Previous Match reports

12/11/05 Remax SSMFL Division 1 Lochend High School

Lochend Utd...................2  Star Man: Steven Ross

  Big Pidge's handling was first class on Saturday. Difficult shots and crosses were not only stopped but

  held comfortably. Could do nothing for both goals. Looked every inch a quality keeper.

Shawbridge....................2  

S.McElveen

A.Bryce

s.o. (B.Scally, A.Allison)   

05/11/05 Remax SSMFL Division 1 Cathkin Park

Shawbridge.......................2  Star Man: I'll crack the jokes!

S.McElveen

S.McFarlane

(s.o. S.McElveen)

Tynecastle.........................5

It was a wet morning at Cathkin Park and you just knew the park was going to cut up something awful. Shawbridge were going into this game in confident mood after coming from behind to beat Scotsman 3-1 last week, however Tynecastle were also in good form deservedly beating Windlaw 3-1 at Barlia the previous week. So the scene was set for this important league match between these old rivals.

Shawbridge started the game stronger and seemed to be winning the first and second balls. The flow was definitely going towards the Tynecastle goal although there was little in the way of clear cut chances. Then after 20 mins the Shaws took a deserved lead following a cool finish from playmaker Stuart McElveen. The slide rule pass sent the number 10 through who made no mistake from 12 yards out. First blood to the Shaws (can't remember the last time that happened!). However, the lead was short lived as Tynecastle hit back within 10 minutes. A cross from the right was deflected by the left leg of Archie Bryce and landed perfectly on the Tynecastle forward's head to score from all of one yard out at the back post. A cruel deflection but credit to the Tynecastle forward for sneaking in at the back post. 1-1, game on. Shawbridge responded well and were soon back in the lead. A long ball into the channel seen Scott McFarlane take an excellent first touch with his right before smashing home a half-volley with his left from 12 yards out. A cracking strike by the big man, his first in Shawbridge colours (at the right end!). Shaws seemed to be in control of this game and were unlucky not to go further ahead when a header from Barry Scally came crashing off the underside of the bar and away to safety. Had that gone in the outcome may have been different but it never and we were still 2-1 up!

Half-Time: Shawbridge 2 Tynecastle 1

The park was starting to cut up pretty badly and we spoke about clearing our lines quickly as the area outside our 18 yard box was particulary bad. So with less than a minute into the second half Stephen McShane was caught dilly-dallying in exactly that region and gave away a needless corner. Good delivery from the corner, nobody picked up the runner at the front post and bang, header, goal. It was a good header but totally preventable from a Shaws point of view. Firstly, Andy Allison could have tracked the runner better as it was his man but had we listened to what was said at half-time then the ball should have been in Aikenhead Rd. and nowhere near our goal!   This was the moment the Shaws hit the self-destruct button and things went from bad to worse. Shaws were simply not tracking runners or getting to first and second balls so it came as no surprise when Tynecastle took the lead shortly after netting the equaliser. The fourth was soon to follow. An excellent strike from the edge of the box by the Tynecastle man but he had enough time to have a cup of tea and a slice of toast before unleashing his shot! Shaws briefly rallied and Scott McFarlane was unlucky when his ferocious shot hit the Tynecastle keeper on the thigh and grazed the bar on the way over. Any hope of Shaws getting anything from this game disappeared when Stuart McElveen was sent off for retaliating. Tynecastle scored an easy fifth just before the final whistle to round off the misery for Shawbridge.

Full-Time: Shawbridge 2 Tynecastle 5

Overall this was Shawbridge's worst defeat and performance in a long time. Confidence seems to be at an all time low and it is certainly showing. Everybody appears to be waiting for someone else to step up and it is just not good enough. Even when we are drawing or even winning games we look nervous and seem to be waiting for it all to go wrong. After losing the equaliser early in the second half it looked as if we had already thrown in the towel! For goodness sake, it was only an equaliser!!!! We need to do what all good teams going through a bad patch do and that is get back to basics, dig in, and work your socks off for each other. Maybe then we can actually get back to enjoying our football again.

(3-5-2): Ross, Bryce (c), McShane, Dyer, Scally D, McElveen, Cole (Allison W), McLaughlin, Allison A, McFarlane, Scally B.

