Wed 8th August – Nithsdale Res. 0 Civil Service Strollers Res 1 (Jack Downie 68) – Att 15, No Away)
We don’t have a full set of Reserve players but with triallists all but 1 of the starting eleven were ‘real’ players. Jack Downie seems to have a knack for scoring well taken goals (3 Finishing 5 Long Shots). He is also a natural Carillero which may be interesting.
Thu 9th August – New signing!!!!
We welcome Kieran Balfour to the club after a successful trial spell. He follows the majority of our players by being fast and agile (13) and at 6″ 2′ he should have some presence even with a Strength of 3. 13 Passing, 12 Decisions and 10 Vision makes me think his future in our structure would be as a Support Advanced Playmaker, and he will be training as such. He seemingly hasn’t played first-team football yet but has been with Ayr and Rangers. Welcome Kieran!!
Sat 11th August 15:00 – Friendly v Jeanfield Swifts (A)
We travel to Perth to face now East of Scotland Premier Division Jeanfield ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanfield_Swifts_F.C. ) for a tune-up/keep sharp friendly before our 2nd league game next Saturday. I will start with the 4-2-3-1 Gegenpress as we are favourites, with the option to swap back to Control 4-1-4-1 at half time.
FT – Jeanfield 0 Strollers 7 (Andy Mair 13,36, Scott Clapperton 15, James Hainey pen 17,50 , Neil McVitie 45+1, 90) – Att 25 (6 Away)
A very nice showing, we were 3-0 up before 20 minutes, Jeanfield not helping themselves with Seb Farrell getting himself sent off for pulling Andy Mair back after only 12 minutes (maybe they think they are Sevilla) and Jeanfield had their backs to the wall and parked the bus – I know i’m using comprehensive highlights but I’ve never seen so many blocks in my life!!!
McVitie, Hainey and Mair all ended with a 9.4, somehow Donaldson finished with a 7.6 in goal with his 2 shots faced (1 handled, 1 parried), though he was 11 for 11 passes. Intersting McVitie as a BBM in the first half and BWM(S) at DM in the second half popped up with 15 crosses (3 complete), more than Andy Mair at AMR and only 1 less than Tom Kelly at WBR (Personalised instruction – Cross Less Often set). A very nice Saturday run-about.
The Ressies also had a game:
Lothian Thistle Res 4 (Graeme Smith 20,74,90+3, Dane Fisher 35) Strollers Res 5 (Andy Mykyta 8, pen 70, Paul Lyon og 56, Tom MacLean 64, Jack Downie 83) – Att 17 (No Away)
Jack Downie continues his scoring run in a ding-dong battle of a friendly. Graeme Smith batted his way to a hat-trick (South African Cricket reference) for Lothian but to no avail.
Tue 14th August – A loanee arrives
We welcome Chris (17, 5″ 9′) from Berwick on a season-long loan, having made 3 appearances for them in League 2 early this season (Betfred Cup). He will mainly be cover for AML and AMR, Winger on the left and Inside Forward on the right, with the ability to play just behind the striker as well. Nice 18 Determination coupled with good Acceleration, Balance, Natural Fitness, Stamina & Work Rate means he could really do a job for us this season. He is our 4th of 4 allowed loan signings. Welcome Chris!