South East Region Development 12s League : Division One

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Match Report

06/11/08
Thursday

Coaching Team

Andrew Stephen

SFA Qualified Coach :
 Level 1 Children  - Early Touches Certificate
 Level 2 Children - Coaching Young Footballers
Level 1 Youth  - Development Activities
  Qualified 1st Aider

Telephone : 0131 445 4659

Mobile : 07879 604 384

E-mail: peter.philp@acoxgangs.com

Telephone : 0131 447 3275

Mobile : 07740 958 393

E-mail: andrew.stephen@acoxgangs.com

Telephone : 0131 447 1495

Mobile : 07740 444 374

E-mail: david.speirs@acoxgangs.com

The boys seemed to have developed a "win 1, lose 1" routine over the last few weeks and were unable to shake the habit against a strong Salvesen side today. The boys will feel unlucky to have not got something out of today's game and on the balance of chances, ACO should have got a least a draw but couldn't quite finish the chances they created. However, the boys need to realise that on heavier pitches, sometimes football is not enough and that you have to compete 110% all over the park for every ball. Salvie did, which is credit to them.

Straight from the KO, ACO forced a corner and from the corner, the ball pinged around in the penalty area with a couple of shots coming in from Murray and Robbie (along with an optimistic handball appeal) before Salvesen smuggled the ball clear. Almost immediately, the ball was up the other end and a simple ball through the middle of our 'hesitant' defence saw the Salvesen striker in on goals. Jonny slipped and the striker reached the ball first to finish well and put Salvesen 1 goal up.

Lewis was looking sharp and working really hard down our right and made a couple of good runs, linking well with Shaun but the big Salvesen defenders were showing that there was going to be no easy way through in this game. The action then switched to the other end and a long cross from our right saw a Salvesen attacker put his header just over the bar.

However, the second goal followed quickly and it was a carbon copy to the first with a high ball through the centre of our defence falling between the defenders and Jonny. Salvesen reacted quicker than we did and we were 2 down which didn't feel like a fair reflection of the first 15 minutes.

ACO needed something back quickly and Lewis again made a great run down the right before pulling the ball back well but no one from ACO had gambled and the ball went across goals and was cleared. Tom and Murray then combined to put Lewis in on the keeper but the keeper stood up well and he saved Lewis's shot. Salvesen were still creating chances and Jonny had to make a sharp save to prevent a third before ACO had another couple of chances themselves. Firstly Lewis played Ross in through the middle and it looked like he was away but the defenders were quick and they got back to crowd out the ACO striker. Next Harry made a great run to the byeline and did the right thing by cutting the ball back - Louis and Murray were both on hand for the tap-in but a great piece of work by the Salvesen keeper at his near post put the ball out for a corner. Half time arrived with ACO 2 down - which didn't seem an accurate reflection of the play.
Half Time: Salvesen BC ... 2  AC Oxgangs ... 0

The second half began with a period of play which was lacking in meaningful goalmouth action - both sides were struggling to get any tempo going and the defences at both ends of the park were well on top. The most exciting event of the first 10 minutes of the half was an attempt by one of ACO's youngest supporters to remove the corner flag.

Slowly ACO picked up the pace and Tom played a great ball over the defence for Harry to run onto. His speed took him clear of the defence but the keeper stopped the shot and the chance was gone. However ACO were building up some momentum now and Campbell and Lewis were seeing a lot of ball on the right wing - Lewis almost got Harry in but the keeper was out quickly. Eventually, ACO opened up the defence with a slick passing move. Sam found Tom on the left, he cut inside and played the ball to Shaun in centre midfield who played a great ball through to Harry who sped clear of the defence. This time Harry made no mistake and he finished well to bring it back to 2-1.

The rest of the game saw ACO set up camp in the Salvesen half and Murray came close with a shot across the Salvesen goals but despite the best efforts from the boys, the second goal wouldn't come and ACO slipped to defeat.
Full Time: Salvesen BC ... 2  AC Oxgangs ... 1

In truth, this was not a great performance. ACO were caught cold with a couple of 'sloppy' goals early on and despite us creating the better chances in the remainder of the game, we couldn't quite do enough to turn it around.

Scorer: Harry

Man of the Match: Goes to Lewis who played really well (particularly in the first half). He worked hard up and down the right hand side and created several chances for himself and others. Well played Lewis.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

ACO had a quick opportunity to get the Musselburgh result out of their system with a tough game against Hutchie Vale. The morning was cold and windy and this combined with the muddy pitch was always going to make the game a bit scrappy and so it proved. The ACO starting line up showed one positional shift with Tom pushing up into left midfield and Sam moving to left back. Almost immediately, Tom and Louis exchanged passes to put Tom away but he was just offside. At the other end, the Hutchie right winger swung over a cross which found a Hutchie head but Jonny held comfortably.

