Cumbernauld Colts 3 - 2 Blantyre Victoria
Colts Scorers: Stephen O'Neill (26', Pen - 56'), Alexander Foy (82')
Vics Scorers: Sam MacKenzie (53'), Liam McLaughlin (65')
The Vics travelled to the Broadwood Stadium to face their second Lowland League side of preseason, Cumbernauld Colts.
Blantyre started the game well with two consecutive chances from corners, Nad Zeb came the closest with his headed effort which went just wide of the post. Then 17 minutes in Gavin Millar was very unlucky as he closed down the Cumbernauld goalkeeper, he managed to get a block in but unfortunately for the Vics winger the ball pinged off him and went out for a goal-kick.
25 minutes in the homeside won a free-kick in the Vics half. With the kick being taken from over thirty yards out, the Vics only appointed 3 members of the team to make up the wall. Stephen O’Neill’s effort from distance tucked into the inside of the side netting leaving Vics keeper Liam Campbell bemused.
The Colts really should have made it two when a through all cut right through the heart of the Vics defensive line and found the Cumbernauld centre forward. He took his shot while turning his body towards goal and would have been very disappointed to have seen it skew wide.
Ten minutes before the end of the half Simon Eeles has a chance for Blantyre as a loose ball fell on the edge of the Colts box, he charged towards the ball to meet it and he connected with it well but his powerful strike was superbly blocked.
Half-Time: Colts 1-0 Vics
The Vics started the second half confidently and with the addition of Sam MacKenzie to the attacking line at the break their seemed to be much more opportunities to break down Cumbernauld.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute. An excellent looping cross from Dale Jones which he took from inside the penalty box. His floated ball beat the keeper and reached the far post where Sam MacKenzie was waiting to head it home.
Just a couple minutes later the Vics conceded a penalty which seem slightly harsh. In the aftermath Dale Jones was carded, however there was much surprise when it was the red card which was brandished - even the referee, who soon corrected his error and changed the card colour to yellow. Stephen O’Neill stepped up yet again and sent Liam Campbell the wrong way.
It was less than ten minutes later that the Vics managed to get themselves back on level terms. A cross this time from trialist Jay Blair on the right flank. The Cumbernauld keeper named the ball as his and seemed to have it under control, but he missed the ball completely and another Vics trialist Liam McLaughlin found himself on the end of the cross and finished it off from close range.
Blantyre had chances to take the lead through MacDonald and MacKenzie but it was the Colts who got the next goal. With 8 minutes left on the clock Alexander found himself with possession in the Vics penalty area, he fired it into Campbell’s net with relative ease.
Lewis MacDonald had a glorious chance to give the Vics a third equaliser but he didn’t make a good connection with the ball and the opportunity went.
A solid performance from the Vics despite the result which didn’t totally reflect the match. A result would have been fair but Cumbernauld Colts took their chances well in their final preseason friendly before the Lowland League begins next week.
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