Leith Athletic FC 2-2 Carluke Rovers FC (1st Team)

Details

Category: News

Created on Sunday, 29 July 2012 08:04

Our East of Scotland 1st Team contiuned their preperations for the new season, with a 2-2 draw with Carluke Rovers FC at Leith Links.

With both teams missing a number of players due to holidays and work commitments, it meant that both could give plenty of game time to the players who were available before their respective seasons start next weekend.

The home side started the quicker and created two or three chances in quick succession, before the visitors struck both the bar and the post.  Shortly after, we took the lead when a ball throught to Tulloch was squared across goal and Jack Combe (pictured) scored him trademark goal from inside the six-yard box.  Jack leaves us to go to a scholarship in America next weekend and this was his last game for the club until April/May.

We were then in the ascendancy and were causing the visitors all sorts of trouble down our left hand side with Boggie throwing in 2 or 3 cracking cross balls.  A few last ditch challenges by the Carluke centrebacks and a great save for the keeper kept the scoreline at 1-0.  Just before half-time, we should have doubled our lead when a great through ball from Smith found Tulloch.  All he had to do was square it to L. Thom who was one on one with the goalkeeper, but the ball was stuck under his foot and the moment passed.

Half Time: Leith Athletic FC 1-0 Carluke Rovers FC

At half-time, we made five changes, bringing on two trialists as well as two players from our under 19's (Sean MacPherson & Darren Gallgher) and Michael Lynch from our under 21's.  As such, it took us a while to get going in the 2nd half and as a result, the game was all square shortly after.  A move down the Carluke right seen a ball played across the box to the left winger.  The ball was then put back into the box, only to be half cleared, before Mark Haddow finished well on the half-volley.

The home side re-took the lead in the 64th minute after a good passing move down the left hand side seen a trialist go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and his shot over the keeper was tapped in by Boggie from 6 yards out.  With ten minutes to go, the game was all square after a stramash in the Leith box seen the ball turned home by Stewart Arnott.  The game finished with neither team able to increase their advantage, but both sides had a great work out with both teams trying to get the ball down and play.

Full Time: Leith Athletic FC 2-2 Carluke Rovers FC

Leith Athletic FC: Gordon, Tainsh, C. Barrie, Lowson, Trialist, Smith, Cairns, L. Thom, Tulloch, Combe, Boggie.  Subs: Trialist, M. Lynch, Gallagher, Macpherson, Trialist.

Managers' Thoughts:

"After the disappointing performance against Spartans on Thursday night, i asked the players to go out there yesterday and increase our work-rate as I felt that we didn't do enough when we lost possession of the ball.  We done this much better yesterday and whilst there's still a bit of work to do this week, I was pleased with our work ethic yesterday and our willingness to put ourselves on the line when it mattered.

We knocked the ball about really well in the first half and despite missing eight players yesterday, the guys who did play, done very well and have certainly given us some headaches ahead of next weekend vs. Grentna.  Kyle Boggie was excellent throughtout his time on the park and it looks like he's going to be a great addition to the squad, both on and off the park.

It was good to see players from our 19's and 21's getting some game time yesterday.  All three took a while to get used to the pace of the game, but once they settled, all three done very well and will hopefully feature some more as the season progresses and as we play some midweek friendly's.

Finally, I'd just like to wish Jack Combe all the very best from everyone at the club.  Jack leaves us next Saturday to travel to America on a Scholarship and he'll be a huge loss to the club.  In the 6 years that Jack has been at the club, he's scored more than 260 goals and won a number of trophies, including the Scottish Cup.  Knowing him as I do, its safe to say that he'll do extremely well over in America and the experience he'll gain over there will benefit him and Leith Athletic FC in the future".

Derek

Note:

Tuesday's friendly vs. Edinburgh University has been cancelled, due to the University being unable to field a team.  We have now arranged a game vs. Edinburgh City FC at Telford College Sports Ground on Tuesday, kicking off at 7:00pm.