Then a series of sharp passes between Sam, Tom and Louis saw the ball played to Murray just outside the box. His clever return pass played Tom in and this time the flag stayed down. With the keeper rushing out, Tom played the ball wide of the keeper and inside the far post to claim the lead. The next 10 minutes saw ACO’s best spell of the game with chances being created down left and right wings. Tom and Sam combined for Tom to square to Elliot who brought a great save out of the keeper. Harry, patrolling the right wing, then played in Ross but the keeper closed down the through ball. Shaun and Tom then combined to play in Ross who had a shot which produced another great save from the Hutchie keeper. Rob then played in Shaun who was closing in on goal and just about to shoot when a great piece of defending from Hutchie whipped the ball off his toes.

At the other end, Hutchie almost equalised when Robbie had to clear from the onrushing striker and from the resulting corner Cammy cleared one off the line to preserve the ACO lead. The action quickly shifted back up the other end and Murray, who was having a great game in the centre of the park, played a slide rule pass into Ross who shot across the keeper but agonisingly wide of the far post. Half time came with ACO 1-0 up but in truth we had created enough chances to have been 3 or 4 up.
Half Time: AC Oxgangs ... 1  Hutchison Vale Colts ... 0

The second half started with ACO on the attack and Lewis pushed a shot just wide before Hutchie enjoyed their best spell of the game without really creating a clear cut chance. ACO saw off the Hutchie spell and Campbell created the next chance for ACO by winning the ball in midfield and passing to Murray who found Shaun free in the box but the shot was straight at the keeper. From a corner, Lewis had a shot cleared off the line and Murray’s follow up was deflected wide – the comfort of a second goal wasn’t coming and Hutchie showed they needed watching by creating a shooting chance which thankfully was saved well by Jonny. Next up was Harry who sped to the byeline and cut the ball back for Louis but a Hutchie foot got in to divert the ball away for a corner.

The last few minutes became a bit of a stalemate with ACO struggling to clear their lines. Hutchie were pushing on to try and get the equaliser and they had a couple of chances – one from a free kick which went just wide and one which Jonny saved low to his right but ACO weren’t going to let another lead slip away and deservedly claimed the victory.
Full Time: AC Oxgangs ... 1  Hutchison Vale Colts ... 0

ACO created enough chances to have won this game comfortably but didn’t take them and so whilst we should have been out of sight, Hutchie were in the game right until the final whistle. We got away with it today but more clinical finishing will be needed to ensure we close out games like this in a more convincing manner.

Scorer: Tom

Man of the Match: On a more positive note, the boys responded well today and they all put in a hard shift on a sapping pitch. Tom had a great first half, took his goal well and combined really well with Sam at left back to create a number of chances whilst Louis continued his recent good form with another good display but the Man of the Match today goes to Murray who worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield and produced some great passes to create chances for his strikers and midfielders. Well done Murray, well done the whole team.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

If ever a match deserved to be labelled with the cliché of “a game of two halves”, then this was it. I’m still trying to work out how ACO managed to lose this game from 2-0 up at half time and 2-1 up with a couple of minutes to go, but lose it they did. And it all started so promisingly…….

The first half saw ACO slowly gain the upper hand after a fairly even start. Louis was playing well and almost got on the end of a long ball from Shaun but the keeper just beat him to it. Louis then turned provider after Callum won the ball in midfield, played the ball to Louis who squared it across the penalty area for Lewis to finish and put ACO 1 up. The chances kept coming for ACO and Harry warmed the keeper’s hands with a blistering shot - his first touch after coming on and Louis skipped past a couple of tackles only to fire his shot over the bar. Eventually the second goal did come and it was a great team goal. Harry got the ball on the edge of his own box and played the ball long to Louis who took the ball to the byeline before crossing for Ross to tap in and double ACO’s lead. At the other end the ACO defence was looking solid and had restricted Musselburgh to half chances.

The half ended with another ACO attack. Tom and Ross combined down the left to free Louis but the shot slipped just the wrong side of the post and so halftime came with ACO 2 up and looking comfortable.
Half Time: Musselburgh Windsor ... 0  AC Oxgangs ... 2

Musselburgh were quick out of the blocks in the second half and were pushing ACO hard but the defence still held firm and the lead could have been increased when Callum played Harry in – the shot was right to left across the keeper and was inches away from the far post.

Musselburgh then won a free kick on their right and ACO lost concentration as an astute ball was played quickly through the centre of the defence. The first shot came back off the post but there was nothing anyone could do about the follow up and Musselburgh were back in the game. The momentum was with Musselburgh now and ACO were struggling to create much and Cammy did well to clear from a goal mouth scramble after Musselburgh hit the post.

The attacks were coming one after another and Sam and Cammy in the middle of the defence were playing really well to try and stem the tide. ACO almost managed to seal the win on a rare break out when Lewis created the chance for Ross but in a carbon copy of Harry’s earlier chance the ball went right to left across the keeper but slipped the wrong side of the post. As full time approached, the pressure on the ACO defence eventually told when Jonny was (correctly) adjudged to have brought down the striker in the box and the penalty was put away past Jonny.

That was bad enough but almost immediately Musselburgh came back up the field, a cross was slung over and no-one from ACO put a head on it to clear it and the striker cracked the ball past Jonny with the last kick of the game. Stunned silence from the ACO supporters – no one could quite believe what they had just seen! Credit for Musselburgh for coming out second half and working really hard to close us down all over the park but our play second half was not up to the normal standards – too many players lost concentration at key times or ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes.

