Maroons battle through for 1-0 win

The Maroons rustled up 12 men for Saturday's match against Balgownie Crows and at least eight of them were fit. After a first half of heaving and blowing, poor passes and few chances at either end the halftime concensus was that a 0-0 draw would be a point well won.
The Crows, marshalled at the back by Richard Lloyd, who played in the NSL for the Wolves in the early 90s, played some decent football and had the advantage of four subs.
We had a feisty halftime discussion and the theme that emerged - keeping the ball on the deck into a strong wind - worked well.
As Lloyd was pushed forward into attacking midfield, the Crows lacked pace and guidance at the back which we started to exploit.
The wide boys, Dave C and Dave M, were finding space behind the fullbacks and getting good ball into the box. TH10 was set up on the edge of the area and his shot was destined for the bottom corner before the tall keeper fingered it around the post.
Soon after the Maroons felt they had gone ahead as Ant headed powerfully and the keeper fumbled it over the line before dragging it back to safety. The ref and linesman were out of position and the ref ruled in favour of the keeper.
At the other end Kev, Dave D, Dean, Paul, GJ and Tom were getting everything in the way of the advancing Balgownie hordes while Pete was holding firm as they swung in high balls at him.
Fergus was flying into tackles, regardless of the eight or nine separate injuries he thought might rule him out of the match, and winning virtually all of them.
He then created the only goal of the game, drifting forward on the right and clipping a through ball at chest height to TH10 who cushioned it down past the last defender, took a few steps and hammered it past the advancing keeper.
Fatigue started to tell over the final quarter hour and it stretched an eternity. Dean was hacked down from behind, Paul E went down in agony and Dave M tried to hobble off but was told to get back on and have a rest up front (how come everyone thinks forwards rest?).
Pete brought off a stunning save as Balgownie's main man surged forward looking for the equaliser and GJ was lucky to escape when the ball was smashed into his hand in the penalty area. No intent and no time to move, but as Dean said, "I've seen 'em given."
At the death Tom's strong header allowed TH10 to sneak between the two central defenders but he snatched at the shot with his weaker left foot and it squeezed past the post with the keeper beaten. No one was more relieved when the whistle went seconds later.
Next week we welcome back several players and those needing a week to rest injuries should think about taking the opportunity with some players needing to be rostered off. It's another tough match, against Helensburgh Sweat Hogs at the back field where we had so many ups and downs in a previous life.
Meanwhile, AB12 reported that the Whites fell 2-0 to Fernhill. That's all I know so he can post on that match.