Match Reports 2011/12

 

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JOE’S UNBEATEN RUN ENDS WITH LOSS TO LYBSTER

Top Joe’s fine run ground to a halt last night with their first loss of the season to the impressive and hard working Lybster side last night.

Missing for Top Joe’s last night were George Sinclair (back strain), Jamie Mackay (infection), Michael MacLeod (cracked face pack) and Shaun Trueman (thumb print on forehead).

TO THE MATCH 

Ex Joe Donnie Ola came to support his former club but missed the opener for Lybster as the PUFC committee meeting over-ran.  Just before half time Lybster added a second to make things harder for TJ’s.  The villagers adapted to the gale force conditions far better and it was no surprise to see goals three and four before MACKENZIE popped up with a goal five minutes from time. 

A well deserved win for the villagers who worked harder and played some good football.  A disappointing night for the good guys but hopefully it’s just a blip.  We had a lot of blocked efforts but never troubled their goalkeeper enough.  We need to get the ball down and communicate better if we’re going to improve and get back on track. 

Next up we play Naver Reunited on Monday 31st October at 6.30pm.  Let’s hope the hangovers from Saturday’s Three Legged don’t last till then……

MON THE JOE’S!!!

 Squad and ratings out of 10

 McLean           6          Pulled off some good saves.

Sewell             5          Tried to keep the shape at the back.

Marshall          5          Tried hard in defence and midfield.

Mackenzie      5          Took his goal well.

MacDonald     5          Tried to get the passing going.

Moodie            5          Always looked for the ball.

Kennedy          5          Unlucky with a couple of efforts.

Davidson         5          Booked for a rash Sinclair-esque challenge.

Sutherland       5          Tried hard in midfield.

Rosie               5          Booked for a rash Sinclair-esque challenge.

McNeill            5          Tried to get going down the right hand side.

 MAN OF THE MATCH – For the first time this season, we didn’t have much to choose from but for his saves it’s KEVIN McLEAN.

 QUOTES OF THE NIGHT

“It’s easier to play in the First Division, you get more time on the ball” – Donnie Ola tries to explain his decision to sign for boyhood heroes Pentland United FC.

 “I’m going to miss Colin, it’s like losing my right arm” – I think we all felt poor Justin’s pain when he realised his partner would be missing for a few weeks.

 

NOT SO DYNAMIC FOR STAXIGOE AS JOE’S ANTI FOOTBALL TAKES THE POINTS

 Joe’s shocked sevens football with a hard fought 4-3 victory of moaning Dynamo Staxigoe last night at Naver Park.   Joe’s were missing Craig McNeill, Bryan Sutherland, Colin MacDonald, George Sinclair, Michael MacLeod, Shaun Trueman and Daniel Sewell from their squad.  Ageless veteran Andy Lannon came in as trialist to shore up the backline at short notice and aging veteran Sean Moodie put pen to paper to sign on for the season.

TO THE MATCH

 It was a gung ho approach adopted by TJ’s last night and they were 2 up within six minutes.  The opener came after an eye of the needle pass from Moodie found MACKENZIE free on the right hand side.  He took a touch, closed in on goal and carefully managed to slide tackle it into the bottom corner.  Some good interplay between Davidson and KENNEDY ended with a good finish by the latter.  Staxigoe came flying back and got one back with a good finish then a free header made it level pegging.  MOODIE fired one in to make it three two for the good guys at half time/

 Into the second half and MARSHALL stepped forward from defence and rifled an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner to emulate last week’s beauty to make it 4-2.  Staxigoe weren’t finished and made it 4-3 a few minutes later.  Joe’s fought and harried and sat in to absorb the pressure and gain all three points in a well earned win.

 Next up we play Lybster on Monday 24th October at 7.30pm. 

MON THE JOE’S!!!

 Squad and ratings out of 10

 McLean           7          Pulled off some good saves to keep us in it.

Lannon            7          Two good shifts at the back and defended well.

Marshall          7          He’s like a Ginger Beckenbauer.

Mackenzie      7          Great tackle for his goal.

Moodie            8          Good shift, an assist and an important goal.

Davidson         7          Worked hard and involved in second goal.

Kennedy          7          Another good strike and high work rate.

Mackay           6          Good shift last night in midfield and up front.

Cormack         5          Made up for the absence of Sinclair with a booking.

Rosie               6          Good shift in midfield – worked hard.

 MAN OF THE MATCH - Sean Moodie for his goal and work ethic.  Well done Mr Moodie.

 

QUOTES OF THE NIGHT

“I’m not being a bad loser, but at least try to play some football” – Staxigoe defender Chris Taylor puts his point across after the game.

“If Kev was better with crosses, he’d be a world beater” – ex Swifts and Acks keeper Andy Lannon.

“Why are you booked?  Because you shouted come here ya f*cking w*nk” – referee Bob Gunn stamps his authority on proceedings.

