. Postal players appealed that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee waved play on.

After absorbing some Nicolls pressure, including a dangerous cross that Riddell cleared at the back post, Postal doubled their advantage in the 75th minute. Steele’s well-delivered corner caused problems in the penalty area, and Hunter reacted quickest with a clever flick that nestled into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

Postal 2-0 HR Nicolls Hunter (75 mins)

Postal continued to threaten. Webster’s inviting cross narrowly evaded McAuley at the back post before the striker later forced another corner after beating his defender. At the other end, Walker produced an outstanding goal-line clearance to deny Nicolls after an excellent move down the right.

Late substitutions saw Mackie replace Wadley and Gauld come on for goalscorer Hunter as Postal looked to see the game out.

Walker nearly produced the goal of the afternoon in the 89th minute, beating three defenders before striking the post with a superb solo effort.

Postal sealed the victory in the 90th minute. Hamilton’s perfectly weighted ball over the top released McAuley, who showed great composure to race through on goal and calmly slot beyond the advancing goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and round off an excellent afternoon for Postal.

It didn’t stop there as McAuley almost added a fourth in stoppage time, once again breaking in behind the defence, but the Nicolls goalkeeper produced another excellent save to prevent further damage.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3-0 victory for Postal.

Full-Time: Postal 3-0 HR Nicolls

Postal controlled the second half and added further goals through Hunter and McAuley to secure a convincing 3-0 victory. Graham produced several important saves to preserve the clean sheet, while strong performances across the pitch ensured the hosts saw the game out comfortably. It was also a memorable afternoon for Graham, Wadley, Hamilton, Walker, Gauld and Stewart, who all made their competitive debuts for the club as Postal opened the campaign with an impressive all-round display.

MOTM - Harry McAuley

Well deserved as the big striker was very influential in the way Postal played all afternoon. He was a constant pain for the HR Nicolls defence all afternoon with some great hold up play. He rounded off an excellent afternoon for himself and the with a calm and composed finish.