Amateur football: Bad result for Strathearn Grove

Nov 9 2012 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

Strathearn Grove travelled to Aberfeldy last Saturday to take on league leaders Breadalbane. With Campbell Dewar and Euan Carter missing there was a return to centre midfield for Stevie Douglas and a place upfront for Dave McKay.

It was the home team who started brightest and came close on a few occasions but as Grove struggled to get a foothold in the game, poor defending from a corner put them behind. Grove continued to strive to get back into the game but with the Breadalbane players looking sharper they struggled to put their opponents under pressure.

The opportunities created by Grove saw the normally reliable Patrick Ward shoot past as did Dave McKay before a further attempt by Ward was turned past the right hand post by the covering defender. Graham Duncan then had a header from a corner blocked. Then due to an ankle injury Graham Walker had to be replaced by Stuart Scott in midfield. Keeper Stuart Young had an impressive reflex stop before Breadalbane were rewarded with the goal their possession merited on the stroke of half time as again from a corner the ball was turned into the net to double their lead. Grove emerged after the break taking the game to Breadalbane and with Patrick Ward leading the charge his cross found McKay but his header went wide.

Breadalbane further increased their lead before a drive into the box saw Douglas with the chance to claw one back but he also saw his shot go wide of goal. A poor clearance from the Grove defence saw the ball come straight back at them and failure to clear a second time allowed the striker in on goal to score. Ward was then carried off after catching his studs in the turf with recent signing Jim Millar replacing him to make his debut. With a four goal lead Breadalbane were able to relax before finishing the game off with a goal direct from a free kick. Another disappointing performance in the league where poor defending at set pieces proved costly.