Third 'Keeper Lucky

Petershill v Ayr United U19s
Friendly, Tommy McGrane Cup, Third Place Play-Off
Sunday 19th July 2009, kick-off 12pm
Showpark, East Kilbride

I returned to Showpark for the second day on the trot to view the losers affair between Petershill and the Ayr United youngsters. The Peasy lost out 4-1 to a strong Alloa Athletic side in a physical encounter whilst the young Honest Men were taught a lesson by the EK Jags, losing out 3-0 in wet conditions. Up for grabs this early afternoon was a third placed finish and the dreaded wooden spoon in the Tommy McGrane Cup. Inflation was rife as I went for the same hot-dog and Irn-Bru combination from the previous day, £2.50 yesterday, now £3! Confused? I was. Not to worry though, you could get an alcoholic beverage from the club bar, even before 12.30pm on a Sunday!

Hot-dog and Bru in hand the match began and the youngsters were taking the game to their senior opposition. Both sides had made several changes from the day before with the Peasy fielding several trialists, one of which was ex-Queen's 'keeper Scott Murray. Unfortunately for him it was to be a short outing ending with him being stretchered off injured. He raced out to close down Jonathan Tiffoney and managed to force him wide, then went over in a heap. Similar to the incident in an Everton v West Ham United game when Paulo Di Canio caught the ball because the goalkeeper being down injured, instead of heading into the open goal, although in this instance young Tiffoney played on and hit the crossbar. Off went Murray and without a substitute 'keeper the Peasy played a member of their coaching staff between the sticks.

Half-time came, and the cheerleaders were on yet again but sadly, or thankfully, their routine was cut short as the players were out early to continue the action. Another change in goals for Peasy, a strange one, substitute Ayr United U19s goalie who played in yesterdays match had changed allegiance. The deadlock was finally broken by the dodgy haired sub left-back for Petershill, he headed in from barely a yard after a corner kick. The lead didn't last long as the kids his straight back, a strong run by their no.9 who out muscled the Peasy defender and beat the (should that be, his own?) 'keeper.

The floodgates had finally opened, thankfully not in the weather sense this time, as a lofted ball over the Honest Men's defence fell to the Peasy frontman who hooked the ball into the right corner to restore their lead. Credit to the youngsters who didn't drop their heads, a few substitutes then they got what they deserved. A whipped in free-kick saw their goalscorer hit the upright with a close range header, it then fell kindly to their ginger haired central midfielder who tapped in the open goal. The match finished two apiece and the wooden spoon would be settled by a penalty shoot-out. Which Ayr 'keeper would be the hero?

A bizarre scenario then, Peasy converted their first penalty then it was a save each. Penalties were converted up until the sudden-death stage, then one more each. Peasy converted again, then finally the Ayr sub 'keeper tipped one round the post to win the tie for Peasy. The full shoot-out can be viewed below. Petershill will now continue their preparations for their Super Premier League campaign and the Ayr kids will have learnt a lot ahead of another season a youth level.

My photos from the weekend can be found here, and the YouTube video of the penalty shoot-out here.

Result: Petershill 2-2 Ayr United U19s, Petershill won 6-5 on penalties

Line-ups
Petershill: unknown
Ayr United U19s: unknown

Goalscorer(s)
Petershill: unknown
Ayr United U19s: unknown

Attendance: unknown

From Celtic Park To Showpark

Alloa Athletic v Petershill
Friendly, Tommy McGrane Cup, Semi-Final
Saturday 18th July 2009, kick-off 3.30pm
Showpark, East Kilbride

The second match of the Tommy McGrane Cup was welcomed by a downpour of rain. A similar crowd to the previous match of around one-hundred, mostly under the sheltered stand, was there to see the Wasps take on Peasy. Allan Maitland had brought a full-strength team and was hopeful of continuing a good pre-season that has already seen his side win the Keyline Cup up in Oban. A few familiar faces in both sides, with ex-Spiders Adam Coakley playing as a trialist upfront for the Wasps and Michael Keenan in the Peasy midfield. Petershill also had ex-Stranraer defender James McKinstry in their line-up, there tends to be some form of 'entertainment' when he's around.

Alloa started the better of the two sides in the tricky conditions and it wasn't long until they took the lead. Adam Coakley swivelled and hit a half volley into the bottom corner, something he didn't do enough of for my liking in a Queen's jersey, although he did score against Celtic in the Scottish Cup. From Celtic Park to Showpark, very different surroundings. Peasy began to grow into the half as it progressed and were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, which was converted (below) to level the scores at one apiece. It remained that way into the half-time interval and the cheerleaders were out again to entertain us.

The second-half started and a female fan behind me opted to use a bin as a seat, prepared with her snacks she made herself at home, judging by her appearance it may have been, nonetheless it was bizarre. Wasps assistant James Ward continued as he did last season with his constant bickering at the officials, I'm convinced that this man eats, drinks and dreams about fouls. Thankfully the referee gave as good as he was receiving and said he'd start booking players if that's what he wanted, but there was no need in a friendly game, it was all physical yet fair.

The Wasps were beginning to pin the Peasy defence back and were finally rewarded, the ball was cut back to Hugh Kerr who took a touch and volleyed in. He was to become to man of the moment when he doubled their lead minutes later, Scott Agnew's drilled effort was cleared off the line by James McKinstry but Kerr followed up finding the bottom right corner. Further misery for Peasy and McKinstry soon followed in the final minute as he was caught in possession. Brian Carrigan was played through on goal, his first scuffed effort was saved but he coolly volleyed in at the second attempt.

That was to be the final action of the game and helped confirm the fixtures for the following day. Petershill and Ayr United U19s will now go head-to-head at noon with the final between hosts East Kilbride Thistle and Alloa Athletic kicking off at half three. Unfortunately I couldn't make it along to St. Andrews for Queen's Park's friendly with Arbroath, which finished 1-1 (report on Un-official website), but I enjoyed the festival of football at the Showpark ground. A few photo's can be found here and a youtube link to the penalty video. The Alloa Athletic website also has a small report with photos.

Result: Alloa Athletic 4-1 Petershill

Line-ups
Alloa Athletic: unknown
Petershill: unknown

Goalscorer(s)
Alloa Athletic: Adam Coakley, Hugh Kerr (2) and Brian Carrigan
Petershill: unknown (pen)

Attendance: unknown