After a 4 week, weather-enforced hiatus, Westwood were back in action on league business against Victoria Croftfoot at The Murray. With the team night out in the evening, a positive result was a must to ensure a good atmosphere.
Both sides had chances in the opening exchanges, with McKenna having to save smartly at the feet of a Victoria striker, and Davie Wilson hitting just over with a left footed effort from 18 yards. Vicky moved the ball around well but the Westwood defence held strong, epitomised by skipper Graeme Lynn’s goal-line clearance after a penalty box melee. The Ibrox men were mostly reduced to efforts from distance, one of which only just fizzed by Wessie’s right hand post.
As half time approached, Westwood started to come into the game, and after some good build up, Johnny Henson collected the ball, but fired wide. With the game poised at 0-0 at half time, Westwood knew the 2nd half would be much the same as the first, and they would have to battle hard to take anything from the game.
Straight from kick off, Vicky were on the front foot and were coming at Westwood with plenty of attacking play and almost capitalised when a rasping left footed strike from 20 yards beat the keeper, but also flew inches off target. This was not to be the case however on the hour mark when from 20 yards, the Vicky centre mid crashed a free kick over the wall and into the top corner to make it 1-0 and give the visitors a deserved lead.
This seemed to strike life into Westwood, with them having plenty more possession and chances. From a cleared corner, Ian Patterson was first to retrieve the loose ball and fired a first time effort just over the bar from all of 30 yards. Then John McGonigle was unlucky not to head in an equaliser from Chris Nicholl’s deep cross. With the Wessie pushing for an equaliser, this left the defence more exposed and McKenna in the Westwood goal had to be alert to keep the score at 1-0, saving well from a tight angle and bravely diving at the feet of an onrushing striker. With time running out Wessie pushed forward but couldn’t get any clear cut chances on goal and it seemed it would be a fruitless day for the East Kilbride side.
However, with less than a minute left on the clock, Skipper and Man of the Match Graeme Lynn stayed up front after a corner, and it was to pay massive dividends. After sub Titch turned and left the defender for dead, he crossed for Lynn to volley home the equaliser via the bar and the post with a finish Didier Drogba would have been proud of, to send the home support into raptures. Almost immediately after kick off, the ref blew for full time to give the hosts what would have seemed an unlikely point.
All in all, we probably got out of jail, but getting a result when playing badly is part and parcel of a successful season. Next week’s game away to Greenview in the Atholl Cup will be an equal test so we have to up our game if we want to retain the trophy. |