Hopefully the boys will learn from this defeat and understand no game is won until the final whistle blows and in this league, they need to match teams for workrate and that defending starts with the strikers and midfielders.
Full Time: Musselburgh Windsor ... 3  AC Oxgangs ... 2

Scorers: Lewis, Ross

Man of the Match: Louis played really well up front but Man of the Match this week is shared by Cammy and Sam in the centre of defence who held firm against attack after attack for 59 of the 60 minutes and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

After the disappointing performance against Loanhead three weeks ago this was an important win. Back-to-back defeats would have been a setback for ACO, who are full of confidence and expectation after their good start to the season. That said, ACO have had more satisfying victories than this one for they never managed to take a stranglehold on the game. Vics always had an air of danger about them, especially on the break, and were never out of it until the third goal went in 10 minutes before the end. If there was a difference between them, it was that ACO were just that bit cleverer on the ball up front, and always seemed to have more options than the home side when they went on the attack. Too many options, some might say, for there is a tendency for the guys to take perhaps one touch, or pass, too many when they should be letting fly. But goals are goals and all credit to midfield stalwart Murray who turned ace poacher to grab a brace and put ACO well on the road to victory.

It was a smashing morning for football with just a slight nip in the air and the underfoot conditions soft but not too heavy despite the recent rain.

The first 10 minutes belonged to Vics, their big front men probing the ACO defence without much success albeit there was an early scare in the fifth minute when a defensive slip allowed in Vics with just Jonny to beat. The goalie - who had an excellent morning - stood big and the defence recovered to marshall the ball to safety.

That seemed to kickstart ACO and after 10 minutes they made their first real break. Tom, playing left-back and looking very much up for the challenge, set off on a searing run through the middle. His pass to Shaun was timed to perfection but the striker just failed to get his shot in. ACO were pushing on now and they nearly opened the scoring minutes later when slick work from Shaun and Harry found Louis in on goal but his shot slewed past the right-hand post.

Then Tom proved ACO's saviour when Vics' big No 9 escaped through the middle and bore down on Jonny's goal. The striker had several yards of a start but in a lung-bursting chase, Tom caught up just before the trigger was pulled on the edge of the box and killed the danger with a perfectly timed tackle. Straight out of the top drawer.

In the 15th minute Louis, who was having an excellent game, made headway up the right and slung over a cross which was met crisply by Rob but unfortunately the ball found the side-netting. Vics almost got the breakthrough three minutes from half-time when their No.6 - another big customer - was in on goal but fired past the post.

Then came a period of play, either side of the interval, in which ACO stamped their mark on the game. With the first 30 minutes all but up Louis worked the defence on the right and got to the goal-line from where he managed to whip in a cross. Shaun flicked on and there was Muzz, perfectly stationed in front of goal, to blast into the net.
Half Time: Newcraighall Leith Vics ... 0  AC Oxgangs ... 1

ACO went straight onto the attack after the break and following a goalmouth stramash - don't you just love goalmouth stramashes! - Fin almost managed to dig out the ball from the keeper's grasp before the ball spun loose across goal and was cleared. ACO were not to be denied though and two minutes later they had doubled their tally. Callum won the ball and fed Harry whose shot was fumbled by the keeper. And there was Murray, again stationed in front of goal, to slot in his second. Kris Boyd eat your heart out!

Now the game got difficult as Vics pressed forward. They knocked on the door several times but Jonny was reading the game well and snuffed out dangerous long balls on numerous occasions. At this stage ACO were finding it awkward to get the ball out of defence. It was almost reminiscent of the Sevens days when the guys struggled on occasion to get ball out of the safety zone. Several times poor goal kicks or clearances allowed the opposition in but they couldn't take advantage. However, with 11 minutes remaining ACO ended it as a contest from the penalty spot. Shaun, always a thorn in the opposition flesh, was hauled down in the box and Harry stepped up to rifle in the award. Six minutes later, Harry was put clean through in classic fashion but shot past the post.

With the clock ticking down Vics got their consolation when they managed to scramble in the ball from a corner. It spoiled the excellent Jonny's chance of a clean sheet. But was their time at the other end for the bold Muzz to grab his hat-trick? With one minute remaining, he picked the ball up 20 yards out slightly to the right of goal. It was a man-of-the-match moment but his left - foot shot went agonisingly past the post.
Full Time: Newcraighall Leith Vics ... 1  AC Oxgangs ... 3

Man of the Match: Competent performances from all the boys in a match which never quite reached the dizzy heights. The usual crisp front-to-back passing movements were in short supply with much of the game being played on the break. Solid at the back, as always, with all the defenders coping pretty well with a big Vics attack. Tom had a terrific spell in the first half and Louis and Shaun buzzed around up front. But for a secure and commanding performance between the sticks, and for his two superb goals from the midfield this week's MoM is shared between Jonny and Muzz. Well done guys.

Martin Sheach

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

After last week's great result, expectations were running high that ACO could take the form from last week into this game against Loanhead. Hmmmmm.

The early exchanges were scrappy and it was Loanhead who pushed ACO back. ACO were struggling to string the passes together and Jonny was the busier goalkeeper and he had to make a couple of saves from long range Loanhead efforts.

