Postal ALC 4 - Monymusk 1 - Div1 North - Sat 19th April - Webster Park

Following the disappointing defeat away from home to FC Polska, Postal welcomed Monymusk to Webster Park.  Postal had edged the last encounter at New Deer park with Monymusk showing real quality going forward so Postal expected a hard match.

The Postal management team changed the first team to freshen things up, Duncan Mackenzie dropped to the bench with an Achillies problem and Harry McAuley took the number 9 shirt.  Doug Russell come back into the first team following a great performance against Kintore.  Captain James Steele and Sultan Ahmed took their place in the starting line up and long serving Scott Stuart took the right back berth to complete the changes.

Team Selection:

Grant Cormack

Steven Carter

Euan Brechin

James Steele

Scott Stuart

Kieron Dowbekin

Alex Clark

Doug Russell

Harry McAuley

Steven Abel

Sultan Ahmed

Bench:

David Finch

Martin Maciver

Ali Macrae

Bruce Webster

Lee Scott

Phil Wallace

Duncan Mackenzie

Postal kicked off the match and almost immediately found themselves a goal down.  A Stuart throw up the line came up short, the Monymusk defender headed the ball onto number 9 who flicked through to number 10.  Controlling the ball number 10 then nutmegged Brechin before opening up his body and shooting towards goal.  Fortunate for Cormack the frame of the goal came to his rescue. 

On the 8th minute Postal would take the lead.  A Steele freekick was cleared by the Musk defender however failed to get any distance on the header as the ball looped in the air.  Carter was on hand at the back post to tower over his marker and lay the ball on a plate to Brechin who dispatched past the keeper.

1 – 0

Postal had started well and were creating chances playing good football and there seemed to be an abundance of energy in the side, however were almost caught out on the 12th min.  A Dowbekin back pass to Cormack was collected by the keeper and the ref awarded an indirect freekick some 8 yards out from the goal line.  Fortunately some resolute defending by Postal seen the ball blocked on the line and cleared.

Another scare for Postal on the 13th min.  A Musk corner was cleared by Steele however came off the back of number 6 head and went goal bound only to be cleared by Steele again.

15th Minute Steele cleared another corner this time falling to number 6 who seen his shot go over.

16th minute Postal should have doubled their lead.  Ahmed played through a great through ball that the Musk defender couldn’t deal with, the strong running Russell raced onto it however his shot was direct at the keeper.

On the 30th minute a great corner by Russell found Abel in the box unmarked however the header went wide of the target. 

Postal would increase their lead on the 32nd minute.  A Carter clearance went over the Musk defence and the strong running McAuley raced past their entire defence……with only the keeper to beat the tall striker steadied himself and slotted past the helpless keeper.  Great finish from McAuley who would prove to be too much for the Musk defence all day with his hold up play, runs and linking up with the runners from the Postal midfield.

2 – 0

Postal would see corners cleared on the 35th and 36th minute as they pushed for a third goal restricting Musk to long range efforts on goal were possible. 

On the 41st minute Postal almost made it 3.  McAuley laid the ball off to Ahmed, he took on a number of players before unleashing a shot bound for goal only for the away keeper to pull off a great save. 

The away side would finish the half well, having some guilt edge chances.  44th min following a Postal corner the ball was cleared up the field to number 6, standing alone he played the ball over Carter and the winger raced through on goal only to find Cormack fit the task.  Great save at a key moment in the match.

44th minute number 6 won the ball at a corner, flicked onto number 10 some 15 yards out however his shot was blocked on the line by a Postal defender. 

HT

2 – 0

Postal started the second half quite slow not able to get the flowing passing game going.

50th minute Brechin rolled the ball to Carter from a goal kick.  Postals number 3 fell over the ball then conceded a free kick which came to nothing. 

52nd minute a Monymusk free kick into the box was just out of range for number 12 to connect as the away side pushed for a goal.

54th minute Carter played a great ball up the Postal left, Ahmed took on one, then two men before shooting, seeing the ball go wide.

On the 60th minute Ahmed again picked up the ball on the Postal left, taking on 3 men before cutting back to McAuley 6 yards out.  Unfortunately Postals number 9 seen his strike go wide of the target with the pitch being blamed…….

61st min Dowbekin picked up the ball in the Monymusk half, jinked past 2 players before shooting for goal as Postal peppered the Musk goal. 

65th min Ahmed again breezed past 2 defenders however his shot again went wide.

65th min Wallace replaces Abel.

68th min McAuley plucks the ball out the air and slips a great through ball to Wallace.  Wallace gives the keeper the eyes and slots into his bottom right hand corner.  Great goal.

3 – 0

70th Min Postal ring the changes with McIver, MacKenzie, Macrae and Scott coming on for Dowbekin, Carter, McAuley and Russell. 

75th min Scott, plays a ball short into Wallace, intercepted 12 crosses and number 15 is alone at the back post to slam the ball home.

3 – 1

86th minute Postal break up the park.  Alone on the left Mackenzie crossed and Stuart is on hand to smash the ball high into the roof from 9 yards.  Great goal and no less than the right back deserved following a great performance. 

FT 4 -1

Great performance by Postal today.  Dominated and looked in control throughout.  Energetic performance with some great goals and excellent passing which had been missing in the games previous.  Excellent to see the team enjoying their football.

Substitutes Not Used – David Finch & Bruce Webster

MoM – Alex Clark