Postal ALC 2 - AC Mill-Inn Academy 2 - Div2 North - Webster Park - 4th March 2023

TEAM - 1. D.Cruickshank 2. M.Maciver 3. A.Baxter 4. A.Riddell 5. J.Cook 6. M.Hunter 7. A.Clark 8. N.Wiley 9. S.Cotovici 10. B.Webster 11. E.Martin 12. D.Aitken 14. C.Patterson 15. I.Bruce

OPPOSITION MOTM – A.Clark

Postal took on AC Mill Inn Academy for the second time this season and were given the advantage of playing at home again. The third league game will presumably be in Stonehaven.

The Postal squad was decimated today with injuries and no-shows. Recent signing Cook was given his first start of the season at centre back and was paired with Riddell who was pushed inside with Maciver coming in at right back.

Postal were awarded a free kick on 6 minutes just outside the box. Riddell stepped up to take the free kick but fired it over the bar.

4 minutes later, Academy took the lead. Simple free kick into the box, Hunter lost his man who scored high into the keepers right hand side. 0-1.

On 13 minutes Postal had a good chance to equalise. Some nice approach play down the Postal Left by Postal saw the ball crossed in behind the Academy defence at the back post. Clark was waiting unmarked but the missed the ball and it went out for a bye kick.

On 17 minutes, Cotovici had a good chance to score when the ball dropped to him in the 6 yard box. He sclaffed his shot though, and the keeper saved.

Postal were playing the better football but Academy were looking dangerous at set-pieces with Postal allowing the young Stonehaven side to dominate the aerial battle.

On 27 minutes Andy Baxter hit a decent shot from outside the box but the keeper did well to tip it over the bar.

On 39 minutes Martin had another chance to equalise. He did well to beat his man in the box on the left, worked inside but his shot went just over the bar.

HALF TIME – POSTAL ALC – 0 – AC Mill Inn Academy 1

Postal were handed a boost 30 second into the second half. Good approach play from Postal saw Clark drive towards the box. He was then kicked up in the air by a player already booked. The Academy player was rightly sent off. From the resulting free kick, Postal sent the ball frustratingly over the bar again.

Another moment of controversy 15 minutes into the half. Cotovici lost the ball in the middle of the park. He then sprinted back and fouled an Academy player just outside the box. Unfortunately for Postal the referee deemed it inside and gave a pen which was duly dispatched. 0-2.

5 minutes later and Postal were given a pen themselves after a defender had a kick out at Cotovici in the box. Riddell stepped up to dispatch it. 1-2. The defender was also sent off into the bargain to put Mill-Inn down to 9 men.

With 18 minutes to go, Postal equalised. Riddell sent a pass out wide to Baxter on the left. He cut inside and his shot from distance could only be palmed into the net by the keeper. 2-2.

Postal huffed and puffed for the remaining 15 minutes but a lack of imagination, too many high balls into the box and not nearly enough football on the floor allowed the 9 men to go back down the Stonehaven Road with a point.

Overall a very frustrating afternoon. Not nearly enough football on the deck from Postal today, falling right into the hands of the young team of giants. No question marks on the effort on show, but certainly a lack of inventiveness and quality football from Postal today. Pass marks for again coming back from behind and not giving up.