Westmeath U17 21 Scotland U17 19 | |
04 March 2012 The Scotland U17 side went down to a narrow defeat to Westmeath U17 in the warm up match of their 2011 Ireland Tour onMonday 25 July 2011. The Scots made a good start whenMartin Bruceand Brennan MacDonald combined to win possession after just 2 minutes and the ball was played forward to Greg Matheson. TheScotlandcaptain was fouled as he shaped to shoot but he picked himself up to put the free over and give the visitors a (0-0) 0-2 (0-2) lead. A brave challenge from Fraser Heath, when he charged down a 65 yard effort after 8 minutes, left the young Scot with a cut head which required treatment. Scotlandsubstitute Ewan Brady shot narrowly wide after 13 minutes after getting into the end of a Jordan Murchison cross from the left. Westmeath pulled a point back through Robbie Greville when he collected a loose ball in midfield after 15 minutes to make it (0-1) 1-2 (0-2). Robbie Greville’s runs from midfield were a constant threat and he found the back of the net a minute later to give the home side a (1-1) 4-2 (0-2) advantage. Westmeath were starting to control the game and Kieron Glennon put the ball between the posts from the half-way line on 18 minutes to make it (1-2) 5-2 (0-2) Westmeath found the back of the net again on 21 minutes when David Lynch scored to extend his side’s lead to (2-2) 8-2 (0-2). Scotlandresponded and Greg Matheson saw a shot saved by Westmeath keeper Connor Lynch on 23 minutes. However Westmeath extended their advantage a couple of minutes later when Robbie Greville sprinted past his marker and blasted the ball into the back of the net to make it (3-2) 11-2 (0-2). Fraser Heath, who had returned to the field of play following his head knock, put a free over the bar to reduce the deficit to (3-2) 11-4 (0-4). However Westmeath had the final say when single points from Aonghas Clark and Cahil Scally gave them a (3-4) 13-4 (0-4) half time lead. The Scots had started the game well but lost their shape and there was much work for coaches Ronald Ross and Russell Jones to do at the interval. It was an improvedScotlandwho started the second half and substitute Conor Sweeney saw an effort come off the post. Greg Matheson converted another free 7 minutes into the second period to make it (3-4) 13-6 (0-6). Jordan Murchison just failed to get on the end of a rebound in front of goal 3 minutes later. A minute later Conor Sweeney was thwarted by a good save from home keeper Connor Lynch. Scotlandwere awarded a penalty for a kick in the home defence seconds later. The word from the bench was to go from goal to try and reduce the deficit. Greg Matheson was given the responsibility and he made no mistake as he blasted the ball into the net to make it (3-4) 13-9 (1-6). However the Scots’ progress was halted 14 minutes into the second half when Brendan Doyle netted to make it (4-4) 16-9 (1-6). The Scots did not let this blow affect them though and Jordan Murchison was on hand a minute later to fire the ball past Lynch to make it (4-4) 16-12 (2-6). The game was now swinging from end to end and Aonghas Clark helped himself to another point a minute later to make it (4-5) 17-12 (2-6). Scots keeper Jack Fraser did well to deal with a ball from the right 19 minutes into the second half. Stuart Callison put a free over the bar 15 minutes from time to reduce the deficit to (4-5) 17-14 (2-8). Westmeath extended their lead when David Lynch added a point a minute later and Eamon Corcoron found the back of the net 12 minutes from time to make it (5-6) 21-14 (2-8). Westmeath continued to pressure but a Scots breakaway 9 minutes from time saw Jordan Murchison lay the ball off to Greg Matheson who shot past Lynch in deadly fashion to make it (5-6) 21-17 (3-8). Jack MacDonald got his name on the scoresheet when he put a two-pointer over a minute later to make it (5-6) 21-19 (3-10). Greg Matheson was within inches of puttingScotlandahead for the first time since the opening minutes when he shot just past the post seconds later. Scotlandthrew everything into attack and Ewan Brady snatched at an effort 5 minutes from time. Greg Matheson had been in deadly form all evening but he showed he was human when he missed out with a two-pointer 3 minutes from the end. Westmeath held on to take victory following what was an enjoyable match. The Scots lost their way in the first half but they regrouped and the game served the purpose of preparing them for the main match against Dublin U17 the following evening. Scotland U17 from; Jack Fraser (Fort William), Ben Dalgety (Lochcarron), Michael Russell (Newtonmore), Finlay MacMillan (Glasgow Mid Argyll), Brennan MacDonald (Lochaber), Martin Bruce (Skye Camanachd), Gary McKerracher (Oban Celtic), Fraser Heath (Glenurquhart), Darren Hanlon (Kingussie), Danny Delaney (Lochaber), Jack MacDonald (Beauly), Jordan Murchison (Skye Camanachd), Greg Matheson (Lovat) (captain), Stuart Callison (Lochaber) subs Conor Sweeney (Lochaber), Craig Anderson (Glasgow Mid Argyll), Ewan Brady (Glenurquhart / Glengarry)
Scotland scorers; Greg Matheson - 10 (2-4) Jordan Murchison - 3 (1-0) Fraser Heath - 2 (0-2) Stuart Callison - 2 (0-2) Jack MacDonald - 2 (0-2)
Westmeath scorers; Robbie Greville – 7 (2-1) David Lynch – 4 (1-1) Brendan Doyle – 3 (1-0) Eamon Corcoran – 3 (1-0) Aonghas Clark – 2 (0-2) Kieron Glennon - 1 (0-1) Cahil Scally – 1 (0-1) Match Referee – Brian Kelly Westmeath were managed by manager Ray Gavin and Coach Christopher Murtigh. Marina Seery was the game co-coordinator and Jody Murray, Paddy Walsh (fitness) and Paul Moore were involved in the selection process. Special thanks are due to Seamus Curtis from the Dublin County Board for his assistance in organising the game. |