Lossiemouth FC
Match Reports - 23-Oct-2004
- Lossiemouth v Inverurie Locos
Scot-Ads Highland League
Report by Jimmy Shaker -
Lossiemouth 1 Inverurie Locos 3
Lossie were undone in the second half by three quick goals from a Locos team who are now looking at home in the top three of the Scot-Ads Highland League. The only goal of the first half gave the home side a 1-0 lead going into the second period, but Lossie were undone in a brief period which saw a missed penalty, a sending off, and Locos turn a 1-0 deficit into a comfortable looking victory.
Lossie started well, taking the game to Locos, and in the fourth minute, a Gary Youngson free-kick was headed out for a corner. The resulting corner saw Shalliker lash a volley just wide from a few yards out.
Locos were also quick out of the blocks, and they found themselves being able to progress quickly through the centre of the pitch, only to be stopped by Hendry, who was on duty at centre half for the day. The game was played largely in the centre of the park, with both teams having plenty of the ball, and creating chances with it.
Lossie took the lead in 27 minutes through a Darren SHALLIKER free kick from 25 yards. The Locos keeper was still lining up his wall when the big number 10 swung his left foot at the ball and sent past the half-finished wall and into the net.
Inverurie went on to prove they were still in the game, with Dunn having to be quick off the mark to make a save at his near post. Ross rapped the ball against the bar 36 minutes in, and you could feel that Locos were getting closer to an equaliser which probably would have been deserved. It was not to arrive in the first half, however, and Lossie held on until the break.
HALF TIME – Lossiemouth 1 Inverurie Locos 0
The second half was dominated by two penalty decisions, one for either side. Locos were awarded a spot kick in the 49th minute by the referee after Gary Youngson hauled down Craig Ross. Just as the kick was about to be taken, the referee took the time to have a word with his linesman, who managed to change the referees mind, and a goal kick was awarded to Lossie, to the dismay of the travelling support.
Lossie continued to play a part in the game, being careful not to be overrun by their title-chasing opponents. Shalliker saw a free-kick saved well by Coull, and Lossie looked confident.
In the 60th minute, a spirited move down the right saw Lee Moir clear to run into the box looking to set up Scott for a shot at goal. While in the process of passing the ball, Moir was fouled inside the box and, despite the ball ending up in the goal, Lossie were awarded a penalty. With the chance to put Locos further behind and maybe edge Lossie out of sight, Shalliker stepped up but could only watch in dismay as his spot-kick flew over the bar and some way down Inchbroom Avenue.
Less than a minute after, Scott was sent off for his second booking in a minute, both for kicking the ball away. From a match winning position, Lossie were now going to have to fight to hold on, and sure enough, Locos equalised soon after. A scramble in the Lossie box saw the ball fall clear to COULL, who tapped the ball home to level things up.
Having equalised, it was inevitable that Locos would take the lead, and they did shortly after. A pass from the middle of the park appeared to be heading out of play until it hit Ellis in the chest and bounced into the path of TAYLOR, who sent the ball past Dunn and ensured the points were heading east.
Inverurie found time for a third with 10 minutes to go, when Stuart MCKAY rounded a misplaced Dunn on the edge of his box to score.
Lossiemouth again showed they can compete over a period of time with the clubs at the top of the league, but need to stretch it out to a full 90 minutes. We are taking longer to concede the first goal than in earlier games, but aren't finishing as strongly as we start. Discipline will also need to be considered, as a moment of madness cost Lossie a player in a game that, up until Inveruries third goal, was never completely out of Lossiemouths reach.
FULL TIME – Lossiemouth 1 Inverurie Locos 3
Team – Dunn, Grigor, Sim, Youngson, McIntosh, McMullan, Ellis, Moir, Scott, Shalliker, Hendry
Scorers – Shalliker (29)
Booked – Sim (28), Scott (64)
Sent Off - Scott (65)
Subs Used – Caufield (McIntosh 60), Forde (Caufield 80)
Subs Not Used – Thompson, Noble