Postal ALC 3 - Theologians 3 - Webster Park - League - 21/8/2021.

TEAM - 1. R.Laing 2. A.Riddell 3. S.Clark 4. J.Black 5. B.Patterson 6. M.Hunter 7. S.Ure 8. R.Lamb 9. L.Mewse 10. S.Stuart 11. N.Cain 12. P.Coutts 14. G.Davidson 15. S.Cotovici 16. I.Bruce

OPPOSITION MOTM – S.Stuart

Someone once said football is a “funny old game”. If that’s the case, then 2nd Division AAFA football must be the, “Live at the Apollo” of funny old games. None more so than todays encounter between Postal and Theologians.

Postal have not had their injuries to seek this season and today was no different. Today saw Insch (elbow) and Dowbekin (knee) added to the injury list from last week. Carter was also missing due to work commitments. Scott Stuart, Nairn Cain and Liam Mewse came into the starting eleven as replacements.

Postal dominated the opening 20 minutes of the match. In fact they dominated more than any match they have started, in 2021. Perhaps this led to the slackness which was apparent later in the game. Perhaps they thought the game was too easy.

1 minute into the game and Postal had their first chance. A Stuart corner was fired in low, Ure (playing in midfield today) flicked it on with his foot at the front post but it was cleared off the line.

A minute later and Postal were forcing the pressure, this time it was Clark breaking from the defence who fired in a long range effort but it sailed over the bar from 20 yards out.

On ten minutes Postal were given their first little scare (which was unfortunately going to turn into a nightmare later in the half). A simple enough looking ball over the top of the Postal defence, who were far too high and flat, on the Postal left saw keeper Laing run out of goal to clear. He got there too late, though, and fouled the forward just outside the box. Lucky to only get a booking. Luckily for Postal the free kick came to nothing.

On 13 minutes, with Postal still dominating play a long throw from Clark on the left was met by Ure. He spun and got a looping shot away which hit the bar. Stuart missed the follow up.

As can often happen in amateur football, if you don’t take your chances it can quickly come back to haunt you. Theologians broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Their number 8 was allowed to run unchallenged from the midfield with the Postal midfield posed missing. He took a nice one/two and found himself one on one with Laing. Laing made a good initial save to keep him out but it broke back to 8’s feet and he dispatched the rebound unchallenged by the static Postal defence. 0-1.

A setback, but surely Postal would get an equaliser soon given their dominance……………..

On 24 minutes a nice through ball from Lamb into the path of Cain saw the forward get his shot away from 8 yards out but it was well blocked by a Theos defender.

5 minutes later and Stewart was next to be through on goal after another ball into his path by Lamb. The ball wouldn’t sit down though and it was cleared before he could get a shot away.

31 minutes into the game and Theos doubled their lead. Laing again ran out to clear another through ball over the top of the defence but got the striker first, again. This time inside the box. Clear pen which was dispatched low to the keepers left. 0-2.

Postal now clearly rattled and wondering how they were two nil down after being all over the opposition, failed to keep their composure and regroup. They gave away the killer third goal a minute later. Not learning any lessons from their previous two disasters, another long ball over the top of a defence with an average height of about 7 feet. Keeper ran off his line again, got nowhere near the ball, as it was easily lifted over his head and into the goal. 0-3.

Postal also hit the bar from a Stuart free kick and had various half chances from corners during the first half.

A first half where Postal could, and should, have scored 4 or 5 saw them walk off at half time 3 down. Amateur football.

HALF TIME – POSTAL ALC 0 – THEOLOGIANS 3

Some frank discussions on the sideline at half time as Postal tried to sort out what was going wrong.

A minute into the second half saw Black head towards goal from a corner but the keeper did well to save.

3 minutes into the half and Postal were given a lifeline. Hunter picked up a throw-in from Clark and strode into the box unchallenged for a one on one with the keeper which he did well to keep his composure and slide under his body to score. 1-3.

Direct from kick off and Postal doubled their tally. This time it was Ure who picked up the ball after Hunter won a tackle direct from the centre. He ran into the box and sent a low shot into the corner of the keepers left hand side. Game on again. 2-3.

Postal assistant Bruce was sent away from the sidelines 15 minutes into the half for a comment made to the referee about a dropped ball. A bit of an overreaction from the referee to be honest who was having a good game up till that point.

Much like the first half, Postal dominated open play and this half looked a lot more comfortable at the back, but it wasn’t until the 23rd minute of the half until they got a deserved equaliser. Stuart sent in a low cross from the Postal right and it found substitute, Greig Davidson waiting to guide his shot home. The large crowd which has been watching Postal this season rom up the hill must have enjoyed it because the cheer could be heard in the nearby housing estate. 3-3.

Postal went for broke with 15 to go when they sent on Cotovici to go 4 up top, taking off defender Black.

Cotovici must have thought he’d scored when he got his head to a cross but it was saved.

Mewse had a great scissor kick effort near the end of the match which would have surely been the best winner ever seen at Webster Park but it unfortunately, for Postal, hit the post and away to safety.

The match ended 3-3.

Overall, the overriding feeling is that of gut wrenching disappointment. A definite missed opportunity, today, and a dropped two points because of ten minutes of first half madness. That said, a great comeback from Postal today showing brilliant character from this young team who could have easily rolled over and died at half time. Lessons to be learned, but given the 75% domination of the game, we wont throw the baby out with the bath water.