[Report by D Kavanagh]
The Accies entertained the unbeaten Ecclesfield on a blustery night that threatened to spoil what could have been a nice showcase of over 35’s football between 2 teams that are capable of getting the ball down and playing some good football.
The match got off to a poor start for the Accies as they struggled to get hold of the ball in the early exchanges. Ecclesfeld put a couple of balls over the top which Ryan especially dealt with well but the away team looked dangerous. On ten minutes they took the lead as another ball over the top was fielded by Reedy but mis-communication between him and Gosney led to a weak back-pass which the Ecclesfield forward gobbled up and slotted past the keeper and into the net. This was the wake-up call that Accies needed and they forced the issue with a good move down the right channel with Swifty back-heeling into the path of Dan Kav who was fouled as he advanced toward the box. Kav whipped the ball in and the ball was taken off Jamie’s head at the far post by their centre midfielder at the last second.
Daz was making some good running down the right and Swifty and Jamie up front were getting plenty of the ball in the swirling conditions. Despite this Ecclesfield could have scored again as another ball over the top was well saved by Gosney with his legs. Again the game swung down the other end as Shay put Dan through in the right channel, he cut back inside and delivered another dangerous ball into the box which again was nicked off Jamie’s foot by the same midfielder who was tracking back well. Matt G was working hard in the middle and he splayed another ball to the left side where Tim put Dan through and his cross was blocked for a corner. Dan curled in a good ball with wind assistance which the keeper tipped onto the bar. With about half an hour gone Swifty held the ball up nicely from a good pass from Tim and played the ball to Matt G, their midfielder got a toe to it and it span up into the air where Dan Kav cut in and took it on his chest, advancing across field he reversed a pass to Daz who I think tried a one-two but the ball ran straight through as their defence stepped up to play offside. Daz just kept running and composed himself well to take it beyond the keeper and side-foot a lovely finish to even up the score.
Accies continued to press as Bondy came more into the game and striding forward he put Daz through down the right who won a corner. The ball was headed up and back toward Dan Kav who played a nice touch into Jamie’s feet and the resulting shot whistled just wide. The half drew to a close with the Accies having the better of it.
Half time 1-1
The second half was tough going against the wind. The crosses in from Ecclesfield were difficult to predict but the defence to a man were dealing with them very well. At the other end Jamie put Swifty through on the right side of the box and his powerful shot drew a good save from their keeper. The resulting corner was driven across by Dan Kav and everyone thought Jamie had scored with a bullet header but it went a fraction wide. A minute later Jamie but a great ball in from wide and their full back nearly headed it past his own keeper! Without scoring though the Accies were still vulnerable against the wind. Tim took a throw which bounced off Dan for a corner and Ecclesfield punished the error as the ball dropped right under the bar and smacked Reedy in the face and went in. a hammer blow.
It was an uphill struggle now and it proved difficult to get the ball forward in the wind. Despite having possession Ecclesfield didn’t really threaten and Gosney only had one save to make.
In fact the Accies looked more likely to score. Bondy strode forward again and played a one-two with Matt G then put Swifty though with a nice pass, again the keeper batted it out for a corner. It was all in vain as the wind continued to pick up and the game came to an end with Ecclesfield jubilant as champions and the Accies feeling they desereved a draw at the least.
Full time 1-2
