Crieff Juniors take-out Strathendrick

May 15 2009 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

Denny Boys Club 0 - 5 Crieff Juniors U16

CRIEFF travelled to Denny on league duty with only 10 fit players but were soon on the offensive and took the lead in the 23rd minute. Dave McKay’s cross was coolly side-footed home by David Lawrence. Their lead was extended five minutes later when Andrew Kirkaldy connected with a corner to slam the ball home.

The Juniors played the second half with a strong wind at their back and this allowed them to completely dominate the proceedings. Euan Carter made it three when he rose unchallenged to a Stewart Smith corner to head home. The fourth goal also came from a Smith corner when a Dunipace defender slashed his clearance into his own net. David Lawrence grabbed his second when he chased a through ball to drill it past the keeper.

Crieff Juniors U11 6 - 5  Strathendrick

CRIEFF came from three goals down to win. The Crieff boys made a slow start and went a goal down early on. Strathendrick scored a second following a mix-up in defence. The home side continued to press but lost a third goal just before half-time.

Crieff came out fighting in the second half and were on level terms within five minutes. First a cross from Ralph Chater evaded the Strathendrick keeper and sneaked in at the far post. Chater added a second when he won the ball on the edge of the box, evaded a couple of tackles and shot home. He then set up Kros Brown, who finished coolly from eight yards to bring Crieff level.

Leon Aiton went close following an excellent interchange with Brown and Chater. Chater then completed his hat-trick following a solo run through the Strathendrick defence and a neat finish to put Crieff ahead for the first time.

Fraser Easton followed this up with the goal of the game. Picking the ball up just inside his own half, Easton drove forward and fired into the roof of the net from well outside the box.

Strathendrick were given a lifeline back into the match when they were awarded a penalty. Calum Graham in the Crieff goal got a hand to the ball but could not stop it from crossing the line. A further mix up in the Crieff defence then allowed Strathendrick to draw level at 5-5.

In a rousing finish Brown, Aiton and Chater all went close before Kros Brown scored the winner with a powerful header from a Chater corner.

Ralph Chater was man of the match.