ABRONHILL INTRANS HOMEPAGE

MATCH:10 - 15/12/07

STRATHCLYDE UNIVERISTY 2 ABRONHILL INTRANS 5

LOCATION: STEPPS, S.U PITCHES

TEAM: JOSIE, JOE, JACK, ANDY, ROBERT, BILLY,IAIN,RAYMOND,ROSS,MARK,ANTS

SUBS USED: MICHAEL.

GAME SUMMARY:

H/F time 2-1 F/T 2-5

MATCH REPORT BY ROSS, i can take NO credit for some of the comparisons mentioned below, and i dont want too.

Abronhill stretched their unbeaten run to 8 games (last defeat was on 6th of October!!) to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the league table. Playing conditions were perfect, with the pitch in immaculate condition (especially for the time of year).

This raised the hopes of the Abronhill players as it would surely suit their passing game. Captain Danny Flynn's absense forced a slight reshuffle of the pack from last weeks game but the visitors started in their familiar 4-4-2 line-up, with Andy McMahon slotting in at the back along with the AUGs own answer to the kaiser, Jack Spiers.

The game didn't go according to the script however, as Strathclyde Uni forced a goal early doors to go 1-up. Some poor midfield play put pressure on the Abronhill defence, which made some of the defending at the start of the first half seem more like Jack Bauer in the middle of a hostage crisis than Franz Beckenbauer.

However, two excellent saves from the holy goalie, Josey Lethley, kept Abronhill in it and the ship was steadied soon after when a goal was pulled back through Raymond McCluskey.

The students were a decent footballing side however and went 2-1 up before half time. Lesser teams might have crumbled, but the team spirit this year has been nothing short of excellent and Abronhill got themselves together at half time after an inspirational talk from coach Stephen McGowan,reminiscent of Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday.

Half time also saw Michael McQuillan replace Raymond McCluskey, the only player who had played every minute of every game so far, with Ross Kennedy going into centre midfield and young Michael going out onto the right of midfield to teach their left back some of his Elvis moves. As the second half started, it was clear there was only going to be one winner as Abronhill raised their game and got in about the home side straight from the off.

The equaliser came fairly quickly when Ross Kennedy managed to keep his dummy in his mouth long enough to play the ball through to the still slightly drunk Iain Martin, who decided which set of 4 goalposts to aim at before rifling a shot beyond their keeper into the bottom corner. Game on again and Abronhill kept the pressure up. Determined to take the league, even the defenders pressed forward, with Joe Maguire delivering some superb crosses and Roberto ( CARLOS) Mason scoring his first ever goal for the club by smashing a shot past the keeper into the bottom corner after everyone else missed the cross from the free-kick. There was only one team in it now and Abronhill were by far the more determined of the 2 teams. Once again, special mention has to go to MOM Billy Ratcliffe, as he ran the students defence ragged with his tireless running. This paid off soon after, when he scored his 11th of the season with a neat finish, a much harder chance than his previous sitters he missed !

Billy really is closing in on the player of the year award, with his mantelpiece sure to be creaking with silverware once the drunkest man of the month trophies are added to the equation. 4-2 and the game was now beyond doubt.

The whole team looked solid at this stage, with the midfield tracking back to make tackles (I even tackled someone at one point) and both flanks were solid with Ants Horan and Michael McQuillan working tirelessly.

Mark McCluskey also continued his impressive comeback from injury earlier in the season with another solid box-to box display and some important tackles (and some top class motivational shouting!!). Josie was also solid between the sticks and the centre half pairing of Spiers and McMahon never even let them get close to scoring. The 2 hour training sessions have really paid off in the last couple of weeks with the extra fitness showing and the game was soon over when Iain Martin added a second to make it 5-2. Abronhill now go into the xmas break on a high with all focus on the next league game. THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

Big up to Phil Campbell for coming along to provide cover, even when injured. I also must apologise for spitting the dummy and kicking the

Bookings: Jack

MoM AWARD: Billy (again)