Neil McVitie, brought in a free on 29th July has worked his way into the team. As he’s best as a BWM that’s what he’s been doing, to great effect, and with 7 league assists he tops the assist chart for the Strollers and is joint top with Declan Hughes of BSC Glasgow (Been out for 2 months and has another 2 months to go with a hip Injury) for the league as a whole. He is very solid, and at 29 should be solid for a good 3 years or so yet.
Before our massively important league game with BSC Glasgow we’ve had a few friendlies at reserve level.
We beat Leith Reserves 3-0 (Mackay & Joe Boyle with a brace) and lost 2-1 to the Youth Intake Candidate team (McCulloch for the Reserves). Now, I think I’ve got a bug as I can’t see the Intake in the Reserves and I’ve not got a Youth Team, so I’ve signed them all – hoping they don’t go into a black hole………….Panic over, they went in my Full Squad – now placed them in the reserves.
Now, to the biggest game of the season. Top v 2nd, 2 goals between us. League Rules states Goal Difference, Goals Scored then Results between teams. BSC have score 6 goals more, but we’ve let in 8 less so we are +2 currently. They’re unbeathen in 5 games, though their last 2 games v 4-5-1 haven’t been amazing against lowly opposition (0-0 Edinburgh Uni, 1-0 win v Dalbeattie Star, currently 2nd bottom and bottom respectively.
I’ll go with my control/press amalgamation to start with, but remembering how we broke down Dalbeattie with the Tiki Taka in the 2nd half that will be an option.
The usuals, with Mair & Barras on the left, Kelly & Faye on the right. Balanced. Lets do this!!!
HT Civil Service 0 BSC Glasgow 0
Almost #limbs in the 2nd minute, Cairney hitting the post from a free kick but aftewards BSC had the lion-share of the ball. Barras pulled up in the 30th minute with a foot injury, a real blow – Newall on and Mair/him swap positions. A good game so far, BSC having shots but from range, the Strollers having the possession. Tiki Taka it is for the 2nd half.
FT Civil Service 0 BSC Glasgow 0 Att 66 (4 Away)
Domination with no output – no more shots from BSC in the 2nd half but neither team had even a half-chance. Very tight at the top. 0-0 it finished.
The average positions are very interesting – Hainey up top isn’t being supported enough by Cairney – he’s far too deep for an AP, will be pushing him further plus telling him to shoot more often. Also note how deep BSC sat – A draw was obviously fine with them.
A massive result from Galashiels – East Kilbride losing 2-1 where a win would have them going top!! Nice one Gala! 3 games and its in our hands, though that Cumbernauld game last up is going to be really tough.
Sadly Chris Barras has twisted his ankle – out for 6 weeks to 2 months so I think that’s pretty much his season done – A real shame as he has come on the most out of the whole squad this season. Lets get into those playoffs to make sure we see him play for us again (I’ll try and get him again on loan, might be tough seeing as how he’s improved).
Next up is East Stirlingshire (bloody 4-5-1 again) away 2 weeks hence – lets get a cheeky friendly set up for Saturday 23rd and try the Control/Tiki Taka combo again. See you soon.