A depleted Cubs squad took on the league leaders F.C. Arkive at Riverside yesterday in a match in which we were all honesty expecting a defeat. The performance on show from a makeshift squad however turned out to be nothing short of magnificent as the Cubs took the game to the unbeaten leaders providing one of the most entertaining Cubs games in memory. The Purple bus was back.... but this time with a new engine as the potential of Cubs counter attack was realised in a wonderful end to end game.
Missing McMillan and Sim to the formers stag do, as well messers Brownlee, Brownlee and Braidwood to some shitey cup final somewhere, the Cubs were hit with the late withdrawal of McKendrick, while Stephen and Boyle both failed their respective fitness tests. It was also unclear whether Mejka had himself went to the shitey cup final or if he was still suffering from last weeks “illness”. Either way he also missed out.
David “arsehole dave” Plenderleith was drafted in to partner Callum Ross at the back with top scorer Jamieson-Caley filling in at right back on the opposite side to Andrew “little big planet” Lawrie. Ager and Hagger took their places on the wings with Nandos duo Swinton and Reno in midfield behind a front 2 of Mackay and Brebner. Trialist Jamie Baird took his place on the bench alongside Stephen who named himself on the teamsheet on an emergency basis.
Arkive probably started the game in the more positive fashion with the Cubs standing off our more illustrious opponents as they started to knock the ball about. It was Cubs who perhaps should have take the lead however with a swift counter attack. Brebner, for the 1st time in his life thought he was genuinely offside chipping wide of the post when through on goal. The referees whistle never came however and Jack had blown a big chance for Cubs to take the lead. A further good Cubs chance was spurned on the counter attack as Arkive and perhaps Cubs themselves began to realise that the men in purple weren't here just to make up the numbers. Arkive did finally nick the opener however with some great off the ball movement from their centre midfielder leaving him with just Eggo to beat and he duly obliged. Manager Stephen thought the floodgates might open here but instead Cubs went straight up the park and scored the equaliser. In spite of some good closing down by Hagger and substitute Baird, Arkive passed their way into the Cubs half. Further successful pressing led to a change of possession however and Cubs swiftly countered with Mackay who had drifted onto the right hand side. Mackay looked across and found Hagger bursting into the 6yard box after he had in all honesty, neglected his defending at this point. Tap in. All square.
Not content with the draw we went straight back up the park on the counter from their kick off and scored again. Trialist Baird looked like he would unleash a shot from 30yards out as it seemed to open up for him but instead dropped his shoulder and played a ridiculously good diagonal ball behind the Arkive defence to Josh Ager who had just left former Cubs Michael Sword for dead. Ager drilled the ball across the Arkive keeper and Cubs went into the break with a shock lead. Eggo made a brilliant one handed save at his near post before the end of the half as Arkive looked to even up the proceedings before the interval.
The message from gaffer Stephen at half time was to keep doing what you are doing as we had more than matched our opponents in a wonderful 1st half. Cubs did just that, continuing to frustrate our opponents with Swinton and Reid putting in some huge tackles in the middle of the park. Ager, Hagger and Mackey used to their pace to intercept many an Arkive pass with the Cubs looking dangerous every time they broke. Our opponents however did show their quality carving open the Cubs defence twice around the 70 minute mark to find themselves 3-2 up.
Cubs kept fighting again however and got their equaliser through a penalty from makeshift right back Adam Jamieson-Caley. This was again won through a Cubs counter, with Mackay being brought down as he burst though on goal from the left side. One might have asked why a red wasn't shown but you'd never seen Adam move so fast as he sprinted from right back to make sure no one was taking his penalty. Arkive however got a 4th before Harry made probably the best save I have seen him make in Cubs colours, appearing from no where behind a host of players in a crowded box to make a brilliant one handed save. Andrew Lawrie then cleared the ball off the line twice in 5 seconds as Arkive looked to put the game to bed. An Arkive player seemed to have a bit much to say to the ref around this point as a red card was pulled from nowhere giving the Cubs hope with 9minutes to play. Mackay broke as play restarted and was crudely chopped down by Michael “Goose” “StillaCub” Sword wide on the left hand side. Harshly the ref got the red out again, citing a kick out from Sword as Brebner, as you would expect lined up a shot from ridiculous range where every other would line up a cross. Much to everyone's surprise..... Jack unleashed a rocket.... and it nearly took the fucking net off from the inside!!! Contender for goal of the season.... I reckon he was passing for once ;)
With two minutes left on the clock we didn't know whether to stick or twist. Go for the winner against 9 men or sit back and be happy with a well earned point. I don't think we really managed either and the sickening inevitable blow took place. A dangerous cross from the Arkive right saw a scuffled headed clearance from an unnamed Cubs players go across the goal. Another unnamed Cubs player could only beat the waiting to waiting Arkive striker to the winner with Callum Ross finally having some competition for own goal of the season. For me it brought back memories of Gus Macpherson's St Mirren and their Hampden capitulation against the 9 Zombies in 2009. In reality however, it was just unfortunate and it didn't really put a dampener on how proud we could be of our performance.
Eggo made some great saves. The makeshift back four put in some shift and battled all game. Reno and Swinty went up against pretty much the best player in Dundee and made him look ordinary, Jack blasted in an unstoppable freekick while trialist Baird played pass of the season. The pace of Hagger excelled going forward and back while Yug and Josh put in the 2 best Cubs performances of the season with their pace and trickery causing the Arkive backline no end of problems on the counter. Yug edged Josh for the man of the match award it seems but it could have went to either for stellar performances.
The lads coming back will have to work hard to dislodge the boys from today.
