Westend 0 - Postal ALC 2 - Div 2 North - Shedocksley 8/4/2023

TEAM - 1. D.Cruickshank 2. A.Riddell 3. S.Carter 4. J.Cook 5. L.Giulianotti 6. M.Maciver 7. A.Clark 8. J.Steele 9. L.Melia 10. N.Wiley 11. A.Esson 12. M.Hunter 14. E.Martin 15. S.Cotovici 16. B.Webster 17. D.Aitken

OPPOSITION MOTM – J.Steele

On a sunny, dry day at Shedocksley, Postal lined up for the 4th time this season against Westend. Westend are struggling this season with no points to show for their efforts but to their credit, the young side always put in a shift.

Postal changed formation for the first time this season. Going 3-4-1-2 in the hope of playing more attacking than in recent weeks.

They had their first chance on 2 minutes. Great footwork by Wiley on the left saw him beat his man in the box and send in a low cross, across the face of goal. For some reason Cook and got himself into the box but he couldn’t quite connect at the back post.

On 11 minutes, good approach play from Postal saw the ball crossed into Clark waiting in the box, but with the goal gaping he blasted over the bar.

Postal took the lead on 24 minutes. More good work from Wiley on the left forced a corner and when the ball was swung in, Giulianotti, unconventionally, back healed a volley into the net. 0-1.

Westend had a half chance on 32 minutes when Riddell was dispossessed near the half way line. Luckily Carter was fast enough to cover up and do enough to put the forward off who eventually shot wide.

On 38 minutes, Postal missed a sitter. A long throw in from the Postal right into the box bounced to Maciver at the back post but with the goal wide open, his header lacked any power and the goaley easily saved.

HALF TIME – WESTEND 0 - POSTAL ALC – 1

The second half was as poor a half of football as you’ll watch this season. Really grim stuff from both teams.

Postal scored fairly early in the half when a throw in to Esson on the Postal right saw him send in a cross to Melia. The striker did well to compose himself and blast home. 0-2.

Apart from that, there wasn’t a great deal to write about.

Postal switched off on 36 minutes and Westend missed a sitter.

Riddell had a decent long range effort saved on 42 minutes but apart from that, not a lot of quality on show.

Overall, not the best Postal performance of the season, but result more important than performance at this stage of the season. The defence did well in a new formation, Esson worked hard, Giulianotti impressed before he had to go off injured and Steele was neat and tidy. Next up Halliburton at home.