St Marnans 1 - Postal A.L.C. 0
Postal travelled out to Aberchirder to take on St Marnans. St Marnans have been a well established Division 1 club who are extremely strong at home so Postal were under no illusion of how hard a test this would be. A depleted squad travelled and lined up as below:
Connor Graham
Murray Hunter
Bruce Webster
Andrew Riddell
Matthew Hamilton
James Steele
Fletcher Stewart
Luca Giulianotti
Harry MacAuley
Harley Stewart
Aaran Walker
Bench:
Robbie Simmons
Fraser Smith
Vinnie Buggie
Duncan MacKenzie
Fletcher Stewart
Postal started brightly, with Riddell delivering a dangerous free kick in the opening minute, although nobody could get on the end of it.
Just two minutes later, Walker produced some excellent work down the flank, delivering a cross for Harley Stewart to bring under control. Harley's subsequent effort was blocked and went behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Walker rose highest but could only head wide.
St Marnans threatened for the first time in the 11th minute when a long ball caught the Postal defence out. The ball dropped to their number 11 on the left, but his effort drifted wide.
Postal responded immediately. In the 12th minute, Walker found MacAuley, who spun away from his man before unleashing a powerful effort from around 25 yards. The St Marnans goalkeeper did brilliantly to tip the shot over the bar.
However, just two minutes later, St Marnans took the lead. Another long ball over the top found their number 9, who raced through on goal before shooting from distance. The effort appeared to be heading straight into Grahams hands, but a bounce caught the Postal goalkeeper out and the ball ended up in the net.
1 – 0
Postal continued to look for a response. In the 19th minute, the ball was played up to H. Stewart, who laid it off nicely to Steele, but his effort went narrowly wide.
St Marnans won a corner in the 24th minute after Giulianotti was forced to clear, although Postal dealt comfortably with the resulting set piece.
Macauley and Walker then combined beautifully in the 31st minute, exchanging passes before walker let fly from 25 yards. Once again, the St Marnans goalkeeper produced an excellent save, tipping the ball around the post.
The hosts almost threatened again four minutes later after Hammy played the ball into Fletcher, who was dispossessed. The ball fell to number 11, who broke into the box and cut the ball back, but their number 9 could only fire wide.
Postal produced arguably their best opportunity of the first half in the 40th minute. Walker was involved again, producing some great play before finding Fletcher out wide. Fletcher delivered an excellent ball into the box, where Bruce Webster found himself just three yards from goal. Unfortunately, Bruce couldn't keep his effort down and blazed over.
Half-time: St Marnans 1–0 Postal ALC
Postal came out after the break determined to find an equaliser, but St Marnans immediately threatened from a corner in the 47th minute. Their number 5 met the delivery with a header which struck the post.
The hosts continued to create danger down the flank in the 53rd minute when number 11 worked his way along the line before cutting the ball back to number 8. His shot looked dangerous, but Giulianotti threw himself in the way to produce an important block.
Stewart was shown a yellow card in the 62nd minute after being fouled as the game became increasingly competitive.
Three minutes later came a huge moment. St Marnans' number 7 collected the ball and took on Giulianotti, with Giulianotti pulling him back inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot and awarded St Marnans a penalty.
Number 5 stepped up with the chance to double the hosts' advantage, but Connor had other ideas. The Postal goalkeeper stood tall and produced an excellent save to keep Postal in the game.
Postal pushed forward looking for the equaliser. In the 72nd minute, the ball was played into Walker, who cut inside before Macauley took over and fired an effort over the bar.
The final stages became increasingly frantic as Postal threw players forward.
In the 86th minute, Riddell made an important defensive intervention, clearing the ball off the St Marnans number 9. The ball then came back off the striker, forcing Connor into action. The Postal keeper spilled the ball, which subsequently struck the post before being cleared.
Two minutes later, Postal had another excellent opportunity. Macauley broke through on goal and found himself with a chance to level the scores, but the St Marnans goalkeeper stood up well and made the save.
Postal continued to press. In the 89th minute, Webster delivered another ball into the box and Macauley went for it with his feet rather than his head, with the chance ultimately coming to nothing.
St Marnans then almost sealed the game on the counter-attack. Their number 16 broke forward and delivered a cross to number 9, who was left free to shoot. Hunter produced a superb block to deny him, with the ball going out for a corner.
Despite a determined late push, Postal ALC couldn't find the goal their performance deserved, and St Marnans held on for a narrow victory.
Full-time: St Marnans 1–0 Postal ALC
It was a frustrating afternoon for Postal, who created enough opportunities to take something from the game.
Ultimately, the fine margins went against Postal, with St Marnans' fortunate first-half goal proving decisive. Postal will take plenty of positives from the performance, but will know that converting the chances created will be crucial in the games ahead.
MoM – Harry MacAuley
Goals – N/A
Booked – N/A
Red Card – N/A
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