POSTAL ALC 3 - FC Polska 2 - AAFA Div2 - WEBSTER PARK - SAT 25th OCT

Postal succumbed to FC Polska last year in the Edmond Trophy, losing 3 – 2 away from home.  Postal were aware of the task at hand if they wanted to claim all 3 points and continue with the winning run against a high scoring Polska side.

Given the circumstances in the weather the pitch was inspected at 9am and deemed playable, kick off at 2pm the conditions had continued and the pitch was extremely heavy with some surface water starting to pool which would result in a challenging afternoon for both teams. 

Postal lined up as below:

1. Grant Cormack

2. Bruce Webster 

3. Vinnie Buggie

4. Euan Brechin

5. Luca Giulianotti

6. Keiron Dowbekin

7. Steven Abel

8. Alex Clark 

9. Harry McAuley  (S) (Y)

10. Phil Wallace (S)

11. Sultan Ahmed

Bench: 

12. Andreas Jones (S)

13. Fraser Smith

14. Duncan MacKenzie (S)

15. Robbie Simmons

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First Half

Postal set the tone right from kick-off. Within the opening minute Luca threaded a sharp ball into Phil, whose clever flick found Harry — the striker firing just over the bar as the hosts signalled their intent.

Phil was involved again on 4 minutes, driving forward and shooting narrowly wide before Abel tested the goalkeeper with a strike from the edge of the box in the 7th minute. Postal were in full control, and the breakthrough arrived moments later: Abel’s corner caused chaos, the keeper punching it into his own net under pressure as Postal took a deserved 1–0 lead.

Confidence was flowing. A sweeping move on 12 minutes saw Brechin feed Harry, who laid it off to Phil to send Sully through, but the finish drifted high and wide.

However, Polska still posed a threat — a long throw in the 16th minute led to a header that Grant had to palm away. Straight down the other end, Phil brilliantly robbed a midfielder and slid a pass to Abel on the left. Racing toward the FC Polska goal, Abel took one touch to set himself, and a sublime curling finish put Postal 2–0 ahead. A sensational goal.

But Polska found a lifeline. First a free-kick hit the wall after Dowbekin was adjudged to have fouled number 15, but in the 20th minute a clever piece of play in midfield allowed their No.15 to stand up a cross and a late-arriving runner steered it home. 2–1, game back on.

Harry almost restored the cushion instantly, winning a foot race to goal on 24 minutes — but his heavy touch let the keeper gather. He came even closer on 37 minutes, a bouncing ball sitting up invitingly, only for his volley to flash wide.

Postal were left to rue those chances when Polska equalised on 39 minutes. Another long throw, Postal couldn’t clear, and the No.15 turned sharply and fired in. Grant got something on it but couldn’t keep it out. 2–2 at the break.

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Second Half

Postal came out with purpose. Luca released Sully one-on-one within a minute of the restart, but the keeper saved well. Then Phil almost produced a wonder strike from the halfway line — his audacious effort dipping just over.

The second half became a tense battle, Harry picking up a booking on 65 minutes, and chances remained at a premium. From a 70th-minute corner Phil found Bruce, whose shot went wide, before Harry won a free-kick outside the box on 72 minutes. Phil stepped up and delivered a stunning finish — bending the strike into the top corner to restore the Postal lead in style. 3–2.  At the present moment any dead ball situations in or around the box are as good as a penalty to Wallace.

Polska pushed hard late on. Luca made a crucial tackle as No.15 looked clean through at the 80-minute mark. Grant was called into action again from a free-kick on 81 minutes and stood strong.

Deep into stoppage time, hearts were in mouths as Dowbekin was penalised for a late challenge in the area. No.15 stepped up to equalise — but Grant saved brilliantly, a huge moment in the match and the sideline went crazy in celebration.

And even after that drama, there was time for more controversy: Sully burst through in the 94th minute, the keeper’s tackle appearing to wipe him out — but no penalty was given, to the disbelief of the home supporters.

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Full-time: Postal ALC 3 – 2 FC Polska

Great fighting display in difficult conditions as Postal keep up their winning ways.

Goals:

Abel (9’), Abel (16’), Phil (72’)

MOM – Sultan Ahmed

Booked – Harry McAuley

Red Card – N/A