29/10/05 Remax SSMFL Division 1 Glasgow Green

Scotsman..................1  Star Man 

  Yet again captain consistency showed how vital he is to this Shaws side. Apart from one lapse of concentration in the first half the big man was faultless. Whenever the Shawbridge...............3   chips are down he always keeps a cool head and encourages his players S.Thomson  regardless if they are playing poorly or making mistakes. An admirable quality, B.Scally (2.1 pen)  maybe some of the boys could take a leaf out of his book.

  Archie Bryce

The Shaws poor run and bad luck had to come to an end at some point, and today was that day. It was a brisk morning at the excellent Glasgow Green and although we were missing a few first team regulars (again) the team put out was more than capible of getting a result against the dogged Scotman. Going into this game Scotsman must have been in confident mood after losing a last minute goal against Greenhils Dynamo that seen them defeated 1-0 the previous week.

Shawbridge started the game the better team without creating any clear cut chances but looked comfortable in possession. Then after 25 minutes a long ball caught the Shaws defence flat footed when some of the players ran out to play offside and others stayed. This allowed the Scotsman centre forward to cooly lob Stevie Ross for the opening goal of the game after their first real attack of the game. After this you could see the Shaws players heads go down thinking "Is it going to be another one of those games?" So it was up to the players to turn things around although confidence was low. The typical Shaws response didn't materialise however Stephen Bain passed up a great opportunity to equalise when his diving header form 8 yards out sailed over the bar. Good work on the right by the impressive Andy Murray put in on a plate for Bainy but sadly for Shaws the normally deadly front man failed to register. That was the only real chance the Shaws created in the remainder of the first half much to the dismay of the Shaws manager and everyone knew the second half had to be much better.

Half-Time: Scotsman 1 Shawbridge 0

Following a few harsh words from the manager at half-time Shawbridge picked up the pace in the second half. We started to get into dangerous wide positions and stretch the Scotsman rear-guard but the delivery could have been better at times. When the delivery was good there was no finish to match. Stuart McElveen and Barry Scally both missed good chances to square the game following good wing play by Andy Murray. Again you could start to see the heads going down again until Stevie Thomson rammed home from close range after a goal-mouth scramble. 1-1 with 20 minutes to go and you could see the confidence return in the Shaws ranks. Suddenly we took the game by the scruff of the neck and began our assault on the Scotsman goal. Then with 10 minutes remaining a lovely weighted pass from Mark Dyer sent Barry Scally through and the big striker hammered home a low shot into the bottom left hand corner from an almost impossible angle. A great finish from the big man to put Shawbridge ahead for the first time in the match. You could see there was only going to be one winner in this match. Credit to Scotsman who tried hard to get the leveller but their best attempt was a an effort from 16 yards that sailed over the bar. In the closing stages a Scotsman defender foolishly gave away a penalty after kicking Stuart McElveen off the ball. Barry Scally duly slotted home for his second and Shawbrige's third of the game securing all three points for Shawbridge.

Full-Time: Scotsman 1 Shawbridge 3

Overall this was an important and well deserved victory for the Shaws, not only for the three points but for the confidence factor. Confidence is a crucial aspect in terms of how a player and a team performs and hopefully this vital ingredient has returned. Credit to the Shaws boys for coming back from 1-0 down but we should never let the heads go down in that situation. Looking back to the Shawbridge of old when we lost a goal or two we just shrugged our shoulders as we knew we were more than capable of scoring at any time. So lets get back to that kind of attitude as I am certain we have enough quality in the side to see us through this sticky patch. C'mon the Shaws!!!

(3-5-2): Ross, Bryce(c), McShane, Thomson, Murray, Dyer, Scally D, McElveen, Allison (McLaughlin), Bain, Scally,B.

22/10/05 Remax SSMFL Division 1 Cathkin Park

  Star Man

Shawbridge.......................2   The Shaws playmaker was all over the park on Saturday.

S.McElveen  Lost count of the amount of dangerous balls he slid in to

B.Scally (pen)   the wide men and the forwards. Tackling was solid too.

  Scored one and set up the other followin a mazy run from

Blochairn Star...................3   the right. Class was there for all to see.

