Postal ALC 3 - Monymusk 4 - AFC Trophy - Webster Park - 30th September 2023

TEAM - 1. S.Walker 2. S.Carter 3. N.Willey 4. L.Giulianotti. 5. T.Raynard 6. J.Steele 7. A.Clark 8. M.Hunter 9. P.Frampton 10. S.Abel 11. B.Webster 12. R.Webster 14. M.Maciver 15. S.Cotovici 16. G.Cormack

OPPOSITION MOTM – N/A

Cracking day for a cup game and high flying Monymusk came to Webster Park in the AFC Trophy. The pitch, which we have worked hard on over the last couple of years wasn't in good condition with the grass ankle deep in many places but same for both teams.

The game started at a frantic pace with neither team getting a foot on the ball.

In one passage in the first 5 minute there was 11 headers back and forth between defences without anyone having the thought to take it down and try to play. A sign of things to come for Postal. We did make chances, though, and in 7 minutes good play down the left resulted in Peter Frampton getting through on the goalkeeper. He took on the difficult shot rather than squaring for Bruce Webster who looked to have a tap in. Poor decision.

Frampton made amends in 12 minutes when good pressing in the middle resulted in Alex getting free down the right. A good low cross left peter with a tap in. 1-0.

Monymusk didn't take this lying down though and in 17 minutes they broke down the left-hand side. The forward got through on Walker, in goal, although looked offside, but out goalie made a great save.

5 minutes later it was Shaun to the rescue again making three saves in quick succession where Monymusk really should have scored. One from point blank range was a great stop. Postal were on the ropes and things got worse when a fairly innocent looking clash between Travis Raynard and the centre forward resulted in him needing to come off after complaining of dizzy feeling. No chance being taken.

Against the run of play Postal doubled their lead when another good press in the middle resulted in Peter Frampton getting his shot away which the goalie saved only for Bruce Webster to put in the rebound from 15 yards. Nice finish 2-0.

Postal should have put the game to bed in 35 minutes when, again against the flow of the game, Bruce Webster got free on the right and swung a great cross in. Peter Frampton was 2 yards out but managed to miss the header. Bad Miss!

We were made to pay when just before half time a high looping free kick into the back post area was completely missed my Walker and the Monymusk centre forward was left with the easiest tap in. Shame for Shaun who'd made several great stops but the joy on being a goalkeeper. 2-1.

HALF TIME – POSTAL ALC 2 – MONYMUSK 1

The message at half time was beware Monymusk having their tails up and put more intensity into our passing play. Neither happened unfortunately. On 50 minutes really poor defending in the box, where we missed 3 or 4 chances to clear our lines, resulted in the Monymusk player lashing the ball into the net. 2-2.

A minute later and the Monymusk player skipped past Murray Hunter like he wasn't there and slid it across for the same player as scored the second to get Monymusk in front. Poor defending again. 2-3

On the hour and Postal finally strung a few passes together. This resulted in Peter getting clear but a good tackle stopped him from having a clear-cut chance. It didn't result in a change of fortune though as Monymusk were the team on top and Postal couldn't get going at all.

On 65 minutes Steeler was adjudged to take down the forward who again had ghosted past players like they were statues. It looked maybe a little soft as he seemed to be the right side to make a tackle but Monymuk didn't care and smashed home to give a lead their play had deserved. 2-4

73 minutes and Postal, who hadn't really rallied since going down, thought they had got themselves back in the game. From a corner the ball bounced around in the box for it to be forced over the line. The referee ruled the goal offside which seemed a real strange call with so many Monymusk defenders on the goal line. Sore one to take. This spurred a wee bit of life into Postal who had went with four right up top but only managed to huff and puff without dominating or creating loads of chances. In 86 minutes again good pressing forced the Monymusk defender into a mistake and Murray Hunter turned and finished into the top corner. 3-4.

Grandstand finish on the cards now....no not really. Didn't really make another clear-cut chance and the game finished in defeat.

Opportunity to progress in the cup missed. This game proved we need to be right up for every game because Monymusk came looking for a first division scalp and got just that through being hungrier. We need to earn the right to play our football through doing the ugly part of the game 100% and this was lacking today. Anyway we move on and look to improve this wee bad run of form we are in.