POSTAL ALC 0 - AUCHNAGATT BARRONS 4 - DIV 1 NORTH - WEBSTER PARK - SATURDAY 16TH SEP 2023

TEAM - 1. G.Cormack 2. S.Stuart 3. S.Wells 4. A.Baxter. 5. S.Carter 6. J.Steele 7. A.Clark 8. N.Willey 9. L.Melia 10. B.Webster 11. S.Abel 12. S.Cotovici 14. M.Hunter 15. R.Webster 16. M.Maciver

OPPOSITION MOTM – S.Abel

Postal welcomed Auchnagatt to Webster Park on a sunny mid-September Saturday afternoon. Raynard, Giulianotti and Frampton were missing from the previous game and Patterson was still suspended. Melia, Carter and new signing Wells started the game.

Postal gave Auchnagatt a scare in the first minute when a long Wells throw nearly allowed Melia in on goal. From the resulting corner, Steele tried to play it to the edge of the area but it was easily intercepted before Clark could get to it.

Two minutes later, Wells game away a free kick on the edge of the box. An away player went just wide with his header from the free kick into the box. Lucky for whoever was(n’t) marking him.

On 13 minutes, Melia laid the ball into the path of Stewart but his shot went over the bar.

On 28 minutes a really good passing move down the Postal right saw a great ball delivered to the back post but Abels shot lacked any power and the keeper easily saved.

A fairly even half but Postal would argue they possibly edged it in terms of chances.

HALF TIME – POSTAL ALC 0 – Auchnagatt 0

The first half performance wasn’t vintage but it wasn’t too bad. The second half, however, was a disaster.

It started well though. In the first minute a great run into the box by Abel. He laid it into the path of Willey but his shot lacked any power and was easily saved low at the front post by the keeper.

A minute later and Postal were punished. An Auchnagatt player went by Stewart like he wasn’t there on the Postal right. He cut the ball back into the path of an unmarked striker who slammed home through the gloves of Cormack. 0-1.

8 minutes later and the away side doubled their lead. A corner was sent in from the Postal right. Melia lost his man who duly headed into the back of the net. 0-2.

Postal huffed and puffed but they created very little from here on in. The Auchnagatt centre half dominated Melia and the other two forwards didn’t do too much from the wide positions to assist.

The away side put the game to bed on 25 minutes. Postal were actually on the attack when Auchnagatt countered with a simple ball over the top. Cormack delayed coming off his line. When he did come out he fresh-air swiped at the ball leaving the striker the easy task of rolling the ball into the net. Individual error no:3. 0-3.

5 minutes later and it was 0-4. Postal lost the ball on their left hand side. It was crossed low into the six yard box. Webster lost his man who knocked into the net.

Overall Postal have played worse and won this season but at least 3, maybe 4, individual errors today, mainly due to a lack of concentration, cost us the match.

Next up, St Marnans in the North of Scotland Cup in Aberchirder.