Eventually ACO did get a foothold in the game and produced their best spell of the whole match and created two or three good chances. Rob and Elliot combined to set Shaun away but the shot was blocked. Almost immediately Shaun had another shot which was cleared off the line. From the resulting corner, Tom flicked the header on at the near post but the ball sailed across goals and harmlessly past the far post.

The match then descended into a midfield stalemate. Loanhead looked well drilled and were giving our midfielders no time on the ball - their tactic of loading the midfield with big lads (which had worked so well for us at Leith) was working well for the opposition today. Saying that, ACO restricted Loanhead to long range efforts and Campbell had a storming first half to break up play in the right defensive area and the defence never really looked like being torn apart. One late scare in the half saw Cammie having to clear the ball after Jonny blocked the first effort but ACO got to half time level.
Half Time: AC Oxgangs ... 0  Loanhead .. 0

Harry, Louis, Lewis and Fin came on and ACO produced a half chance for Elliot after a break by Harry and Louis but the keeper saved easily. The second half was proving to be as scrappy and shapeless as the first but then came the moment which shaped the game. ACO lost the ball just outside their penalty area and 1 pass later the Loanhead striker was in and he slipped the ball past Jonny to put Loanhead ahead.

The next few minutes were not great from ACO's perspective - the goal really seemed to get to some of the boys and a long ball through the middle put Loanhead in again but Jonny saved brilliantly. However, the second goal wasn't long in coming and ACO failed to clear a corner and the ball was swept home by Loanhead.

The game then got even scrappier (if that were possible) with a lot of interruptions to play and some "antics" from both teams. ACO did have a couple of chances, the best falling to Harry after Tom played a great ball through the middle to set Harry away. Harry tried to take the ball around the keeper but the keeper did well and smothered the ball low down.
Full Time: AC Oxgangs ... 0  Loanhead .. 2

This felt like a real case of one step forward and two steps back as the team failed to match last week's high quality performance. The scoreline doesn't lie and the better team on the day won. Our passing wasn't good, there was a tendency to take on one man too many and too many of the boys had an off day. The boys need to learn from this, listen to the coaches at Thursday training and put right what went wrong in this game. 

Man of the Match: Our best performances were at the back today with Jonny pulling off a couple of great saves and looking secure against the long rangers too. Both full backs played well too - Tom did well, won his tackles and headers and almost got Harry in with a great through ball but today's MOTM is Campbell who had a storming first half and was almost as good in the second. So Campbell shades it from Tom and Jonny. Well played Campbell.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

Some of the ACO parents struggled to find the pitches for this game but once there, all 16 boys put on a fantastic performance which saw them come away with a well earned (and well deserved) victory against one of the League's top teams.

ACO started slowly with some confusion in the defence almost letting Leith in straight from kick off but the boys survived and slowly began to work their way into the game. Even so ACO spent most of the first 10 minutes defending and it was from a rare break out that Ross and Shaun forced a corner which Elliot fired across the goals but no-one could get on the end of the cross.

At the other end, Leith were creating chances and the defence was having to work doubly hard to keep Leith out. Jonny made one great save and some good tackling and blocking kept the score sheet blank. ACO's first real chance came when Tom fed Rob who flicked the ball onto Shaun who found himself away and bearing down on goals. He slipped the ball past the keeper but unfortunately past the far post too.

For the next few minutes, ACO were the team on top and Rob had a shot cleared off the line before the breakthrough came. Elliot delivered one of his trademark corners and the header from Ross came back off the post. In the resulting scramble, Robbie managed to slot the ball home to give ACO a well deserved lead. This was ACO's best spell of the half and we almost had a second when a long kick from Jonny was flicked on by Shaun to find Murray racing through the middle. Again the ball was slipped past the keeper but again it just went wide.

Leith then caught ACO on the break when the tricky left winger sped away and looped over a cross which Jonny got a hand on to divert the ball away from goal. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded off Tom's head to a Leith forward who had time to pick his spot from close in. A bit of an unlucky goal to give away but it didn't stop the boys from continuing to create chances and Ross and Murray both had chances before half time to restore the lead but the keeper dealt with their shots and halftime came with the game level at 1-1. The first half was a 100% improvement over last week with workrate, the right attitude and skill on display from all the boys. Robbie had been immense in his midfield role and after a slow start the boys had more than matched Leith in the first 30 minutes.
Half Time: Leith Athletic ... 1  AC Oxgangs ... 1

Halftime saw Fin, Louis, Lewis and Callum come on for Rob, Shaun, Ross and Murray. Lewis almost made an instant impression when Elliot played him in through the inside right position but the keeper made a good block. Lewis was involved again after another good run saw him brought down just outside the box but the free kick was cleared. At the other end, Leith were still dangerous and Cammie cut out one flowing move which threatened to break through the defence and a combination of Cammie and Campbell cleared the ball after a dangerous 6 yard box scramble. The tricky Leith left winger then did manage to get through the defence with a great run but Campbell forced him wide and his shot only found the side netting. ACO responded by forcing a corner and once again Elliot swung over a great cross which this time Sam met with a header which the keeper pushed out but only as far as Lewis who hit the ball high into the net to regain the lead for ACO.

