Today was another milestone reached for the boys of JBM, it was their first ever Scottish Youth Cup fixture at 11 aside. The game was against Falkirk FCF White, who historically have always put out a great standard of footballers and we have always struggled to get a result against this team, so the boys were up against it straight from the off. Their confidence is at a low after the previous defeat against Bellshill, however they had worked very hard in training all week and were looking to get a result. Again we were hindered with injuries, James Wallace (Knee), Reuben Gray (ill) and Aron Craig (Knee). So we had an opening in the starting 11 for someone to step up into.
The boys started off on fire and looked like they meant business only minutes after the start Kenny Gemmell blazed over a shot from point blank range and also put over another with a header that went over the bar. The boys certainly wanted to win this game today, and looked much better organised from last week. JBM continued to put pressure in their opponents half and Jamie McTavish was unlucky to put the boys into the lead with a superb shot that rebounded off the crossbar. 3 Shots, 1 on target in the first 5 minutes! Falkirk managed to soak up all the pressure from the JBM boys and managed to break free on a counter attack which resulted in a goal on 10 minutes. For the first time this season the boys heads didn’t go down and they continued to fight back to get back level. They tried throwing everything at them, however with some desperate clearances and lack of communication it resulted in Falkirk scoring 3 goals in 3 minutes just before the break! This did have an effect on the boys and looked well and truly defeated! Not one of them lucking too happy coming into the break!
HT 0-4
For the 2nd week in a row, the boys had a stern talk from all the coaches and wanted more effort from the boys, as if we had taken our chances in the first half the game would be much different and would have seen JBM going into halftime with the lead. They just need to get their heads together, knuckle down and get the game back.
The boys yet again came out the blocks on fire and pounded their opposition’s goal. On the 38th minute Calum picked the ball up in his own half and flew down the right hand side of midfield taking on the majority of Falkirks back line, he managed to pull back a cross at the by line, and Logan Jardine smashed it into the back of the net! At last a goal the boys could celebrate and hopefully lift them. What a difference a goal makes! They boys continued to attack, Calum again getting pulled down just outside the box, which resulted in the only yellow card of the game. The free kick was taken By Jamie, who curled one into the back post and Kenny couldn’t get onto the end of it and the ball skimmed the post! Logan Jarvie also had an opportunity when he broke through and the keeper pulled off a great save! Reece also had a chance and blazed it past the post! The boys looked like they were enjoying their selves and looked like the boys of old! Jamie (capt) tired his best to motivate the boys to keep their heads and ensure they finished their chances, from one on ones, counter attacks and from the corners. The boys just couldn’t get the ball into the net and as we all know it only takes one break for the whole dynamics of the game to change and it did on the 50th minute when Falkirk was awarded a free kick outside the box and was placed into the top corner, nothing anybody could of done to stop it! The boys again looked jaded after all their work they had put in to try and get it back they were punished with another goal against them. Falkirk also scored in the 65th minutes and yes we had another few chances to pull the score line back.
FT 1-6
In my opinion, they boys performance was much better than last weeks, they started superbly in both halves and if they had finished their chances then who knows it may had resulted in a win for JBM. They worked tiresly to get the game back on level terms but you could see by their body language at the end of the game, they put everything into it. However, they must now work on their communication skills as this is a major factor in a game of football and very important to speak to each other, otherwise we will get punished like today. We also need to ensure we take our chances as at times you may not get many in a game and it can be the difference of winning or losing. The boys know what they need to work on and I am sure if they put the graft into training they will reap the rewards! Oh well we will now need to concentrate on the league.
Today’s coaches MOM award goes to Jamie McTavish and Calum Roberts! Superb effort boys, you both deserve it!
We now need to prepare for our next game against Falkirk FCF White (Again) for next week’s fixture. This will be the final League cup game which will determine which league we will be allocated to. We will also look forward to see all our injured players return next week, which will ensure we have a strong squad to pick from for the long season ahead. All these games will be tough but I am sure that we will start to get the results we deserve very soon!
