Silverknowes started their first preseason friendly of the season on the front foot and took the game to their opponents early on. Davie Miller was getting a lot of change out of the Barca right midfield and full back, but could not convert the possesion into crosses. Chances were at premium for both sides in the first half with only a couple of half chances really to note. Cunningham was played in by Lumsden who fed in Scott Manson, but the rustiness showed, when he should have used his speed to motor on into the box, but he took a touch and allowed the defenders to get back in goal side and the eventually shot was harmless into the goalkeepers arms. Nisbet was getting on the ball alot, but unfortunately Silverknowes were not penetrating their opponents enough. Then a moment of madness in the Silverknowes box, when Hendersons harmless back pass to Mason was in excusably kicked straight at the surprised Barca striker, who probably should have scored, but sided footed his shot past the post. Silverknowes then made a couple of changes upfront with Jenkinson and Bateman coming on for Cunningham and Scott Manson. Bateman looked lively and had a couple of snap shots which were tame enough for the goalkeeper to gather comfortably. Then a mixup in the Barca defence allowed Bateman to squeeze himself in between and steal the ball before a tangle of legs in the box and the referee awarding a penalty. After much confusion Jenkinson stepped up, only for the keeper to save to his right.

 

 

Barca opened the most lively of the two teams in the second half and within minutes got a lucky break when a harmless strike from the Barca player was going wide hit David Manson in the chest and past the helpless Alexander, who had come on at half time for Mason. The game turned scrappy after that with both teams showing thier rustiness of preseason. Barca should have doubled thier lead later on in the second half when their striker was one on one with Alexnader, but Alexander blocked well and out for a throw in. Silverknowes did equalize, though a bit lucky. David Manson broke forward and hit a shot which ricochette off a Barca defender, the ball fell kindly for Wheelan who sided footed home for Silverknwoes first goal of the season. This spurred Barca on and it seemed Silverknowes were starting to tire and lose thier shape a liitle. Barca then scored three goals in a ten minute period. The first goal coming from a corner which wasn't cleared properly and being knocked in at the far post. Then another corner broke to the Barca player whos shot was beaten up in the air by Alexander, but the Barca player reacting quicker to prod the ball home over the line, before a moment to forget for Alexander, when a harmless hopeful cross into the box  slipped through Alexander fingers to put Barca 4-1 up. Not a true reflection on the game played, but the score at the time never the less. Silverknowes did come back spiritly in the final ten minutes, when Cunningham cut the ball back for the trialist in the box only for a defender to nick it off his toe, then Wheelan swung a great ball in the box for Cunningham to head into the top corner leaving the goalkeeper stranded, then moments later, Miller broke into the box on the left and fired at goal only for the keeper to turn his shot onto the post and out for a corner. Barca also had a couple of break away chances with the Silverknowes defence tiring and pushing up, but also rustiness on their part didnt help and the chances were wasted. One last burst into the box from Lumsden after a neat one two with Cunningham allowed him to get his shot away but unfortnately wide of the target. All in all, a worthwile exercise with still much work to be done. A few positives to be taken out the first half, but lack of fitness and discipline in the second half cost us dearly which has to be cut out before the serious business takes place.

 

 

 

Mason(Alexander), D.Manson, Lumsden, Henderson, Stu.Buckley, Wheelan, Miller, Nisbet, Hildersley, Sc.Manson(Bateman), Cunningham(Jenkinson)