This is the first game since starting back a couple of weeks ago. I decided to pick a very good opponent to test the boys of JBM to see how far they are away from being ready for the start of the season. The trip took us to the centre of Glasgow against a team we played a few years ago, so we didn’t know what to expect from them. We knew it would be a difficult game and this wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
A few changes have been made since our final game playing at 7s, we have two new arrivals Reuben Gray and Kenny Gemmell and a debutant in goal with Lee Kelly deciding to put the goalkeeper gloves on and give it a go, thus enabling Ben Brown to venture out to an outfield position.
The game started off really well with the boys settling in very quickly and showed their opponents that they wouldn’t be a walk over and they had to be at their best to beat JBM. The JBM boys were well on top and due to a breakdown in communication and some scrappy defending the opponents took the lead. Only minutes later it was 2-0 and the boys looked deflated, however they lifted their heads and battled away, we had a few chances in the first half, a free kick from Logan Jarvie that the keeper saved and a few shots that went wide. The boys were fortunate when putting pressure on their opponents caused a huge mistake and a bad back pass ended in the back of the net......2-1. This lifted the boys and started to play some very good football until their opponents scored again making it 3-1 going into the break.
H-T 3-1
The second half we decided to change the formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2, and this changed the dynamics of the game and put the opposition on their back foot. Again the boys battled very hard but you could see some tired legs out on the pitch, however even with the substitutions we were unable to find the back of the net in the second half. Their opponents scored a further 3 goals. The run of the green was not on our side today every 50/50 ball went against us and the temperature on the pitch was very hot, so again it showed that the boys are still a few weeks of training from being 100% match fit.
FT 6-1
Lee Kelly was tremendous in goal today, this was his first start only having 2 hours of keeper training and I am sure with help from the Albion Rovers keeper he will become a great addition to the squad! Ben Brown played at centre back and was exceptional and controlled the back three, again a great addition to the defence for future fixtures. Brady Differ was as solid as usual. James Wallace ensured nothing got passed him and was a sad loss going off with a toe injury. Andrew Duncan and Calum Roberts worked tiresly up and down both flanks trying their very best to supply the front two, however a very hard defence to break down today, all the same they both put in a great shift. Reece Lafferty Deans bossed the centre of midfield, won every header and battled for every ball, even when it wasn’t his to win! Reuben Gray and Kenny Gemmell played really well on their debut and both look confident on the ball, again two great additions to the squad. Logan Jarvie and Jamie McTavish worked extremely hard up front trying to break the defence down, dropping in deep to pick the ball up, free kicks, runs behind the defense, however it want to be today, a great defence and a keeper on form stopped either of the finding the back of the net. David Wood, Aron Stevenson, Logan Jardine, Stewart Kennedy and Dean Wilson all played their part today, all ensuring they played to their potential and tried their very best.
To summarise, it was a really difficult opponent on our first fixture of 16/17, however the boys needed this today to show them what they need to do in training to improve. This season isn’t going to be easy and they have to be prepared for what is ahead. It will be a long season for them with no breaks! The boys played really well, but it wasn’t to be today and the boys were very disappointed, however despite the coaches telling them that a win was not expected, it was all about getting back on track and putting some minutes on their clock, which was the main aim today. They surprised their opponents, who expected to dominate from start to finish, but that was not the case. The boys were superb despite the loss, they are all a little rusty and the now know what to do to improve and be ready for the next preseason friendly.
We are all looking forward to next week both in training and our next fixture against Seafar Villa! Bring it on!!!!!