Leith responded as we expected with a period of pressure but Callum, Elliot and Robbie were wining their share of the 50/50s and the centre midfield battle was a stalemate. The centre back pairing of Cammie and Sam were solid and swept up well behind the midfielders. There was no joy for Leith down the flanks either as Tom, with Fin in front of him and Campbell, with Louis or Lewis in front of him, kept the back door closed and there were no clear chances for Leith. In fact it was ACO who were creating the better chances and Tom and Fin combined to put Harry away through the middle but the keeper was out quickly. Louis then gathered a kick out from Jonny and played it to Harry who took the ball to the edge of the Leith area but no one wanted to take the shot and Leith cleared.

The last real chance of the game saw Harry race away down the right and fire in a great shot across goal but unfortunately no one was there to finish it off. The ref blew shortly afterwards to end a thoroughly absorbing and well reffed contest.
Full Time: Leith Athletic ... 1  AC Oxgangs ... 2

What a performance and what a result!! All 16 boys played fantastically to produce this result. They showed they could play good football against a very good team but they also showed that they could go toe to toe when the tackles started flying and some tempers started fraying. 

Scorers : Robbie, Lewis.

Man of the Match: It would seem appropriate to give the Man of the Match to all 16 of them because they all deserve it but one performance was special. The decision to play Robbie in the back middle was spot on and Robbie responded with a performance full of skill, tackling, passing, tracking back and he even managed a goal!! So Robbie takes the plaudits today. The other 15 were pretty good too!!

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

ACO suffered a morning of frustration as they slipped to their first defeat of the season in their opening "home" game at Roseburn. ACO aren't the first team to be fazed by the quality of Hutchie's play; and they won't be the last.

In some ways, today's game was the reverse of last week when ACO took an early lead against Edina and never really looked back as they secured their defence and made the best of their chances up front. Hutchie did the same, popping one in before the early sparring was over and then hitting ACO with another first-half one-two as the home side struggled to get off the ropes.

The inabilty of ACO to secure good ball in midfield was the root of much of the frustration. Time and time again passes would not go to feet, while loose or 50/50 balls were invariably scooped up by hungry Hutchie who were then quick to launch attacks down the flanks.

The game had not even settled into a pattern before Hutchie scored after five minutes. There didn't appear to be much danger when the wee No.7 picked up the ball on the left just outside the box but in a whisker he unleashed a vicious shot which gave Jonny no chance.

ACO were stunned, but much as they tried they could not find that killer pass or quick break that would have opened up what was proving to be a resolute Hutchie defence. ACO's defence were not half bad themselves and it is credit to the back four that Jonny had little to do by way of shot-stopping in the first period. Sam, in particular, was putting in a terrific shift as he mopped up everything that was thrown at him and was working hard to create openings for the midfielders. The coaches would have been happy to get to half-time with a one-goal deficit, but it was not to be as Hutchie extended their lead after 20 minutes. Frustratingly (there's that word again!) it was from one of ACO's rare attacks that Hutchie sprung the counter that led to the second goal. Lewis had gone on a scurrying run and found Shaun who himself beat several defenders before possession was lost. With ACO pushed up, Hutchie stormed down the left and the ball was dispatched into the net in jig time.

Eight minutes later and it was three. Hutchie again found freedom down the left and a high ball was lobbed into the box. It was anybody's ball but the way the game was going you knew it was going to fall to a Hutchie boot. It did and the big No.10 stabbed it past a helpless Jonny to give ACO the proverbial mountain to climb.

ACO then mounted their best attack of the game just before the break as they fought to get back into the match. A good phase of passing found Sam on his own at the left-edge of the box. The big defender dragged the ball back onto his good foot and sent in a wicked shot. The goalie was beaten but the post came to the rescue and the ball rebounded into play. Ross latched on but his drive was diverted for a corner. Fin slung in a decent one and the ball broke to Lewis, who spooned over.

It was a promising finish to the half, but the shadow of Murrayfield's giant stands loomed over the guys as they gathered for their interval debriefing from Pete.
Half Time: AC Oxgangs ... 0 Hutchison Vale ... 3

Harry, Elliot, Louis and Rob came on as ACO tried to find the formula to open up Hutchie. They opened brightly, working hard to get H into play but it was Hutchie who nearly increased their lead as ACO were again caught on the break. With the striker clean through on goal, Jonny came racing out to block and, as the ball spun in the air, there was the reliable Sam to head clear. Three minutes later Jonny was called into action again as he beat away a sharp shot across his bows that was netbound.

ACO were still struggling to break out of midfield and their best chance of the half came when Fin released Harry down the right. The Rocket had the beatings of the left-back as he bore down on goal but his shot was blocked and the ball bobbled loose in the box demanding to be struck. Struck it was, but weakly, and the Hutchie keeper gathered comfortably.

