Cove Thistle 2 - Postal ALC 1 - Div 1 North - Webster Park - Sat 8th Feb 2025

Postal travelled to take on Cove Thistle at Catto park which would see the away side play their first match of 2025.  The two sides have met 3 times already this season with Postal winning the first encounter in the league cup and Cove taking the spoils in the league encounter alongside the most recent fixture, a 6 nil win in the North of Scotland Cup.  Cove are unbeaten in the league this year so Postal knew a tough encounter was at hand.

Postal had a squad of 17 available for todays game which seen a first start for new signing Phillip Wallace.  Postal also welcomed back Doug Russell to the first team after a long lay off with injury. 

Team Selection:

Grant Cormack

Bruce Webster

James Steele

Adam Veitch

Peter Frampton

Kieron Dowbekin

Doug Russell

Phillip Wallace

Alex Clarke

Steven Abel

Sultan Ahmed

Bench:

Scott Stuart

Martin Mciver

Sergiu Cotovici

Duncan MacKenzie

Duncan Paterson

David Finch

Cove kicked off the encounter shooting up the slope. The pitch was heavy under foot so domination of the ball would be key. 

On the 1st Minute captain Steele gave away a free kick that came to nothing for the home side. 

On the 10th minute the Postal midfield gave the ball away and the Cove number 9 raced through on goal, shooting just wide after slipping the ball under the onrushing Cormack.  An early warning for Postal.

In truth no one truly dominated the game in the early period, both teams fought for possession in the middle of the park with Postal perhaps a little rusty in the final third when in possession of the ball.

On the 20th min a long throw into the box seen captain Steele fouled, with the ref waving play on it appeared that Adam Veitch slam dunked the ball NBA style however the ref again waved play on.  Straight from the incident Wallace broke forward playing the ball into Ahmed however the move broke down.

On 22 min a moment of real class from Dowbekin picking the ball up inside the Cove half and spraying a ball into the strong running Wallace, who on receipt of the ball couldn’t find his first touch and the ball went into the keepers hands. 

23rd min Veitch gave away a foul just outside the box however Cormack saved well from the strike. Veitch was booked for the challenge.

On the 25th min Frampton booked for a foul on the Cove winger.

Postal would concede the games first goal on the 35th min.  A James Steele ball into Russell seen the winger attempt to flick the ball into the centre of the field.  Cove picked the ball up and advanced spraying the ball out to the right winger who feed in number 9.  Unmarked, number 9 raced in on goal and this time converted, slipping the ball under the advancing Cormack.  Poor ball retention and marking from Postal.

40th minute Dowbekin fouls the Cove number 9 who seen his free kick come to nothing.  41 min Wallace has a shot from the edge of the box deflected out.

Postal were sure they had equalised on 43 min.  Steele collected the ball and slipped it into the feet of Dowbekin in the middle of the park, who in turn sprayed it out to Abel on the Postal right.  Driving down the line Abel fired the ball into the feet of Ahmed who 17 yards from goal blazed over the bar. 

HT

Postal management spoke about starting the game well in the second half, with a little belief the team were playing well enough to take something from the game.

46 min number 9 again found himself alone on the left of the Postal defence.  He took the ball down from a diagonal ball, shook off Frampton and slotted the ball home.  Poor marking against a player with real quality on such a heavy pitch.

2 – 0

65min Doug Russell and Peter Frampton made way for Duncan Mac and Scott Stuart as Postal looked to freshen up the team. 

On 70 min Phil Wallace again had a shot from the edge of the box deflected out for a corner.

72 min Duncan Paterson replaced Sultan Ahmed.

74 min Cove were reduced to 10 men.

0n the 75min Postal pulled one back.  A cross into the box seen Dowbekin pick the ball up on the Postal left, feed Phillip Wallace who seen his shot deflected into the feet of Duncan Mac, who spun and slammed the ball into the net.

2 – 1

All Postal now, Cove would look to hit on the break.  On 80 min a poor Postal clearance went straight to the feet of number 9, driving to the line his cross had no takers in the box.

86 min Scott Stuart had a long range effort saved as Postal pushed for another goal.

88 min Postal won a free kick at the edge of the box.  Clarke stepped up and struck the ball off the bottom of the post with the Cove keeper well beaten.

90 min Scott Stuart blazed a shot high and wide.

92 min Duncan Mackenzie slipped the ball to Phillip Wallace after some great hold up play.  Phillip smashed the ball low and hard into the corner of the ball however the cove keeper pulled off an excellent save.

FT

MOM – James Steele

Subs not used – David Finch, Martin Maciver

Overall a great display against the champions elect.  Postal showed great character throughout and a real team spirit.  Sloppy goals to give away however really unlucky not to take something from the game.