Report 2010's v Cupar (A)

It was hot conditions which awaited both teams as Auchtermuchty travelled along the A92 for their first away football match of the season. Cupar were the opponents at Lady Inch Park.

Muchty travelled with a squad of 13, which was reduced to 12 before kick off with Tavener, after warming up deciding not to potentially aggravate a knee injury he picked up during the week.

Colts squad: Burton, Ness, Bayne, MacDougall, Smith, Svetoslavov, Lyon, Redhead, Paton, Brown, Hynd, Grieve

Cupar started the match brightly and exerted some opening pressure, which Muchty were able to deal with. Muchty started to settle and got in to some short passing moves, beginning to apply pressure themselves. It was a good midfield battle between two evenly matched sides and not much goal mouth action.

Muchty began to take control of the game as the first half went on and were rewarded when Svetoslavov beat the Cupar keeper with an angled shot. With their tails up, Colts started to push forward again looking for another goal, Cupar were holding firm though and not allowing shots on goal. Another goal did arrive toward the end of the half though with Ness challenging well for the ball with the Cupar defence, the ball broke to Redhead who came in from the left and scored.

Half time came with a lot of red faces and heavy breathing, the heat and still conditions taking their toll. However Muchty were out of the traps quickly in the second half and were laying siege to the Cupar goal, forcing a number of corners and the Cupar keeper making a couple of important stops.

Bayne thought he had his name on the scoresheet but was unfortunate to see his shot come off the inside of the post and trickle agonisingly out of harms way. This invoked a response from Cupar who started to take a grip on the game and their play was rewarded with a well deserved goal. Cupar were on top now and seemed to be getting to every loose ball, pinning Muchty back in defence. Burton had to be alert to make a couple of saves and when he was beaten again, was relieved to see the ball come back off his post and fall kindly in to his arms. Cupar were still relentless going forward and forced a number of successive corners, with MacDougall in particular providing a number of clearances.

The referees' final whistle signalled the end of a very even and competitive game. We'd like to thank the referee and the Cupar team and wish them well for the rest of the season.

Auchtermuchty's next football match is away to Pittenweem on 5th September with a 10am kick off.