Arbroath High School Fp's 2 Newport 3

Ahsfp's entertained Newport at Hercules Den last Saturday. After mixed fortunes in Scottish and North of Tay cups it was back to league business. It was Fp's first league game since the demolition of Arbroath Amateurs and they were looking to gain points on the top two teams who played each other on the same day.

 For the first time this season Manager Smith had an extremely depleted squad to pick from. Fenwick, Macintosh, Dall, G.Smith, D.Smith, Sharp, Kidd and Mike Gall were all unavailable for various reasons. This ment a first start for 17 year old Burness and 16 year old Buick, a first start for the long term injured Lees and a recall up from the 2nd team for Dave Brown. Fp's also welcomed back ex-player Danny Brown who was named as the only substitute.

 With conditions extremely soft underfoot it was always going to be difficult for either team to play attractive foootball. As a result the early exchanges were dominated by tackling, slipping and jumping rather than passing and shooting. However Fp's managed to open the scoring from their first well worked move.

 From a Newport attack Humphreys intercepted a through ball and then played an elegant left foot pass which found Ferrier on the left wing. He controlled and weighted a perfect through ball for striker GALL to run onto. He left his marker in his wake before delightfully chipping the ball into the far top corner.

 Unfortunately Fp's joy was short lived. A dangerous ball into the Fp's box was only half headed clear by Humphreys and was picked up in the area by a Newport forward who fired passed Saunderson.

 Riddell was then booked for a tackle in which he clearly won the ball but was then lucky not to see red when arguing his point to the referee.

 As both teams struggled to create openings the game became a typical winter season battle. This resulted in a moment of madness, totally out of character by Fp's Lees. From what seemed a fair tackle by both players Lees took exception and booted his opponent in the back whilst he was still on the ground. With the referee only yards away, he was left with no choice but to give Lees his marching orders.

 This gave the visitors a lift and Fp's were under pressure for the remainder of the half but stout defending by Humphreys and Riddell and an inspiring display in goals from Saunderson kept them at bay.

Half Time AHSFP's 1 Newport 1

To counter Newports one man advantage manager Smith decided attack was the best form of defence. A 3-4-2 formation was adopted with left back wilson moving to right midfield and young winger Buick moving up front. Initially this move worked wonders. Fp's began to press with youngster Buick causing havoc in the 'port defence. 'Port were dangerous on the break but the in form Saunderson was proving unbeatable in the Fp's goal. Fp's then regained the lead with a somewhat controversial goal.

 From a Newport clearance, Galls towering header found BUICK all alone, in what looked like an offside position by some 10 yards. To the teenagers credit he played to the whistle and expertly chipped the ball over the advancing 'Port 'keeper before blasting into the now open goal.

 Feeling rightly aggreived the Fifers began to get a grip on the match and the Fp's were camped in their own half. Fp's replaced the tiring Dave Brown with Danny Brown for some fresh legs. As the game reached the latter stages the Fp's rear guard just couldn't hold any longer. Typically this season the goal came from Fp's own possession. Burness, who hadn't put a foot wrong all game misplaced his pass and with everybody advancing Newport finally made it count. Riddell found himself against three attackers but was helpless as they worked the ball into the box and to their relief managed to get it passed Saunderson.

 Frustratingly Newports winner also came from the 'Fps possession. Mclaren and Ferrier were robbed at a short corner and Newports counter attack was swift. Riddell and Burness faced 4 attackers who again worked the ball well and although Saunderson saved the first effort another 'Port player was on hand to finish off any hopes of a point for the Fp's.

 Although the sending off had a massive bearing on the game, Fp's had too many players off their game against a Newport team struggling for form. With the top two teams drawing the Fp's missed a great oppertunity to close the gap to just a few points.

 The Fp's man of the match for the second week running was Paul Saunderson who is in the form of his life. A mention should also go to Riddell and Humphreys for excellent displays and also teenagers Buick and Burness who ran their hearts out for the cause.

Team:Saunderson, Wilson, Burness, Riddell, Humphreys, Ferrier(c), Buick, Brown, Mclaren, Gall, Lees & Brown.