  Stuart McElveen

Cathkin Park was in "no-bad nick" considering the heavy rainfall all week and the greasy surface just whetted the appetite even more for the meeting of these two 1st division giants. It wasn't to disappoint as both teams went at it hammer and tongs in what was a thrilling contest. Credit to both teams as the game was played the way it should be with meaty (but fair) tackles raining in from the first minute, shown by the fact there wasn't a real bad tackle in the whole match. However, this wasn't the only feature of the game as both teams played some good attacking football. The difference between the two sides in this game was that Blochairn took their chances and Shawbridge didn't. In fact Shaws probably had double the amount of chances, if not more, than Blochairn yet still failed to take anything from this game.

The game started at a typically frantic pace as both teams tried to stamp their authority on the game however a slack back pass by Scott McFarlane led to Blochairn's first early on in the game. John Heeps latched on to the mistake before squaring to Brian Henderson who made no mistake from six yards out. First blood to the Budgie. This seemed to kick start Shawbridge into gear as they took control of the game putting real pressure on the Blochairn goal but failure to convert guilt edged chances were to prove costly for the Shaws. Firstly, Stephen Bain blazed over from 12 yards following an excellent cut back from Barry Scally on the right. There was time for a touch that would have opened the goal up for the viper but hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it! Next, the impressive David Cole got time and space in the box but his shot from 8 yards out failed to carry any real conviction and sailed past the keepers left hand post. Eventually the Shaws got their just reward with a leveller from the excellent Stuart McElveen. Blochairn failed to deal with a cross from the left and Stuarty was on hand to turn and rifle home with his right foot. 1-1 game on! Shawbridge continued to press and were getting plenty of joy in the channels with David Cole making some great runs however the end product continued to frustrate the Shawbridge manager. With the game locked at 1-1 there was a 5 minute spell of fierce (but fair) tackling as both sides tried to dominate the midfield area and some great crunching tackles from Derek Scally and Stuart McElveen set the tone. However big Skid was giving as good as he got and I'm sure his return from a dreadful knee injury will bolster Blochairn's challenge for the league. Then against the run of play Bochairn took the lead. Excellent hold up play by Gerry Hughes, despite the close attention of Stepnen McShane, gave him time to send the ball through to the on rushing Brian Henderson who slotted home his, and Blochairn's, second of the game. The response from Shawbridge was typical but once again the finishing let down the excellent build up play. Shaws normally reliable goal machine, Barry Scally, blazed over from close range when it seemed easier to score.

Half-time: Shawbridge 1 Blochairn 2.

The second half started as the first ended with Shawbridge dominating possession in search of the equaliser. However, Blochairn showed their danger on the break and almost took a two goal advantage following a glancing header by McGeechy who nicked in front of Mark Dyer following a decent ball in from the right. Only the outstretched right hand of Scott Lyle (Shaws keeper for the day) stopped the Blochairn midfielder from registering. It was a brilliant save from the former Ashfield keeper who didn't deserve to be on the losing side. Then as the game went into its slowest period of the game (only 125mph!) Stuart McElveen gathered the ball on the right before beating two players on his way into the box. He then committed the Blochairn defender to a challange, definate contact, penalty for the Shaws. It was clever play by the Shawbridge playmaker as he got to the ball a fraction before the Blochairn man. Up stepped Barry Scally to slot home into the bottom right hand corner giving the keeper no chance. 2-2 game on........again! After levelling for a second time I was sure there was only going to be one winner but the men from the Garngad had other ideas. Shawbridge continued to have the lion's share of possession and were getting into dangerous areas creating chance after chance. Despite all this I can't remeber the Blochairn keeper having to make to many saves. Then with 15 minutes remaining the Budgie struck the killer blow. Good work by Gerry Hughes in the inside right set up Blochairn's left mid who arrived late at the back post to volley home the winner into an empty net from six yards out. The way this game was going Shaws were not out of this yet and some great close control by Barry Scally led to a definate penalty claim as his heels got clipped inside the box but nothing was given. Credit to Blochairn who managed to hold onto their lead and ensure they left with all three points.

Full-time: Shawbridge 2 Blochairn 3.