 

TOP JOE’S TIED IN BATTLE OF THE BARS

 

Top Joe’s retained their unbeaten record with a high scoring draw against Holborn last night.  TJ’s welcomed veteran Sean Moodie back as a trialist last night - the man with more clubs than Tiger Woods (Castletown, Rolls Royce, Thurso Pentlands, Melvich, Thurso Acks……)  There is certainly no coincidence that a return to winning ways for Joes has seen the sudden return of Moodie.  Manager Cormack hopes Moodie's return will release the burden of the Crime Count on Sincalir for future games.

William Smith is still unavailable for selection as he is currently on another expensive holiday, Craig McNeill has taped up his broken fingernail and hopes to be back next week and Jamie Mackay is off on a course for his work – haberdashery. 

George Sinclair was also unavailable as he suffered a serious hand injury yesterday.  It has not been confirmed at this stage if this was sustained while trying to count his bookings to date (P.S. It’s 3 so far…..) 

Andy Lannon had a bad case of the sniffles but it’s hoped he’ll be able to return soon.  At his age, he’s taking no chances and I’m disappointed that some of the boys haven’t been round to check on him – this is a difficult time of year for the elderly so God Speed Andy.  Hope to see you soon.

Willie Budge again was unavailable.  His hip has been giving him gyp since a bad injury suffered at Zumba.  Willie wasn’t participating but just went up to drop off Farrah.  Unfortunately when he realised she had to pay and had forgotten her money, Oor Wullie tried to do a runner…..hopefully he’ll be fighting fit soon for the 3-Legged.

Anyway, to the match…..

It was a hard fought first half, with a good shift put in by both sets of players.  Joe’s were the better side initially but Holborn looked dangerous throughout.  Holborn were two goals to the good before TJ’s woke from their temporary slumber and GORDY MACKENZIE pulled his socks up and met a good cross to get our opener.  MOODIE fired in a free kick to level the scores and DAVIDSON popped up to make it three.  Holborn levelled before KENNEDY rifled in a tremendous left foot effort to put Joe’s in the ascendancy.  MARSHALL stepped forward from the back, shimmied past a couple of men (like a drunken Glaswegian trying to walk home through the Gorbals) and fired an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner to put Joe’s 5-3 up.  Unfortunately, referee WHITSON laid the ball on a plate for the Holborn forward (when he got in the way of a clearance) to make it 5-4 with minutes remaining.  They capitalised on their pressure to level the scores with a close range effort.  Joe’s were hard done by this week through some strange refereeing decisions but it was a good point earned against a good team. 

Well done lads, a good shift and a well earned point – very unlucky not to make it three.

Next up is the title favourites and run away leaders Dynamo Staxigoe on 17th October at 7.30pm.

MON THE JOE’S!!!!

Squad and ratings out of 10 

McLean           7          Important saves and good distribution.

Sewell             7          Defended well and communicated throughout.

Moodie            8          Strolled through the match.

MacKenzie      8          Good strong running and important goal.

MacDonald     8          Always looked for a pass.

Davidson         6          Another goal for the on-fire wide player.

Trueman         6          Put in a good shift and unlucky not to score.

MacLeod         7          Strong in the tackle.

Sutherland       6          Good shift in midfield.

Kennedy          9          Great second half performance and goal.

Rosie               6          Right wing this time, put in a good cross.

Marshall          7          Good goal from defence.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH – SHANE KENNEDY for his second half performance and tremendous finish for the goal.

 

SPARTANS DRUM SILENCED AS JOE’S HIT KEN’S MEN FOR SEVEN


Ex Top Joe’s 11’s player Kenny McElroy’s men seemed out of tune as Top Joe’s continued their impressive start to the season with a comprehensive victory against Thurso Spartans.  The Spartans Ultras were silenced and their drum was inconspicuous in its absence last night…..

Missing for Joe’s last night were Craig McNeill (broken fingernail), Shane Kennedy, Colin MacDonald and Justin Marshall. 

Returning to the fray was the Forever Young actor Michael “Mel Gibson” MacLeod.

TO THE MATCH

Joe’s ran riot in the first half with the wind at their back and goals from 2 x SINCLAIR (header from a MacLeod through ball and smart finish), 2 x TRUEMAN (1 smart finish and 1 close range follow in) and 2 x DAVIDSON (1 smart finish and 1 great run and finish).

In the second half, Sinclair completed his hat trick (of consecutive bookings) with a cynical foul on some random Spartan.  Rosie had a great chance to make it 7 but failed to release the ball after a great run and decided to pass back to the keeper instead of shooting…..  SINCLAIR completed the scoring rout in the last minute with a smart strike from the edge of the box following a corner by Cormack.  A comfortable victory for the good guys - well done lads - an impressive team performance and a thoroughly deserved three points.  Next match is Monday 10th October at 7.30pm vs Holborn

MON THE JOE’S!!!

