Winton Murdoch Cup Final
1st Half - Moorcroft BC 0 Johnstone Burgh BC 0
2nd Half - Moorcroft BC 0 Johnstone Burgh BC 3
GoalScorers
MoM
1st Half - Moorcroft BC 0 Johnstone Burgh BC 0
Venue: Keanie Park, JohnstoneThe wet conditions didn't damper the spirit of both teams but there was very little in the way of clear-cut chances in the first half. This was testament to both defenses playing well and both goalkeepers looked sharp when called into action when required.
Little in the way of opportunity on goal but the Burgh did manage to get the ball in the back of the net when a header from Paul McCormick sent Steven Wright through on goal which he duly dispatched by calmly slotting the ball past the oncoming keeper but the referee disallowed the goal for offside.
Both midfield's nullified one another out as they battled for every ball, the burgh struggling to get the ball on the deck and open the play out as is their normal game play - some heroic challenges and tireless running from John McLister definitely kept the burgh midfield from being over-run...
Both sides went into the changing rooms at half-time very evenly matched and everything to play for in the second-half... Back to top
2nd Half - Moorcroft BC 0 Johnstone Burgh BC 3
The second half produced better football from both teams and with the heavy conditions beginning to take its toll on the players, the game started to open up and forwards found some space for the first time in the match?Moorcroft this time finding the back of the net but again the goal was disallowed.The break-through came after 52mins with the introduction of William McGarroch, who I believe must have been a magician in another life, as he was the player who conjured the little bit of magic that split the Moorcroft defense to give Mark Priess a shot on goal from wide left approx 8 yards out ? his powerful drive was unstoppable even with the defender heroically throwing him self in front of the shot ? a slight deflection of the defender before the ball hit the back of the net but I?m sure Mark will be claiming that one !
With the goal came confidence and the Burgh began to look more of a threat now going forward, the second goal came from a free-kick wide on the left, Chris McLaughlin sending an excellent cross ball to the back post, Mark Priess rising above the Moorcroft defense to powerfully header the ball from close range past the goalkeeper?2-0
70mins gone and Chris McLaughlin comes close with a well executed shot from distance which the Moorcroft keeper does well to save, Mark Priess coming close to his hat-trick from the rebound?
A minute later and Sean McInally meets the ball beautifully from a corner kick to head powerfully on goal, the defender on the line does magnificently to stop it from going in?
The third came in extra time (82mins) with inspirational captain Chris McLaughlin found some energy from somewhere to run at the defense, beating one defender before drawing a rash tackle from the second defender in the box to get a penalty. Chris duly dispatched the ball low past the keeper to conclude a well fought out victory over a very competent Moorcroft side.
Although Mark Priess was named man of the match (Burgh) and very worthy of it, it was a great team effort that ensured victory with every Burgh player applying themselves with 100% effort - that is the spirit that wins these games ? well done to the whole team on a magnificent effort to win the Winton Murdoch Cup 2007 ! Back to top