Midlands League 19/11/2024 @ New Beechwood
The Midlands League campaign continued this evening at Beechwood with a Lochee derby as winter announced itself on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening.
Both of these sides have been in decent form of late with Lochee Utd securing a good win over Montrose Roselea at the weekend and Harp going into this evening’s contest on the back of three straight wins.
Harp looked keen from the outset snapping at Lochee’s heels and trying to upset the visitors’ rhythm but it was the Bluebells who threatened first with Callum Lamb driving towards goal off the right and picking out George Johnston whose shot was deflected wide.
Harp looked to counter-punch with a good move down the right through Elliott Tosh with Ewan Murray called upon to make an important block in the Lochee goalmouth.
But Lochee soon began to up the ante carving out some good quality opportunities. First Callum Lamb set up Ryan Paterson in the box with his shot smothered wide. Then it was Paterson’s turn to commit the keeper and cross for Kerr Hay who headed over the bar with the goal gaping.
But as Lochee continued to finely calibrate their artillery on the Harp goal it was no surprise when they finally hit their mark. A great ball into space down the right gave Ryan Paterson something to chase and he slid the ball through for Kerr Hay who fired a low angled shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner to put Lochee 1-0 up.
Lochee were now starting to find their passing groove and looked to pin Harp back into their own half and Callum Lamb forced a terrific one-handed save from a powerful shot.
The second goal arrived soon enough though and it was all about Kerr Hay taking matters into his own hands. Picking up possession 30 yards out he waved his team-mates out of the way before driving into the box and lashing the ball into the top corner from an improbable angle to double Lochee’s lead.
And on the stroke of half-time it was so nearly three as Lamb broke down the right and slipped a clever ball in behind the Harp defence for Paterson whose shot thundered off the crossbar and away to safety.
2-0 at half-time with Lochee comfortably the better side and perhaps even guilty of being a bit wasteful in front of goal.
The one way traffic continued in the second half with Paterson once again looking busy high up the park, winning a free-kick at the edge of the box and clipping a set-piece effort off the post.
Kerr Hay then stole possession 30 yards out and slipped the ball through to George Johnston whose shot was well saved from close range.
It was clear though that Lochee were intent on killing the game off and they did so in spectacular style when Ryan Paterson once again bought a free-kick 25 yards out and stepped up himself to crash home a fabulous direct effort that moved wickedly through the air and put Lochee 3-0 up.
And the victory was complete ten minutes from the end when George Johnston robbed the Harp defence as they tried to play out from a goal kick and whilst his first effort was parried he knocked home the rebound to make it 4-0.
That was all she wrote as Lochee ran out deserved winners on an evening when the tally could quite easily have been more.
There were numerous candidates for Man of the Match this evening. Calvin Colquhoun put in an assured display at centre-half and his presence always seems to exude calm throughout the team. Callum Moore was different class once again with his highly effective combination of athleticism and finesse. But tonight’s award goes to Callum Lamb – deployed in a slightly unfamiliar wider role this evening he caused all manner of problems driving directly at the Harp defence and was the architect of our best moves tonight.
Finally, a word of appreciation to both sets of players, officials and spectators for coming along and getting involved in sub-zero temperatures tonight – you were all a credit to local junior football.
Next up is an exciting away tie in the Scottish Junior Cup at Troon on Saturday.
As always – COME ON THE CHEE!!!