ACO's defence stood firm for the rest of the game - Robbie showing great strength - and Hutchie were held to a goalless second half. It could have been better - it could have been a lot worse. On another day, the passing might have been crisper, the ball might have broken kinder, the "dig factor" might have been a bit higher, but the guys should not dwell on disappointment. Hutchie, as always, will be there to be beaten another day. Thoughts now turn to next week - and Leith.
Full Time: AC Oxgangs ... 0 Hutchison Vale ... 3

Man of the Match: With ACO being forced to play the game on the back foot for much of the match it has to be a defender. Captain Cammy was cool throughout, Campbell gave his usual 100% and Robbie proved a powerhouse, particularly in the second half. But for a terrific first- half performance, Sam gets the nod this week.

Martin Sheach

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

This match was tougher than the scoreline would suggest. While the battle for control of midfield raged throughout the 60 minutes, neither side could say they won it outright. Victory came because ACO were just that little bit more secure in defence and possessed the guile and weaponry to hurt Edina up front.

The start could not have been better. With just four minutes on the clock Elliot picked up the ball on the right and squared to Louis who found Callum a yard or two outside the box. Caz took a couple of steps forward and drilled the ball through the defence and into the net.

Were the floodgates about to open? Well, no. Edina got quickly into their stride and were pressing forward in numbers - big numbers, with as many as five pushing on. Taking a direct route through the middle was their preferred option and there was a close call when they broke through, but the danger was snuffed out.

Edina's blanket attacks did leave them open to the counter and on several occasions Rob's probing long left-footers threatened to unlock the home defence.

Edina came close midway through the half when a rasping shot from distance grazed the bar and then ACO survived a goalmouth stramash, Cammy eventually clearing the lines.

With halftime beckoning, coach Pete decided it was time to wheel out the big gun. The Red Rocket came on and within a minute ACO had doubled their lead. Elliot was again involved in the build up, feeding Harry, who made no mistake.

Edina were stung into action and quickly pulled back a goal in the 26th minute. For once ACO's defence was caught out when a lofted ball from the left was captured by a Hibs forward, who went clean through to give Jonny no chance.

Harry nearly restored the two-goal advantage two minutes later when he was put in by the hard-working Lewis, but this time the keeper brought off a great save.
Half Time: Edina Hibs ... 1 AC Oxgangs ... 2

The second half opened at 100 miles an hour and Jonny had to look smart early on to bring off a fantastic save.

Then, six minutes in, came that defining moment in a match which decides the outcome. Harry was again the executioner but it was Sam who threw him the rope. The big defender is revelling in his role at centre-back and with the twin terriers of Cammy and Campbell and the grit and stamina of Tom supporting him at the back, he has been finding more freedom to roam further upfield. It was from such a foray that he found himself with the ball almost at halfway. He didn't need to look up as he stroked the ball into no-man's land for he knew that the Rocket was lurking in the vicinity. In the vicinity? Talk about coming from deep! In a turn of pace that made Usain Bolt look like a plodder, Harry blazed on to the ball, leaving defenders trailing in his wake as he comfortably beat the keeper. If there's a pacier guy on the ball in this league then we have yet to see him.

Five minutes later and ACO entered the comfort zone when another long ball, this time from Fin, found Ross, who coolly slotted home. Another great goal.

The match then threatened to get bogged down in midfield as Murray, Lewis and Elliot battled for superiority, and a little bit of niggle developed as it reached its final stages. But there was still time for a bit of drama. With three minutes remaining, Elliot delivered one of his trademark corners and Ross's shot was cleared off the line. Two minutes later, a rare defensive slip allowed Edina in on goal but Jonny was up to the task with another fine stop.

Ross then showed fantastic composure as he took the ball on a run from his own half before launching the ball over the head of the advancing keeper only to watch it creep past the wrong side of the post.

With the ref looking at his watch, Ross again took on the defence, rounding the left-back before being brought down as he was about to unleash a shot. The ref pointed to the spot and Campbell was called from the depths of the defence to do the honours. The wee fellow marched up and dispatched a beauty high into the net to round of another great performance by the lads.
Full Time: Edina Hibs ... 1 AC Oxgangs ... 5

Scorers: Callum, Harry 2, Ross, Campbell

Man of the Match: Why is this so hard? Because the consistency of performances throughout the squad makes it so. Two contenders this week then. Sam, for showing much adventure and that wonderful pass for the third goal, and Harry for the way he turned the game when he came on.
Mmmm . . . . . . ! With his two goals and that blistering run, the Red Rocket just shades it.

Martin Sheach

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

An early (09.30) KO saw the boys rolling into Currie at the wrong side of 09.00 to see if they could continue the promising start they had made to the new season.

The first few minutes of the game were even, with play confined to the middle of the park and both sides struggling to create a clear cut chance. The first meaningful action saw ACO fall behind to a great free kick after the Currie playmaker made a break through the middle and was brought down. The free kick was placed right into the top corner - not much Jonny could do about that one. The game continued to be tight but slowly ACO began to exert a measure of control in the midfield with Callum and Murray working hard to keep ACO on the front foot.

