0-8: M4s vs Western 3s (WD1) - 16/09/23

After an early meet time at Auchenhowie and a solid warm up, the youthful Hillhead 4s were raring to get going against a Western 3 squad that won their opening game 7-0.

With the squad missing Alan Meikle, Andy Maclaine, Steven Harper and Stuart Caldow from the adult ranks, it saw first 4s appearances of the season for Dan Ebbatson, Alex Flockhart, Colin Gallagher and Al Mcgeoch.

The match started by the 4s going one nil down very early on but rallied quickly after to give a very structured and committed defensive performance. Most of the first half was spent nulifying Westerns' attack and if it wasn't for a number of brilliant saves, including a wonderful stick save, from Bryce Forbes in goal the 4s would have gone in to the break more than the 2-0 deficit it was.

In an attempt to cause Western some defensive issues, the decision was made to change tactic and although it did allow Hillhead to have more options on the break, a very clinical Western squad took almost every chances they had. Again without Bryce in goal it could have been many more. Bryce was incredibly unfortunate not to save a harsh penalty stroke but ended the game with a triple save applauded by both squads and supporters alike.

Some great individual skill and team movement lead to the 4's most clear cut chance with a great pass from Harry Watson picking out Dan Ebbatson in the D. Considering he had not been tested during the game the opposition keeper was very quickly off his line to smother Dan's shot at goal. In the end tiredness and a little inexperience kicked in as Western continued to take their chances and the game finished 8-0.

An 8-0 defeat is usually a weekend buzzkill. However, despite the goals and chances for Western, the young lads never gave up and gave it 100% until the final whistle which for a young development squad is a fantastic trait to see and left an 8-0 defeat without the usual bitter taste it would.

Man of the match for some fantastic saves keeping the scoreline down was Bryce Forbes. We go again!