Report

Saturday City travelled to Dalkeith High School to take on the Peebles, hoping to get back on track after the cup disappointment against Rottenrow the previous week.

City warmed up for what seemed like forever before the home team turned up.  When they did they only had 9 players – so it was agreed to wait 15 minutes to give the latecomer’s time to arrive.  Unfortunately for Peebles one of the missing members was still in his bed and wasn’t going to make it – so they were limited to 10 players for the majority of the game.

The lack of organisation from the opposition – left City feeling a tad frustrated as they were keen to get the game underway.  The game eventually started with Peebles and their 9 men.  City also had a threadbare squad due to lack of availability this weekend which left City with just the 11.  This allowed young William Tanton to make his first team debut.

City started on the upper foot – with the numerical advantage were finding it easy to pass the ball around the back.  City broke the deadlock early on – with a short corner – Griffiths fired off a shot which the keeper saved – the defender first on the scene hit his clearance to Walker – who flicked the ball past the helpless keeper.

City continued to press with some Crisp passing – Campbell to Green to Graham to Duncan Griffiths around the back became a common theme of the game.  Peebles 10^th man appeared but this had very little impact on the procession of play.

City were unfortunately not making the most of their opportunities – with the Peebles keeper making a couple of fine saves. Griffiths did have a goal ward bound shot blocked by the foot of Miller (well it was actually going to sneak past the post).  Young Tanton also had an effort blocked away when he found himself in yards of space.  Finally not long before half time City got the second that their play merited.  A surging run from Player of the Season 2010/11 Campbell ended with a deft pass to Miller in the D whose cross was blocked to the stick of Walker who again whacked the ball past the keeper.

2.0 to City at half time – and the half time team talk revolved around taking our chances.

Slight positional change in the second half with Tanton replacing Miller in Right Midfield.  The second half started brightly for City – with City winning what seemed like short corner after corner.  Griffiths had a couple he fired wide but did also unfortunately hit one high into the net from an open goal instead of just pushing the ball into the backboard – which umpire Mad Maxl chopped off.

Colin Cunniffe was playing left midfield and he had a few advances into the D with shots at goal.

Miller missed two sitters – one when played one on one with the keeper where the first time shot was well blocked by the keeper – the second a shot/pass from Rintoul where Miller was unsighted at the back post – and failed to connect when it seemed easier to score.

With City seeking that second goal to tie things up – they unfortunately had a lapse at the back.  A Peebles short corner routine was well worked before the ball was placed passedBrandon in the city goal to make the score 2.1.

City – now withWalkerhobbling again restructured. Walkermoved to Sweeper as Green pushed into more of a midfield role with Griffiths pushing up front to partner Miller.

The midfield then came to life – Green was probing away – Rintoul one tricking away.  Finally the persistence paid off.

Cunniffe got on the end of a good piece of play at the edge of the D and whacked the ball towards the middle of the goal.  Miller who was in front of the keeper stuck out his stick to prod it into the bottom corner.

The two goal cushion was back and City knew then the points were in the bag.  This didn’t stop City pressing – in the final minute a short corner was won – the umpire blew his full time whistle.  A well worked short corner ended with a shot being kicked by Peebles – therefore another short corner was awarded.  This time the shot was again cleared but Duncan Griffiths brilliantly kept the ball in the d – the ball ended up with Rintoul at the top of the D who powered in a shot which Miller deflected past the keeper to make the score 4.1.

This was a game where City made hard work of it for spells – however rarely looked threatened at the back – apart from on the break.  Jones in goals did make a great block in the first half when the Peebles striker escaped to get right through on goal.

City tried a variety of short corners and probably had about ten of them – however it was one of those days where the direct shots weren’t hitting the target – and things breaking down.  In saying that it should be noted we did score 3 goals from short corners.

Not much more to say on this one – well done to young Tanton – who couldn’t emulate his older brothers goal scoring feat in the 2s – but he did do a power of running and marking in the second half – and to Griffiths and Walker who fought on through injury.  (Walker looked at home in the Edwards role)

Onwards to a potential trip to face Grange on Grass next week….this could be interesting!!

Final Score

City 4 Peebles 1

Scorers –Walker x2; Miller x2