Pursuers 3 v 2 Club Sporting

Saturday 02 October 2004
Match report by Hugh Levins, Scottish Pun

On a day that both Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath sacked their managers after poor starts to the season Pursuers boss Femi Komolafe rung the changes after two straight league defeats. Out went Kane, Darren, Mohan, Mir and perhaps surprisingly C McLeish and in came Narey, Dawson, Lee, Byrne and O'Neil.

Despite being on the pitch a good 30 minutes before their opponents Pursuers again failed to hit the ground running and after 20 minute found themselves one down. A diagonal ball from the Pursuers left into the right hand side of the penalty area saw stand-in rightback Byrne caught in two minds and as he failed to meet the ball the Club Sporting winger drilled the ball high passed McKinnon.

0-1

After that goal Pursuers started to come back into the game and when Stewart chased a lost cause ball all the way to the touchline he settled in his most comfortable position (on his backside) and produce an inch perfect cross which was headed home by the powerful Lee.

1-1

Shortly after Pursuers were forced into a change when an injury to James saw the introduction of C McLeish. Pursuers continued to dominate mainly through the efforts of Gordon and J McLeish in the midfield. Chances fell to both Lee and Dawson but both were from distance and were comfortably held by the Club Sporting goalkeeper.

Half Time 1-1

After a half time team talk consisting of keeping the ball, movement and clearing our lines Pursuers found themselves 2-1 down 90 seconds after the re-start. A corner to Club Sporting came in from the Pursuers left as the ball came across the 6 yard box the referee failed to spot a clear foul on Narey who despite this managed to get his head on the ball but only managed to clear as far as the penalty spot. A Club Sporting midfielder then drove into the 6 yard box with the ball and was duly dumped on the ground by hatchet man Byrne (at least he was involved in two goals!). Club Sporting duly converted the penalty.

1-2

Despite finding themselves down again Pursuers continued to play the better football. After a week in which set pieces took president at training it was no surprise that the equaliser came from a corner. The ball was swept in form the left and was duly met by a powerful header from player manager F Komolafe which went passed the keeper and into the back of the net before he could move.

2-2

Pursuer shortly afterwards replace the tiring Lee with Darren. Pursuers continued to press forward and when J McLeish was sent free down the left, he cut inside and duly rifled the ball passed the keeper.

3-2

The next Pursuers chance fell the younger of the McLeish brothers when he found himself unmarked in the box he tried a spectacular volley but only managed a spectacular clearance! Disappointing free kicks from both Dawson and Gordon saw Pursuers fail to increase their lead at a time when they were dominating.
Pursuers spent the last 10 minutes of the game defending their own 18 yard box after Gordon was replaced by Mir. Last ditch tackles from Komolafe, Narey and O'Neil was Pursuers take 3 points for the first time this season.

This Saturday sees the Pursuers Victory wagon roll into Renfrew where they face last season's whipping bhoys Deanpark. Will the early kick-off still mean that Pursuers don't start till 10:30, find out first here!!

Hugh Levin, The Scottish Pun