Sauchie Juniors 2, Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1
IT WAS a winning start for Jon Tully in his first game as interim manager of Sauchie Juniors, taking the victory to inflict only a second league defeat for opponents Hill of Beath Hawthorn.
There were two changes from the team’s defeat to Dundonald Bluebell the week before, with defenders Jack Thomson and Lucas Williamson coming in to take their places in the back four.
Before kick-off, a minute’s applause rang round Beechwood Park, as the club remembered one of their own, Hamish Mitchell who had passed away just the day before.
It was a lively start from the home team, just a minute on the clock when Paul Simpson delivered a ball for the head of Thomson, only for Scott Reekie to clear the effort off the line.
Scott Davidson provided a through ball from Finn Malcolm, giving the striker an opportunity in front of goal but only for Haws goalkeeper Robert Duffy to gather.
Brian Morgan stood over an awarded free-kick following a foul on Euan Griffiths, an edge of the box effort saw Duffy take with ease.
The visitors broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, a looping ball over the top from John Smith beat Keir Burt who had come off his line.
Smith’s goal had come entirely against the run of play, punishing Sauchie with their first chance of the game.
Tully spoke to Advertiser Sport and offered his frustrations: “We started the game superbly, probably having 60/70% possession in their half, and to get caught with a long ball and their first threat at goal was really disappointing.”
With an opener, the visitors headed on the ascendancy and searched to double their lead, Smith providing this time but only for Owen Andrew to strike over the bar.
The last chance of the half fell for Smith again as he went one-one-one with Burt between the sticks, but the goalkeeper stood tall to deny.
Tully continued: “Half time probably came at a good time as we could see heads were down a bit, so message to players was nice and easy for me.
"Keep doing what you’re doing, keep believing in each other, and just be more clinical in the final third. We will get something out of the game, we just need to want it and it’ll come.”
Just minutes into the second half, and the hosts were level, Rhys Caves striking the ball and rocketing the shot into the corner of the net.
There would be a cheap foul by Scott Davidson in a dangerous area, presenting a free-kick in a dangerous area for Jordan Tosh, but the shot would sail out of play.
The captain more than made up for it at the other end, though, when a Paul Simpson free-kick was delivered to his head as he headed home, putting his side in front.
Further chances for the team from Fife as they now searched for a way back into the game, Smith with an opportunity from the free-kick and Stuart Love’s shot in open play, both untroubling the Sauchie defence.
The last roll of the dice came from Scott Reekie, a chance to be a hero but not to be as his attempt saw behind for a goal kick, this signalled the end of the game as the Clackmannanshire side claimed a valuable victory.
Speaking of the boost in morale for his squad, the interim boss would say: “You could see the difference in the players after the game, in their mood and how they acted; it was a humungous three points.
"The players wanted to pay respect to Fraser (Duncan) for all he has done for the club, also Daz (Darren Cummings), Greig (Maitland) and Andy (Brown), they wanted to do it for them.
"We also wanted to pay respect to Hamish Mitchell, who is one of the true Sauchie legends, and his family.
“The players played with pure emotion and adrenaline, so next week away to Whitburn for me is the real test, get the three points there, then into the cup."
"I think the next three league games are so big for the club, we will hopefully start climbing back up the table and finish the season off as strongly as we can.” He added.
Advertiser Sport Man of the Match (Rhys Caves) The man who hadn’t scored for the club until now can rest easy knowing that monkey is now off his back. One of those players who largely goes under the radar with his work in the middle of the park can rightfully take the plaudits for his performance in this game, breaking up the play between attack and defence.
Sauchie Juniors’ next game sees them wrap up the month of February with a visit to Central Park to take on Whitburn. This takes place this Saturday in West Lothian and is a 2:30 pm kick-off.
Sauchie Juniors: Burt, Willaghan, Davidson, Thomson, Simpson, Caves (Collumbine 83’), Kavanagh, Griffiths, Williamson, Malcolm (Gemmell 76’), Morgan
Substitutes Not Used: Robertson, Smith, Chalmers, Kane
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