Fossoway got the response from their players that they were hoping for in a battling, entertaining game against unbeaten Kennoway at Cotlands Park.
Lead by new skipper Martin Payne, he and the side put in a hard working positive performance, which seemed to drive the side on to a 3-1 lead before 2 goals in 2 minutes drew the hosts level. On another day, the side would have collapsed like a pack of cards, but the team weathered the storm excellent to recover and hold out whilst also having chances to get the victory.
Kennoway started the game brightest of the two sides with a couple of chances, but found keeper Mark Robertson in good form. In the 5th minute, Robertson was forced into a save. The home side latched on to the loose ball, rounding the grounded keeper but wasting a good chance to open the scoring. Robertson then spectacularly tipped over a long range free kick on 9 minutes.
It wasn't all Kennoway, though, with Fossoway perhaps just lacking that cutting edge in the final third. But that changed in the 14th minute when Andy Gourlay turned and was brought down in the box. The ref pointed to the spot and Kieran Wilson stepped up to make no mistake sending the ball into the top corner of the net.
Play swapped to the other end requiring another excellent save from Robertson on 16 minutes before he was beaten by a free kick from Kieran Band on 20 minutes.
Scott Sneddon went close on 22 minutes but couldn't keep his shot down after good work and cross from Andy Gourlay. But Sneddon played a major part in Foss regaining the lead on 34 minutes. His shot from the right couldn't be held by the home keeper, Charlie Marshall responded quickest to tap home from close range.
The half time whistle went and the team could feel very pleased with their contributions with solid performances all over the park, from Robertson in goal, the Gonsales brothers at the back, Payne, Marshall and Wilson in midfield shone and up front Kenny and Sneddon were working well.
The second half got off to the perfect start in the 47th minute a long throw by Gourlay was met by the rising head of Kenny who flicked his effort into the far corner for an excellent finish.
Kennoway were pushing hard, but the tiring Foss legs were battling to kept their advantage. At the other end, Kenny went very close with an effort the home keeper wouldn't have known much about following a dangerous cross from Gourlay in the 65th minute.
The hosts were continuing to press and a goal seemed likely against a side running out of gas. It duly came with two goals in two minutes which was a big kick in the teeth. On another day, Foss would have collapsed, but the side regrouped, maintained their positive leadership from the sidelines and throughout the side and they weathered the storm by slowly gathering their composure and pushing up.
The home side still had a few wasteful chances, whilst at the other end Sneddon had a couple of chances, one of which was volleyed over from a Parrish cross from the right.
The full time whistle eventually blew and it was a result that would provide many positives after a difficult few weeks. The team battled so hard throughout the game and worked well as a team unit. In goal, Robertson was again confident and solid, throughout the defence were strong performances in particular from Bertie and Damian Gonsales. Gourlay and Wilson again proved their worth with good performances, particularly Gourlay supplying some good crosses and long throws. Payne led by typical example, exactly what you would want from the captain and Marshall did well especially considering his lack of games recently.
Up front, Sneddon worked well and had a few good chances whilst Committee Man of the Match Daniel Kenny put in a performance about his years with some good movement and touches and capped in a great performance for the young lad with an excellently taken goal. Off the bench, Spence and Parrish (trialist) also put in some great saving tackles.
A very positive performance to recover from last week's disaster. Now the side need to build on that performance and hopefully get a few extra bodies available. But a lot to be very pleased with today - well done, guys!