The first real ACO chance fell to Louis after Fin played him in but the keeper was quick off his line to smother the danger. Shaun then put a shot wide but it wasn't long before he got another chance. Tom and Fin worked the ball up the left wing and won a corner for ACO. Elliot swung in a corner which put the ball right in the mixer. A couple of ricochets later and Shaun fired the ball home to put ACO back on level terms. Just a couple of minutes later, we found ourselves in the lead. Shaun chased a lost cause to the byeline and pulled the ball back to Tom who found Rob. Rob swept the ball across the edge of the penalty area and Elliot hit a great shot high into the roof of the net to put the boys into the lead.

At the other end, Cammy made a timely interception to stop a Currie break and Jonny had to make a low block to keep the lead intact. The last action of the half saw another good move involving Rob and Sam result in a shot for Murray but the defender charged it down and half time arrived with the score at 2-1 to ACO and the boys deserving of the lead.
Half-Time : Currie BC ... 1  AC Oxgangs ... 2

The second half began much like the first half ended with ACO pushing on. Lewis almost got Louis away but the Currie defence closed the door as he ran in on goals. However, the next goal came at the other end. Currie somehow worked a 2 man overlap down their left and the left winger found himself in on goals. Jonny made a fantastic block and ball was smuggled away but only to find a Currie midfielder who, from way out, scooped a shot high into the net to bring the scores back level.

The boys responded well to the setback of the goal and continued to play good football. Harry played a lovely low cross which took out the whole Currie defence and found Shaun with just the keeper to beat. However, the keeper did his job and made a good save. Elliot put the resulting corner right in the danger area again and after some bobbles and miskicks, Murray slammed the ball home to regain the lead. The next goal came soon afterwards. Tom and Rob played a neat one-two on the left to set Tom away and into the Currie penalty box. The tackle came in from behind and down went Tom - it seemed an easy decision for the ref and Elliot put away the resulting penalty to give ACO the luxury of a two goal lead.

ACO were still creating chances and Harry played in Ross but the keeper came out and blocked. Tom then made a run down the left and cut the ball back to Shaun but the shot sailed wide. At the ACO end, Sam had to make a last ditch sliding tackle to keep out Currie. Late on, a long range shot from Currie deceived Jonny and his defenders and bounced over the keeper and into the net to make the last few minutes exciting.

Fortunately, there were no further scares and ACO ended the game on the attack with Harry forcing a good save from the Currie keeper.
Full-Time : Currie BC ... 3  AC Oxgangs ... 4

Scorers : Elliot (2), Shaun, Murray

Man of the Match : A lot of positives today with the defence of Campbell, Cammy, Sam and Tom looking secure and deserving of a mention but today's MOTM is Elliot (who just shades it from Murray) for his general play in centre mid which was topped off by his 2 goals and by his ever dangerous corners which led to the other 2 ACO scores. Well done Elliot and well done to all the boys for another encouraging display.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

If the foundations for the season were laid with last week's excellent performance against Tynecastle, then the four walls and the roof were built on Sunday as ACO did a decent demolition job on Bonnyrigg. The fixtures and fittings are pretty well in place, too, and the most difficult task for coach Pete is just how to arrange all his quality furniture!

Pete's rotational policy can make you dizzy as he whisks players on and off the pitch but there is a depth, flexibility and fitness to the squad which allow him to keep everything fresh without jeopardising the shape of the team.

It is good to see that the work ethic and slick passing football instilled during the "sevens years" has carried on into 11s and from Sunday's evidence alone it should be an exciting season for everyone on and off the park.

ACO had this match in their grasp from the off and only loosened their grip for ten minutes at the beginning the second half before regaining control and finishing with a flourish. The early forays were down the right with Campbell linking well with Murray, Lewis and Elliot. Bonnyrigg showed they could break with pace down the flanks but any danger was snuffed out easily, with captain Cammy marshalling his back line of Campbell, Callum and Sam superbly. And with Ben shouting the odds and acting as "sweeper", there was no way through for the home side.

The first real chance for ACO came when play switched to the left and a neat one-two between Shaun and Sam allowed Fin to put in Lewis whose shot was blocked. ACO were settling into a solid passing game but it was from a lucky break that they opened the scoring. A ball in no-man's land in the centre circle somehow popped out to Lewis who was left with only the keeper to beat. The lad got a hand to the ball but couldn't stop it nestling in the net.

The boys moved up a gear now and perhaps should have scored a second when Shaun was put clear on goal. The keeper came out to block his shot and the ball ballooned up in the air. Fin's left-foot lob was goal-bound but a defender got it away.

Then the always skilful Louis showed the defence a clean pair of heels to get a shot away. They say you make your own luck and that was proving the case when the second goal duly arrived. A high ball into the danger area from Louis should have been meat and drink for the home rearguard but the central defender sent a huge looping backward header over his keeper's head and into the net.

As halftime approached Tom, Ross, Harry and Robbie all joined the action as Fin, Shaun, Elliot and Callum were rested. Harry was looking sharp in right mid and was finding Ross with some decent long balls, one of which had Ross bearing down on goal only to be ruled offside. Ross got his reward just before the break when Harry cut back the ball into a crowded area and the striker squeezed the ball home.
Half-Time : Bonnyrigg Rose ... 0  AC Oxgangs ... 3

Bonnyrigg's heads refused to go down on the restart and they enjoyed their most fruitful period of the game. Their rangy right midfielder was working hard to release his front men and Ben was called into action on several occasions. But when the fourth goal came, any prospects of a home comeback were quashed. Fin's diagonal pass found Harry on the right. The Red Arrow skipped past the left-back and drilled the ball low past the diving keeper.

