Clubs | Loanhead and AC share the spoils | |
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Loanhead Miners Youth FC entered the new year just a league point to their name. Playing in the top flight can be hard and the Midlothian outfit were certainly finding the going tough in the Under 16 SERYFA Division 1. Looking to prolong their bad run were the first visitors of 2011, AC Oxgangs 95. Sitting in the middle of the table with games in hand, AC were keen to push themselves up the table towards the title challengers.
The visitors started strongly and with just two minutes on the clock they hit the woodwork. Loanhead then had Robbie Cattlin to thank as he cleared the ball off the line after a dangerous free kick. And the valiant defending was to come with reward, as the hosts hit Oxgangs on the break. With just ten minutes gone, excellent link up play saw the ball fall to Josh Anderson. Anderson showed great composure to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, who was caught off his line, and into the back of the net.
Unsurprisingly this prompted wave after wave of attack from Oxgangs. However, they couldn't cut open a resolute Loanhead defence, who kept their discipline and ensured they went into the interval with a clean sheet and lead intact.
Despite being on the back foot, Loanhead went close to doubling their lead early in the second half, but the chance when a begging. Oxgangs continued to knock on the door and came close minutes later with a header crashing off the crossbar. However, they did not have long to wait before getting back on level terms. David Scott was the architect, as he squared the ball to his team-mate, who was left with the easiest of finishes to make it 1-1.
Oxgangs continued to press but the home side were always dangerous on the break. Scott of Loanhead was the first to react to a half-cleared corner kick and he put the ball away with style to put his side back into the lead with sixty-five minutes played. However, that was a lead that lasted only four minutes. The home defence cried for a foul on the goalkeeper but the referee played on as Oxgangs bundled the ball home to level the tie.
Adam Spencer of Oxgangs came close to an acrobatic winner, but his overhead kick flew wide of the target. A quick succession of corners threatened to turn the tie in the visitors favour, however the home defence showed discipline to clear their lines and cling onto a point. A point which Loanhead will hope to be a sign of things to come!
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