Squad and ratings out of 10

K. McLean        8          Another clean sheet – good distribution of ball in tough conditions.

M. MacLeod      8          Great performance, every managed to de-shoe their striker…..

D. Sewell          8          Full fifty minutes – strong performance in defence.

G. Mackenzie    8          Played on both wings and at the back – strolled through the game again.

G. Sinclair         9          Three bookings in three games for Geordie Hurlock – took his goals very well.

L. Davidson      9          Excellent goals and great workrate.

S. Trueman       8          Took his goals well.  Should have worn an eye patch.

J. Mackay         7          Never stopped running, could have scored if Rosie passed....

B. Sutherland    7          Centre and right midfield shift last night for TJ’s Samaras….

M. Rosie           7          One great mazy run but fluffed the finish, maybe if he had passed…...

B. Cormack       3          Three minute burst – could have scored, drilled in corner for the seventh.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH – Many contenders last night but when a man approaching 40 can get three goals and a soft booking (this time), it can only be GEORGE SINCLAIR.  Well done Titchy and well done TJ’s.

 

 

 

TOP JOE’S EARN THEIR SPURS WITH IMPRESSIVE VICTORY

Top Joe’s 3-0 Young Spurs

A great win for the good guys against a very quick and skilful Young Spurs side.

Missing this week were Colin MacDonald and Michael MacLeod, with Bryan Sutherland and Bruce Cormack making their first appearances of the campaign.

The first half was fairly even with chances for both sides, although it took a tremendous save from McLean to keep Joe’s in it. Joe’s sat a bit too deep to start with but slowly edged themselves into the match.

Into the second half and TJ’s took the lead. A Craig McNeill corner was met brilliantly by the head of SEWELL and flew past the keeper to put Top Joe’s 1-0 up. Goals 2 and 3 came in quick succession with SINCLAIR and TRUEMAN finishing well after good lead up play.

A well deserved three points in the end.

Next match is Spartans at 6.30 on Monday 3rd October.

MON THE JOE'S!

Squad and ratings out of 10

K. McLean 9 - Several great saves at important times in the match.
G. MacKenzie 8 - Strong and quick, read the game well.
J. Marshall 7 - Strolled through the match in defence and midfield.
C. McNeill 7 - He says he got 2 assists. No ASBO this week. Booked.
G. Sinclair 7 - He said he meant the flick on for Shaun’s goal. Took his goal well. Booked again.
S. Kennedy 7 - Hard working performance on both wings.
S. Trueman 7 - Took his goal well. Booked.
J. Mackay 6 - Worked hard, a couple of misplaced clearances but stuck at it.
D. Sewell 8 - Great header to open his account for the season.
L. Davidson 6 - Good workrate on the left wing and looked lively.
B. Sutherland 6 - Worked hard in centre midfield then up front.
M. Rosie 6 - Good workrate up front last night.
B. Cormack 5 - Closed out the first half in defence.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Well done to Ginger KEV McLEAN – tremendous display in nets and a thoroughly deserved award

 

 

WEST IS NOT BEST AS JOE'S EARN A POINT

Melvich 0-0 Top Joe's

A hard fought draw against a lively Melvich side earned a well deserved point for the good guys.

With so many new guys in the squad this season, it's going to take time to gel but initial signs are promising.

The first half was very even with Joe's perhaps edging it in terms of free kicks and corners with a couple of good saves and clearances keeping the scores level. However, the second half was nearly all Melvich so TJ's did well to absorb the pressure and come away with a point.

The changes worked well with all players putting in a good shift. There are going to be a lot of difficult games in the league but if we continue to work hard and improve our communication, points are there for the taking.

MON THE JOE'S!

Squad and ratings out of 10
K. McLean 8 - pulled off some key saves in the second half to keep the match level.
M. MacLeod 8 - booked but solid throughout.
J. Marshall 9 - debut for Top Joe's and strolled through the match.
S. Kennedy 7 - impressive debut, full of running.
C. MacDonald 7 - influential in the first half, always looking for the ball.

C. McNeill 6 - good shift in midfield and defence
S. Lowe 6 - trial match and held the ball up well and tried to bring others into the fray.
D. Sewell 6 - good performance in defence, good communication.
J. Mackay 6 - worked hard and nullified the threat of the nippy Melvich wide man.
G. Sinclair 6 - booked but helped keep the shape while MacDonald had a rest.
L. Davidson 6 - good debut on the left hand side of midfield.
M. Rosie 6 - worked hard defensively.
S. Trueman 6 - some good pieces of skill up front.

MAN OF THE MATCH - JUSTIN MARSHALL edges the top award for the night. Well done Justin. I hope your busy schedule will still allow half of the grooming time fellow defender Michael MacLeod enjoys