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Ta Ta
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I went to the England v Scotland Semi pro game today. Following this 2-0 defeat and the defeat against champions Wales (score unknown), we didn't go home empty handed - we collected a prize which was both wooden and spoon-shaped.
It was a miserable, drizzly day at Kettering. Crowd was about 600. English team all looked about 6 inches taller than their Scottish counterparts. However, what the lads lacked in stature, they made up for in commitment.
First half was pretty even. Some neat football from both sides. Scotland played with one man in the centre up front, Phillip O'Neill, Lothian Thistle with Michael Stephen, Fraserburgh playing wide. Too often the midfield weren't quick enough in getting up in support, leaving the front 2 isolated.
Scotland should have had a penalty when a shot after a corner was clearly blocked by an English arm. Our best chance was also from corner when it was flicked on at the near post and headed just wide at the back post. England looked dangerous from a succession of corners just before halftime but it was 0-0 at the break.
Scotland started the second half well but, as usual, got caught on the counter, after 50 minutes when Wormull got free and crossed for Stewart Drummond(maybe!) to tap in. Scotland continued to press and amongst a flurry of substitutions, Scott Hunter, Whitehill Welfare put a cracking shot in from 20 yards which the keeper did well to save then he just got to the rebound before O'Neil. Generally, Scotland were doing most of the pressing without looking terribly dangerous. Stephen had a chance when English keeper had to come out of his box to clear and kicked the ball straight to him 35 yards out on the touchline but his shot lacked power. Amazingly enough, the same thing happened at the other end but the shot was well defended by our big, er defender.
Scotland had a shot cleared off their goalline before Weatherstone made it 2-0 after a shot was deflected to him from a free kick. Scotland had just made a substitution and were caught cold. Scotland number 3 and captain had a shot well saved then, in the last minute, we got a free kick on the edge of the box which was charged down.
Like the Ireland game, Scotland played well but just lacked that cutting edge. Stephen played well on the left and the policy seemed to be to get the ball to him as much as possible. I was also impressed by Ian Murray of Deveronvale, younger brother of Scott Murray of Bristol City who was a feisty but skillful 5 foot nothing right-sided midfield player. Highlight of the match was probably the wee man squaring up to his English counterpart who must have been a good foot taller.
The defence looked ok though a bit slow at times. We must have done OK as the man of the match was the English goalkeeper.
Apologies to players I didn't name as I missed the team announcements ( I swear it kicked off early!) and my knowledge was based on substitutions, scorers(sadly none for us) and from what the players shouted to each other although I couldn't find anybody listed as tosspot or wankstain in the programme.
The Welsh team was mostly from their national league, the Republic of Ireland team was from the 2 Irish national leagues and the English team was mostly from the Nationwide conference where the teams are of a decent standard and many players are either fulltime or as good as. In the 2 games I saw, our guys from the Highland and East of Scotland leagues did well against what were always going to be stronger opponents and played a lot of decent football without being rewarded. Well done lads.
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Ta Ta
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Total Posts: 28 | Joined Feb. 2002 | Posted on: 9:44 pm on May 18, 2002 | IP
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Ta Ta
Fresh ideas |
Since I posted my report, I found an official report on the Non-league paper website:-
http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=4154&start_from=0
also for the Wales game which we lost 2-1 - a goal!!!
http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=4128&start_from=0
and Ireland
http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=4095&start_from=60
For those who don't know, the non-league paper is a weekly newspaper which gives extensive coverage of the non-league scene in England. And maybe Wales.
Cheers
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Ta Ta
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Total Posts: 28 | Joined Feb. 2002 | Posted on: 10:02 pm on May 18, 2002 | IP
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Sermani
Fresh ideas |
Four of us travelled down on Friday for this game. Six hour drive. Thought there might have been a bigger Scotland support since Corby is supposed to be "Little Scotland". Locals tell us they are all "Plastic Scots". Plenty of drink then spent the first twenty minutes trying to muster up an atmosphere but the four of us gave up.
Well done to the Scots team who gave up a weeks work,and several Sundays, for the honour of playing for their country.
Hopefully this will become an annual tournament hosted by each of the four Nations.
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Order, Order,we rule the Border !
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Total Posts: 6 | Joined May 2002 | Posted on: 3:25 pm on May 20, 2002 | IP
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Semi-Professional Four Nation Tournament