Harry and Ross linked again as ACO extended their lead before Bonnyrigg captured a goal from a perfectly struck 25-yard free kick which soared over Ben's head. The five-goal margin was soon restored when Fin showed nice feet to feed Shaun, who stayed cool to slot home. Shaun nabbed a brace when hesitant defending allowed him in on the keeper and he made no mistake 
from six yards.
Full-Time : Bonnyrigg Rose ... 1  AC Oxgangs ... 7

Scorers : Lewis, Louis, Ross 2, Harry, Shaun 2

Man of the Match : This was a terrific team effort with all the boys contributing to a great victory so a it's a collective pat on the head this week.

Martin Sheach

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

A waterlogged Saughton Park brought us back to St. Mark's for our opening 11-a-side League fixture against Tynecastle and with a couple of encouraging friendly victories in the bag, everyone was keen to start the League season well. It is always tough against Tynecastle and today was no exception but the football played by ACO was excellent and the boys can think themselves a little unlucky not to win this game.

The game started with Tynecastle pushing ACO back and forcing a couple of corners which we managed to clear. ACO's first chance came when Elliot played a long ball into the box but the Tynecastle keeper cleared. Sam and Tom then combined on the left to set Tom away but his low cross was easily cleared. The next ACO chance fell to Lewis after a great pass from Ross put him in on goals but the alert Tynie keeper was out to block the shot. Murray then fired in a low cross but there were no takers. At the other end, Jonny produced a great save to keep the scores level after a long ball beat the ACO defence.

Tynecastle were using the wind well but Cammy and Robbie were coping with most of what was coming their way and an alert Jonny behind them was dealing with the rest. The end of the first quarter saw the scores level with Tynie perhaps shading the possession.

ACO began the second quarter well but went a goal down when a pass inside our fullback gave the striker time to crack in a great shot which Jonny managed to tip upwards but the ball hit the underside of the bar and crept in. This seemed to rock the boys a little as minutes later, Jonny had to pull of a fantastic save to stop a second goal. Slowly though ACO got back into the game and some great skills by Lewis forced a corner. From the corner Fin had a shot cleared off the line after Louis set him up.

Some of the football ACO played in this spell was great with a quick passing movement between Tom and Lewis playing in Louis who shot just wide. Shaun then played a great ball to Fin who was through the middle but again the Tynie keeper saved the shot. The pressure from ACO was building but a goal just wouldn't come - the last chance of the half saw Sam find the keeper from close in after a great flick on from Elliot.

The 3rd quarter saw Tynecastle push us back for 5 to 10 minutes but the defence, marshalled well by Cammy, held firm although Jonny had to push a long range shot around the post. However, the rest of the quarter was all ACO with Callum and Elliot exerting control in the midfield and this resulted in a number of chances for ACO. Elliot had a shot headed off the line before Fin found the keeper with a shot. Lewis then played in Ross who shot agonisingly past the post. Fin was playing really well down the left, working hard up and down in attack and defence. His next contribution was in defence and he had to clear a goalbound shot off the line after ACO were caught on the break by Tynie. In defence, Cammy was picking off the Tynie through balls in his usual assured manner and Robbie and Campbell were crunching into the tackles to break up the Tynecastle attacks. However, at the other end, the goal wouldn't come.

The final quarter began with ACO still trailing although the ACO supporters (unbiased of course) could hardly believe we weren't at least level. Finally, the goal came when Fin played the ball in from the left and the ball found it's way to Shaun who sidestepped a defender before curling the ball into the top right hand corner.

Game on and at least 15 minutes left to force a winner!! The chances kept coming for ACO and Tom and Ross played a 1-2 to set Ross away - his cross found Tom coming into the box but he couldn't get a clean shot away. Great work again from Ross this time found Fin but the shot again was blocked. No-one wanted to concede after working so hard to level and Robbie saved his teammates with a vital tackle after a Tynie corner. Louis then had a chance to win it when he was away through the middle and the shot was struck well and on target but the impressive Tynie keeper saved. Last chance for Harry to sneak a win at the end but the massed ranks of defenders cleared Harry's goal bound shot and the game ended 1-1.

It had been a thoroughly enjoyable game, played in a good spirit and hopefully enjoyed by both sets of supporters.

Full-Time : AC Oxgangs  ... 1  Tynecastle FC ... 1

Scorer : Shaun

Both teams had chances and both keepers made great saves and both teams had shots cleared off the line but on the balance of play ACO could and perhaps should have won this game - I certainly thought ACO had the better of 3 of the 4 quarter periods. Some of the passing and moving was excellent and the boys had to match up against a physically big team which they did. This result against a traditionally strong team should set the boys up well for the rest of the season.

Man of the Match : An easy decision today - it goes to Finlay who added tenacity and workrate to the skills we all know he has to produce a fantastic performance going forward and in defence. Well done Finlay.

Dave Embleton

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.