A Son of the Rock

Glebe Park, 29/8/09

Pretty even first half with Brechin maybe having slightly more of the play but not much in it.

The first goal was one of those that happens when you’re at the bottom of the league and nothing is going for you (it reminded me of our first against Elgin way back in May:) the ball looped up off Ben Gordon’s block and over the keeper’s head.#

31/8/09 Edited to add: I’ve just seen from Sons TV it was Chris Smith’s attempted block.

The equaliser was a peach, a Mick Dunlop bullet header from a driven corner.

At least we didn’t lose a goal straight after equalising, only ten minutes. I didn’t get too clear a view of Brechin’s second but the ball broke to their player who was able to sweep it in.

Then Brechin’s keeper dropped the ball at Roddy Hunter’s feet but he couldn’t poke it past the defender on the line. This was followed by a fantastic Ross Clark free kick just saved by the keeper before half time.

We dominated the second half. I lost count of opportunities, chances, half-chances we should have put away. Prominently, Ben Gordon unluckily hit the post (and McLaughlin should not have skied the rebound,) Carcary with the keeper stranded should have squared it to Hunter instead of side-netting it; but the prize goes to Scott Chaplain for missing the sitter of a header that would have made it 2-2 and removed the need for Mick Dunlop to move up front as we chased the game.

The penalty may or may not have been – I was at the other end – but it sums up our season so far.

In general the referee was good, though, and officiated sensibly throughout. This is so unusual it merits comment.

Three points thrown away. With that second half display we should have won this.

Two main failings, then. We can’t defend and we can’t put the ball in the net. 108 goals against is still on.

Having said that, our new Czech goalkeeper actually didn’t have that much to do. At least, in the second half, he stopped punching the ball and clutched it instead. Maybe Chappie had had a word.

Two home games coming up. Things better turn round soon.