POSTAL ALC 2 - BEACON RANGERS 5 - WEBSTER PARK - DIV 1 NORTH - 27TH AUG 23

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

OPPOSITION MOTM – Bruce Webster

Another sunny day at Webster Park saw Postal welcome Beacon Rangers to Kingswells. Postal made a couple of changes with Carter coming into right back and Stuart on the right up top.

Postal were given a warning on only 3 minutes. The ball was sent in behind the Postal defence on the left hand side. The cross across the six yard box eventually being managed to get cleared. Lucky escape.

Only two minutes later they would concede. Giulianotti was dispossessed after trying to be too fancy on the ball just outside his area, subsequent pass into the forward was slotted home into the keepers right hand corner. 0-1.

On 11 minutes Beacon doubled their lead after another gift from Postal. Cross into the box was dropped by keeper Walker and nodded home into the net. 0-2.

On 19 minutes Postal pulled one back. Melia was tripped running into the Beacon box. He got up and slammed the free kick into the keeper’s right hand post. 1-2.

This should have got Postal going, but to be fair, they were physically second to most balls as Beacon dominated they contest, were failing to win the first header and nowhere near the subsequent midfield runners into the box onto the second ball.

In other words, Beacon were putting more effort into the game and getting their rewards without playing breathtaking football.

On 30 minutes Postal should have equalised against the run of play. A terrific switch of play from Stuart played Webster in one-on-one with the Beacon goaley. Unfortunately he blazed over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Poor composure from someone who should be capable of better in that position……………..he wouldn’t be the last today.

Two minutes later and Postal were duly punished for their wastefulness. Beacon player collected the ball on the edge of the box, pulled it back to side step the lazy defending from Postal and got his shot away. The keeper could only parry it into the path of a waiting Beacon player who said, “thank you very much” before prodding home. 1-3.

As per Wednesday night, Postal now lost concentration, and sold the crucial 4th just three minutes later. Carter gave away a cheap free kick right on the edge of the box. The Beacon player stepped up and sent an unstoppable shot directly into the keepers left hand corner. One of the best free kicks you’ll see this season. 1-4.

Postal had a great chance to pull one back just before half time when a cross from Carter saw Scott Stuart with only the keeper to beat from about 6 yards out. He fluffed his shot and let Beacon off the hook.

HALF TIME – POSTAL ALC 1 – BEACON 4

Some strong words at half time, but Postal weren’t much better second half, although they did manage to keep the scoring down.

4 minutes into the second half they showed their vulnerabilities at the back as they were given at least 5 chances to either pass out or clear their lines and failed to do so which almost resulted in a 5th but for the efforts of Walker who made a very good save over the bar.

On 14 minutes, a long throw was nodded down by Melia. Steele ran onto the knockdown but the keeper saved easily.

Two minutes later and another sitter missed by Postal. This time Carter at the back post with only the keeper to beat he blasted over the bar. The ball was found some time later that night near the TESCO in Westhill. Very poor shooting.

On 30 minutes, Cormack (on for the injured Walker in goal) made a really good save after a Collie deflection looked like it would give Beacon another.

On 35 minutes it was Abel’s turn to miss a sitter when a great ball across the face of the Beacon 6 yard box was met by the forward only to be hit over the bar again with the goal gaping. Postal’s 4th sitter of the game.

On 38 minutes it was Hunter’s turn to be dispossessed just outside his own area. As he turned and stared at the ground rather than sprinting to get the ball back, the Beacon forward made no mistake and bombed into the box to hammer past Cormack. 1-5.

Abel cored a consolation goal on 40 minutes at the back post after a Steele shot was saved. 2-5.

Overall, this felt like a sore one today. More than the Newburgh, or the AC Mill Inn defeats, because it felt like we rolled over and got bullied. Our usual effort was not apparent today, at all, against a side who, battled for 90 minutes. Add to that, the gifts we gave them and the chances we spurned, it’ll sting till we can hopefully get it out of our system on Saturday.