Dunfermline City took on Stirling Uni’s 2nd XI on Saturday 8th October. With Skipper Walker away on his holidays it was left to Adam Rintoul to inspire the team for this weeks challenge.
Bad start to the day – it was pissing it down – with everyone preferring to sit and wait until as close to game time as possible before entering out. For this weeks game Duncan Griffiths came into the squad in place of his son Allan – while Shirley Shipley came into the side to replace Walker. Ryan Green also returned to the line up.
Once the stand in skipper had let his disapproval known at the lack of keenness to get warmed up etc we did a little warm up. Surprisingly Rintoul was leading from the front as normally he is seen lagging to the rear during the warm up.
Both teams were ready to start – but where was Athol?! The City Umpiring Coach then came slumbering around the corner. Rintoul spotted him and gave a yell which seemed to spur Athol into more of a trot.
The game then started. With the changes in the personal in the team City were struggling to find there feet early on against a spritely University team. Too many moves were breaking down at the back and in midfield – the strikers barely saw the ball.
The lacklustre warm up was being continued in a lacklustre performance. City did have a couple of short corners in the early stages but nothing really came of them – while the keeper for Uni was appearing to be in the right place at the right time to make some fine saves.
The Uni took a deserved lead for their efforts midway though the first half with a goal from a well worked short corner routine which found its way past the helpless Tantonator in goal.
City didn’t have any real answers to this in the first half despite making positional changes time and time again. The only real chances outwith the short corners came from Jones who shot wide and Miller whose shot come cross went well wide and nowhere near Shipley.
Half time and heads were down as City were trailing one nil. Time for the stand in skipper Rintoul to make his thoughts heard.
Rintoul made changes to the line-up with Green moving up front with Miller moving back into midfield.
The second half got under way – and within minutes the half time team talk had worked its magic (We will give Tool a little bit of credit). Rintoul surged into the D within a few moments of the restart and whistled a shot past the keeper.
Shortly after Green put City ahead with a strike from the edge of the d and the turnaround was complete.
After this City continued to press – Green added a third after failing to play on in the d with advantage being played by umpire Paterson. A few minutes seemed to pass when Green finally realised all he had to do was push the ball into the empty goal – which he duely did with aplomb.
Another surging City attack led to green having the ball at the right side of the D with Miller at the top he dropped it back – Miller shot was deflected back out to the top of the D where skipper Tool whacked the ball into the goals.
With the game now petering out – City were awarded a penalty flick with moments to go. Edwards was shouting “let me take it” “Let me”…. But Rintoul did the skippers job – ran to the corner to retrieve the ball – brought it back to the spot and duely put it in the back of the net to the keeper’s right for his hat trick.
The game finished 5.1 to City. The Uni had certainly given City a fright with there first half performance and were deservedly in front – but the second half fight back gave City and overall deserved victory.
Performances of note – Tanton made some great saves in the City goal – Green looked to have more drive in the second half than he had in the first half – while Rintoul in the second half took matters into his own hands, the defensive line looked assured in the second half – unfortunately Mad Maxl got a sore one on the foot mid first half which left a gap at the back – but Edwards filled that well. (There’s no gap when Gareth’s around)
Not much more to say on this one, No cards were issued (Well done Neil), No tantrums were thrown after Rintoul’s initial one pre match.
Many thanks for our newest member Graeme Paterson for umpiring, and also to Mike and Athol umpiring a half each.
It was back to the Tav for this weeks delights of Sweet and Sour Pork – which was very nice – Full house as all the Uni guys came back for their one meal of the weekend.
Scorers: Rintoul x3; Green x2
No game next week with Ed Uni asking to rearrange so the next match for City is the much awaited re match in the Cup against Rottenrow – where it is hoped we can replicate last seasons 2.1 victory against them.