MARYHILL FOOTBALL CLUB

Date: Saturday, August 16th

Match sponsor: R&R Uplifts

Venue: Lochburn Park

Maryhill made it two league wins on the spin at a sunny Lochburn Park on Saturday afternoon. Playing their first home game of the campaign, the playing conditions were perfect and the ‘Hill put in a strong showing naming an unchanged side from the previous week’s rout.

Both teams looked to start the game on the front foot by working the ball forward with urgency. Maryhill had the first chance of note after ten minutes when Connor Hamilton’s cross from the right flank was headed over the bar by Mario Pacitti. The home side took the lead shortly afterwards when a sweeping move from left to right saw Hamilton play Jonny Baxter behind the Locos defence with a slide rule pass. Baxter slid a pass of his own to the in-rushing Jordan Duffy and the skipper tucked the ball away for his 2nd goal of the season.

Just 2 minutes later the ‘Hill extended their lead to 2-0. Duffy’s throw-in down the left was controlled by Logan Dempsey who advanced down the flank. He cut the ball inside to Jordan Hood who shifted the ball onto his right foot and slotted a low effort into the bottom corner from 7 yards out.

Undeterred, Caley Locos pressed forward and created a good opportunity when they won the ball midway through the Maryhill half. A good through ball found Dylan Collins free at the edge of penalty area. His first touch carried him into the box but his left footed shot lacked power and was gathered by a grateful Jamie Wright.

The miss came back to haunt the visitors as Maryhill almost immediately added a third before the 20 minute mark. Jay Shields won the ball with a strong challenge in midfield and floated a sublime pass over the top of the Caley Locos defence to find the run of Hamilton. Running away from goal, the Maryhill marksman decided he didn’t need a touch and scored with a first time finish across Locos goalkeeper, Reagan Maliska, into the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors rallied after the concession of the third goal and ventured forward in an attempt to reduce the deficit. Euan McMillan’s throw-in from the left flank found Ciaran McAneny at the edge of the Maryhill box and his deft flick fell perfectly into the path of Collins inside the box. The Locos number 9 pulled the ball back for Connor McAteer whose first time shot beat Wright but was cleared off the line by an alert Duffy. Moments later, Collins created another shooting opportunity when his pass found the run of McAneny. The Caley Locos man brought the ball under control before checking onto his right foot and getting a shot off only to see it blocked by Trialist, who had come on in place of the injured Nathan Carmichael. The men from Springburn continued their attack when a long goal kick broke for Collins. Once again the Locos centre forward found a teammate in an advanced but once again the chance went begging when McAteer sliced his shot over Wright’s crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Maryhill survived this spell of pressure unscathed and put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half time. Hood’s diagonal pass behind the Locos defence; Baxter beat Maliska to the ball but was taken down as he rounded the ‘keeper. A penalty was awarded and Hamilton coolly dispatched the spot-kick for his second of the game to give his side a 4-0 lead at half-time.

Caley Locos emerged from the dressing room for the second half determined to get an early goal. They almost had an ideal start when Collins latched onto a ball over the top. His lofted effort was slightly under hit, allowing Wright to push the ball over the bar for a corner. Collins didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity – just a minute later he won the ball in the Maryhill half and drove at the home defence. The Caley Locos forward managed to make space for a shot inside the ‘Hill penalty area but his tame effort was gathered by Wright.

The visitors suffered further punishment for not making their chances count. Dempsey was taken down as he ran at the Caley Locos defence and Hamilton converted the resulting free-kick from 25 yards to the delight of the home support. Hamilton’s fierce strike saw him claim his hat trick on the day, and make it an impressive 5 goals from 2 starts for the ‘Hill’s number 9.

The final blow came in the hour mark. Another high press saw the ‘Hill create chaos in the Locos defensive third. Shields won the ball and headed for goal. A last ditch tackle saw the ball break loose at the edge of the box where Callum

Imrie reacted quickest to apply a cool finish with a low curling effort sending the ball into the bottom corner of the Locos net. 

With the job done, the ‘Hill made a quadruple substitution. Further chances for Baxter, Marriott, and Skinner were kept out by the visiting defence while important interventions from Wright and Pacitti ensured a second consecutive clean sheet as the ‘Hill recorded a big win.

Thanks to everyone who turned out to back the team.

Next weekend we travel to Duncansfield Park to take on Kilsyth Rangers FC.

MOTM: Connor Hamilton (available for sponsorship).

Maryhill FC: Wright, Carmichael (22’ Trialist), Lauchlan, Pacitti, Duffy (C), Baxter, Shields (63’ O’ Brien), Dempsey, Imrie (63’ Armstrong), Hood (63’ Skinner), Hamilton (63’ Marriott).