Overall, this was as disappointing as the Windlaw game, if not more and had it not been for our lack of conviction in front of goal I'm certain we would have taken something if not everything from this match. However generally our play, dig and organisation was good so when the end product returns somebody is going to cop it! The men from Royston will be delighted with the win, quite rightly so and I'm sure a few extra beers were downed on Saturday at the Shaws expense. Yet again we have to get the heads up for next weeks vital league game away to Scotsman who narrowly lost 1-0 away to title contenders Greenhills Dynamo and it took a last minute goal to secure the victory . In addition Windlaw's 3-1 defeat at home to Tynecastle underlines the strength of the first division and there will be many more twists and turns before the end of the season. Keep the faith!!!!

(3-5-2):  Lyle, McFarlane, McShane, Bryce (c), Dyer, Scally D, McElveen, Cole, Allison (Brisbane), Bain, Scally B.

15/10/05 West of Scotland Amateur Cup (National Sports Centre, Largs)

    Star Man:

Broomfield AFC.................3 

  Marshalled his defence well in difficult circumstances. Captain consistency was solid throughout and led by example hammering home

  header to start the attempted comeback

Shawbridge.......................1   

A.Bryce    

    Archie Bryce  

No Steven Ross (injured), Stephen Bain (work), Brian Trainer (work), Davie Farquar (injured), Scott McFarlane, Brian and John Peacock (awol). In addition, Mark Dyer had to play in goals and Shaws leading striker, Barry Scally, played despite suffering from flu. Therefore the odds were heavily stacked against us before we even set off for Largs and it was to prove too much of an obstacle to overcome in our first ever outing in the West of Scotland Cup.

Despite this, Archie's cool driving and Del's pin-point directions seen the Shawbridge team (or what was left of it) arrive in Largs with our buckets and spades in the hope of pulling one out the bag when it never seemed likely. The venue was changed on the Friday night as Broomfield's normal ground was deemed unplayable by Ayrshire council so the game took place at the National Sports Centre. The game was played on astroturf and although it wasn't ideal it was one of the best astros we've played on. In addition, we had to get this tie out of the way as this could have dragged on for weeks resulting in a heavy back-log in league fixtures. The changing facilities were first class and from the outside it looked more like a five star hotel!

We got off to the worst possible start losing a goal in the first 10 minutes whilst we were still trying to find our shape. A long punt from Broomfield's keeper somehow found their striker on the edge of the box who took an excellent first touch before cooly lobbing the out-rushing Mark Dyer, who should have stayed on his line considering he is only 2 feet 6 inches tall! The Shaws responded well by putting pressure on the Broomfield defence and were twice close to an equaliser. Firstly, Stuart McElveen chested down a flick on before unleashing a left footed shot that was heading for the net until their defender intercepted on the line. A geat piece of defending by the Broomfield man. Next up was the flu ridden Barry Scally who would have definetly scored from 6 yards out had he controlled an excellent cut back from the left but his first touch let him down and the chance was gone.

Although we looked the more likely team to score the Broomfield players were getting far too much time and space, especially in the central midfield area. This was to prove costly as their centre mid was allowed all the time in the world to send in a cross with pace that eluded everyone and ended up nestling in the bottom left hand corner of the net. 2-0 Broomfield at half-time.

In the second half we knew we had to play much better and get closer to our markers. For the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half thats just what happened and although we never created much ourselves Broomfield posed no threat to the Shawbridge goal. Then following a back pass from Stephen McShane, Mark Dyer failed to get any real length in his clearance and it fell nicely for the Broomfield player to slot home the killer blow. 3-0 and no way back, or was there. Suddenly Shawbridge's character began to show and for the last 20 minutes we laid seige to the Broomfield goal. Captain Archie Bryce led by example bulleting home a header from a great corner from Gordon McLaughlin, 3-1 with 15 minutes left. This put Broomfield on the back foot and it was all Shawbridge from then on in, however when a Barry Scally effort rebounded off the bar with 5 minutes left we knew it wasn't meant to be. The game ended 3-1 and so ended the Shaws brief participation in the West of Scotland Cup.

