With a game under the our belt, we were looking to get our sharpness back in time for the start of the season and with that in mind and also with St Bernards showing that they were a couple of weeks and a few friendly games ahead of us, Silverknowes lost a goal in the opening few minutes of the game. A mixup at the back, led to a harmless backpass to Mason, who's first touch went about 6 yards in front of him, allowing the St Bernards striker with an easy chance to compose himself before firing into the net. This seemed to stun Silverknwoes, who were camping just outside their own 18 yard box. St.Bernards looking more sharper than Silverknowes pushed forward at every opportunity trying to get a quick second. They had the ball down either wing a few times and fired in some great low crosses, but either no one was on the end of them or good defending by Silverknowes prevented the goal being further breached. It took about 25 minutes before Silverknowes regained their confidence and tried knocking the ball around and created some good chances of thier own. First of all Wheelan broke free on the right and instead of shooting he chose to try and pick out Jenkninson at the back, with the move coming to nothing in the end, then Miller breaking down the other wing and laid a great ball into Jenkinson, but again the big striker could not convert, then again Wheelan broke free down the right, before picking out the on rushing Miller with a beautiful cross, only for Miller to smash his volley wide when he could probably have taken a touch. Silverknowes were looking more liverly now and created one final chance before half time when the ball was swung in at the far post, only for Henderson to cushion his header into Jenkinson path who fired over from 10 yards. St Bernards should have double their lead just before half time, when their striker got free from Craig and Steven Buckley only for him to shoot over the bar.

 

 

Silverknowes made a few changes at half time and within 10 minutes were level. David Manson fed Wheelan on the right and his ball over top into the channel was chased by Cunningham, who spotted the keeper coming off his line. Cunningham then looped the ball over the keeper into the far corner of the net from 35 yards to even the game. Cunningham almost put Silverknwoes in front, when a another great ball over the top of the St.Bernards defence by David Manson, was taken down first time by Cunningham and his first time shot beat the keeper but also the post. St.Bernards then had a couple oppurtunities of their own to take the lead when their centre midfielder rode some tackles before playing in his fellow strikers, but a mixture of poor finishing and some good last ditch tackles prevented them scoring. Then two moments of sheer frustration for Silverknowes, when first of all Cunningham was put through one on one with the keeper only to be pulled up incorrectly for offiside, then a near indentical situation with Henderson through on goal, some how blown also for offside. St.Bernards did finally breach the Silverknowes goal again in the last few minutes when a corner was not properly cleared and after a scramble was prodded home. Scott Manson almost equalized straight, when good skill on the ball from Horler created enough space to allow him to play in Scott Manson, only for his right foot shot to fly past the keeper and the post. St.Bernards grabbed a third in the dying moments when some tired slack play at the back allowed St Bernards to get in behind the Silverknowes defence and cut the ball back from the left for their striker to slide into the net. Another good test for the boys, with some neat and tidy moves creating chances which was encouraging. Also it allowed some of the trialist to impress. We still lack a bit mental fitness as again we, as a team, tired in the last 15 minutes and allowed St.Bernards to dominate proceedings. 

 

 

 

 

Mason, Ste.Buckley(D.Manson), Lumsden, Bann, Craig, Wheelan(Summutt-trialist), Miller(Hildersley), Nisbet, Henderson, Sc.Manson(Horler), Jenkinson(Cunningham)