Rnd 10

Friday 11 June
Russell Vale 1 v 2 Balgownie

Balgownie had three new players from when we played them earlier in the season and it gave their defence a far more solid look. The blustery conditions played havoc with Russell Vale’s finishing and the passing in general was very sloppy in the first half. That said Russell Vale still created the better chances, Chris Behan set up Matthew Hennessy but his first time effort was deflected wide. Then Nathan Hennessy turned provider for Matt Nelson but his shot also went wide. The best move of the half was an accumulation of over a dozen passes and ended with Hayden Brown blasting his shot, once again just wide of the post. Russell Vale won numerous corners during the first half but failed to find the killer touch from any of them. Then right on the stroke of HT a dreadful defensive error gifted Balgownie’s striker a free run at goal to make it 0-1.

Straight from the restart Russell Vale took the game to Balgownie and Chris Behan had a fierce shot tipped over the bar. From Matt Nelson’s resulting corner Hayden Brown volleyed the ball into the back of the net to make it all square 1-1. Despite constant pressure from the Cobras for the next 10 mins they couldn’t find a second goal then disaster. From another slip up in the Russell Vale defence Balgownie capitalised to go 1-2 ahead. Soon after Gareth Garnon did well to push another Balgaownie effort over the bar and keep Russell Vale in the game. Matt Nelson went close a couple more times for the Cobras with his best chance coming right at the death but his snap shot from 8 yards flew over the top. It just wasn’t to be Russell Vale’s night and Balgownie were content to run the clock down. The lads had learnt some valuable lessons, that you can’t take anything for granted and the concentration has to be 100% at this level or you will get punished.