Overall, the fact that half the team were missing cost Shawbridge this game. Had there been a full compliment of players then it would have been entirely different game and that is no excuse. We didn't play well until we went 3-0 down and on the day the better team won. But credit to the boys who were there and gave their all, well done lads!!! Good luck to Broomfield in the next round and for the rest of their season. Following the disappointment our thoughts turned to one thing.............BEER! and Archie duly obliged by pulling up at a wee off-sales in Largs that must have doubled its weekly takings following an invasion from the Shaws. By the time we reached Rutherglen Main Street the mini-bus,and everybody in it, was bouncing to the free CD in the Daily Record. A pit-stop was made at Chapmans and the disappointment was quickly being washed away by the free flowing bevy.

We must now focus on Saturday's important league game at home to Blochairn Star who will be out for revenge following last seasons Strathclyde Cup final defeat. Hopefully there will be a few key players returning for that one for what is sure to be a

rip-snorter of a game.

(4-4-2):  Dyer, Duffy, McShane, Bryce, Allison, Scally D, Murray, Cole, McLaughlin, Scally B, McElveen.

01/10/05 Joe McMenemy League Cup Semi-Final (Lochend High School)

  Star Man

Shawbridge..............2     

S.Bain

B.Trainer   The big man hardly put a foot wrong the whole game. First class defending by the big (s.o. B.Peacock, J.Peacock)  yetti. Almost  snatched a last minute leveller taking a kick in the face for his troubles.  Typical from the Stengo.

Greenbank Utd.........4

   Stephen McShane

Five subs, quality park, good warm up, great team talk. The scene was set for another Shawbridge semi-final victory that would see them into their 5th cup final in their seven year history. However, 2nd Division champions Greenbank Utd. had other ideas.

Greenbank started the game better and Shawbridge were allowing their number 7, Terry Colquhoun to pull the strings in midfield. 15 minutes gone and Greenbank were awarded a soft penalty for an off the ball push in the back by big John, when clearly both players were at it, prior to a throw in deep inside the Shawbridge half. However, justice was done when the ball hit the outside of Pidge's right hand post and went behind for a corner. This seemed to be the kick up the backside the Shaws needed as they went on to dominate the remainder of the first half. A couple of decent chances went a begging before Stephen Bain's strike just on the stroke of half-time. A great cross from Gordon McLaughlin on the left sat up nicely for Bainy who, on the half-volley, smashed home to give Shawbridge the lead. 1-0 up at half time and no less than we deserved.

After the break Greenbank came out looking for the leveller and continued to press playing some decent football in the process but for the first 15 minutes of the second half Shawbridge were containing them well and creating the odd chance on the break themselves. Then following an offside decision all hell broke loose. The linesman on the far side kept his flag aloft and the referee went over to see why. Next thing Brian Peacock is shown a red with his brother John following suit in the aftermath. With Shaws down to 9 men Derek Scally came on for Mark Dyer as the system was changed to a brave 3-4-1 formation. It nearly paid off but Greenbank's keeper made a fine save as Barry shot from a tight angle when in hindsight might have squared to Stephen Bain. Even so I doubt if 2-0 would have been enough. With little time to reorganise Greenbank snatched an equaliser. Brian Trainer and Stuart McElveen came on for Andy Murray and Gordon McLaughlin in order to give us some fresh legs. Shaws bravely held on for another 10-15 minutes before the killer blow was struck and it was a howler from Steven Ross who let the ball drift under his hands for what looked like an easy take. This seemed to take what heart was left out of the Shaws and the third soon followed. Brian Trainer gave Shaws a glimmer of hope following a fine left footed strike off the inside of the post after cutting in from the wide right postion. However, there was too much time and space for Greenbank who slotted home an easy fourth right on the final whistle.

Overall, a disappointing end to a promising game. No doubt the double sending off changed the pattern of the game and it would have been interesting to see the outcome had it remained 11 v 11 or even 11 v 10. Anyway, credit to Greenbank and good luck to them in the final. The only consolation was that every remaining Shawbridge player gave their all and you can't ask anymore than that. No point in dwelling on what might have been as we need to be focused for next week's West of Scotland Cup tie. So in typical Shaws fashion "Get the heeds up!!!!!"

(3-5-2):  Ross, Hewitt, McShane, Bryce (c), Dyer (Scally D), Murray (Trainer), Peacock J, Peacock B, McLaughlin(McElveen), Scally B, S.Bain.

Subs Not Used: D.Cole, A.Allison