5-3: M2s vs Edinburgh Uni 3s (Regional 1) - 08/10/22

Edinburgh University require further education against Hillhead’s Freshers

With summer hastily banished to a memory and autumn well and truly taking grip with rain and wind making for a bleak week’s preparation, Hillhead 2nd XI were tasked win their third away trip in four league matches away to Edinburgh University 3rd XI.  A combination of injuries, availability an ill-timed 40th birthday celebration meant that the 2nd XI were decimated for their trip across the M* to the Capital.  Missing from the regular squad were Craig Hilton (Ones), Michael Sherry (Inj), Andrew McGucken (Family), Matt Wilson (Travel), Sincy (Ones), Hilty (Ones), Stew Cartmill (Work), Ally Deas (Inj) This list is not exhaustive but gives a flavour of the availability crisis the squad faced.  Undaunted by the notable absentees coach Ewan Campbell summoned his inner Alex Ferguson, calling up three Under 15, 4th XI players for the 2nd XI debuts.  With Hansenesque murmurs whispered but never spoken out loud, coach Campbell like his Manchester United idol also backed youth for the journey East.  Would he be proven right gambling with youth? Debuts for Murray Walker, Euan Speirs, Mac McGillivray and Daniel Sutherland alongside relatively new squad members Cameron Greenhalgh and Struan Hepburn whilst youthful did hint at a squad thrown together and unfamiliar.  The young team were supported by some younger and older experienced campaigners in the shape of Ben Graham and Ross Wilson denying in defence, Alan Meikle and Graeme Campbell marshalling the midfield and JLS and Coisty ask Muzza aka Murray McVicar framing the forward line.  In nets was the talented Welshman Ietsyn R-H.

To the match.  With Hillhead’s warm up shorter than the preceding introduction, the Glasgow men started the match well and controlled the opening exchanges.  With this share of possession came and went some really good chances, which were attacked with the fervour of a child unwrapping their first Christmas present but with the composure of a Tasmanian devil on speed.  Hillhead’s early dominance was long lasting with the students offering little in attack against Hillhead’s high line.  Hillhead finally broke the early stalemate with Graeme Campbell scoring with a drag flick at a penalty corner, won by Euan Speirs, coolly dispatching the ball in to the bottom left corner having sharpened up his shooting radar with a number of spurned chances prior.  Looking comfortable Hillhead then seemed to relax allowing Uni back into the match, with play much more open allowing the younger students to use their athleticism more.  The second quarter was a much closer affair but in truth Hillhead were still in complete control.  Despite this Hillhead hit the self destruct button albeit not helped by some decisions at key moments that went against them, ultimately resulting in the concession of two goals, courtesy of an open play scramble and well despatched drag flick from a corner.

HT Edin Uni 3s 2 – 1 Hillhead 2s

Coach Campbell sensing that the students were moving the ball from defence to attack too easily moved old boy Meikle into his accustomed left midfield comfort zone alongside Graeme Campbell.  The change was successful as Hillhead blew Uni away in the third quarter with goals for Murray McVicar, as he once again showed greater desire than his opponent and a poacher’s instinct to restore parity in a match which was heating up nicely.  Attack after attack came and went with  combination of misses and strong last ditch defending holding Hillhead at bay.  It was, however, a matter of when and not if the third goal would come such was the dominance of the Hillhead team.  Graeme Campbell added to a fine midfield performance with a beautifully taken reverse strike after a well worked corner routine. Hillhead were back in the lead and were energised for more goals to put the game beyond the students.  There was to be one more twist though with utter confusion as Uni’s Haaland look alike matching looks with technique to volley the ball off Hillhead’s baseline with his feet.  Fast forward twenty seconds and a very confused Hillhead were facing a totally unjust corner against them.  To add to the sense of injustice Uni played their part in the late drama, finishing well past a hapless Iestyn. 3-3 with 10 minutes to play.

Rather than crumble under the weight of expectation and the chasm of self-doubt and what ifs, Hillhead did what they do best and went all out attack.  Wave after wave of attack followed as they once again below their opponents away with fast and incisive passing.  Two further goals followed with Graeme Campbell smashing the ball into Murray McVicar’s knee and into the back of the net.  Credit to McVicar for his overly exuberant celebration thus selling the goal to the umpire and maintaining his reputation as the hungriest and most relentless striker at Hillhead.  A fifth goal came not long after with a well worked corner routine beautifully finished by JLS to seal a very satisfying and well fought victory for the league leaders.

Another win keeps the 100% record intact.  Next up for the 2nd XI are Inverleith at home on Saturday 22nd October.