4-3: M1s vs Inverleith (Premiership) - 19/02/22

It was a sunny but chilly day in Glasgow, a later push back is in the diary, no opportunity for a Greggs breakfast in the car. The Crossword had been purchased and we were on our way back to Mary Erskine for some redemption.

10 Across, an American two laned roadway – 4,11. The boys know getting the first crossword clue always suggests good omens. Dual Carriageway, and the boys are getting excited. I would reference more crossword clues from the day, but the page is currently being used for the cat litter.

We arrived at MES without a minute to spare, Ewan Campbell GK AKA “Fine Master General” is always on the lookout to add to the tardy toll.

Pre-match preparations starts with a fire alarm every 30 seconds in the changing room, not a word of the tactics were heard. Iain Hilton is at the wrong pitch and Yan is nowhere to be seen….The alarm goes off again……

We hit the turf for a warm up, it ain’t Windyedge but it ain’t Garscube. Sun is shining but the pitch wouldn’t out of place at a Torvell and Dean highlight reel but nonetheless we were ready to dance.

New strips are on, Inverleith must have thought it was a Hibs Goalkeeper training camp, we didn’t care, we were ready. The team started slow and Inverleith took their chance, a lucky goal at one side and then an umpiring decision at the other, a P Flick surely?!! Not given.

The game goes on and the 1-0 deficit doesn’t change, but its getting tenser, Hillhead in the D, a foot? Not given…

Half Time. 1-0 Inverleith….I think.

It’s getting slippier, people falling left, right and centre.

Inverleith get an unexpected ball in the D, Ewan Campbell GK comes out, gets the ball, but also the man, P Flick!! 2-0.

“These are the worst two umpires I have ever seen” – Man about to get Green card – Feb 2022

Another goal from Inverleith, reverse hit finds the back of the net. 3-0.

A sudden change in the air, Hillhead are on the attack, in the D…short corner given…….. Fraser steps up, ball to injector blocked, but is fumbled towards Fraser, first time reverse, probably, no definitely going wide…… deflected towards goal from Carder… 3-1 …..the 3rd quarter ends.

Start of the 4th, Hillhead looking confident, energetic, attacks coming in fast. Ball finds Murray up the line, he turns, only option is the reverse pass, pin point (but slightly bobbly) lands to Jimmy, doesn’t even look. Bang, reverse top bins, celebrates, then stops, returns to collect the ball, we go again. 3-2.

Hillhead ramping it up, another attack, in the D, short given…..Fraser makes no mistake this time and drags it on target and the Indoor champions can’t block it, back of the net it goes. 3-3.

We wouldn’t, would we.

Scrappy next ten mins, Hillhead want it, Inverleith don’t. Attacks go in the D, Inverleith get it away. We are back in, last ditch tackle, they get it away. We are back in yet again, Inverleith don’t get it away, short given.

Slip left, toward back post, p spot misses it…..Blackie doesn’t….rolls it across the line. Hillhead 4 Inverleith 3.

Final Whistle. 3 Points.
DoD: Matt Carder