Glendale 1 - Postal ALC 4 - Div 1 North - Corbie Park - Sat 16th Nov 2024

Team Selection:

David Finch

Adam Veitch

James Steele

Euan Brechin

Peter Frampton

Steven Abel

Martin Maciver

Scott Stuart

Duncan Paterson

Sultan Ahmed

Sergiu Cotovici

Bench:

Grant Cormack

Neil McDonald

Harry McCauley

Keiron Dowbekin

Bruce Webster

Postal ALC travelled to Corbie Park to face Glendale AFC in the league.  Glendale are a well run club who have been a mainstay in the first division for a number of years. 

Glendale came out on top following a pre-season friendly and following last weeks calamity in the Stephen Shield Postal knew they had to dig deep. 

5 of the squad from last week were unavailable so the team had to be reshuffled.  With 1 recognised defender Steele, Brechin and Frampton had to undertake assignments at the back. 

Stuart, Cotovici, Paterson and Maciver all took their place in the starting line up with McCauley and Dowbekin dropping to the bench. 

Glendale kicked off the encounter at Corbie Park.

Straight from the off Postal were pressing Glendale and on the 1st minute Abel went on a great run down the Postal right, crossing and unluckily Cotovici couldn’t get on the end of the cross. 

Postal were committing bodies forward to every attack, Frampton at left back and Veitch on the right of the Postal defence taking it in turns to bolster the Postal attack, which was working unbelievable well. 

On the 3rd minute Frampton raced up the line and was played behind the Glendale back line by Cotovici.  Last ditch tackle by Glendale led to a Postal corner.  The Postal corner was cleared by the impressive Glendale keeper landing at the feet for Frampton, driving into the Glendale box the forward come full back was fouled and postal were awarded a penalty.  Frampton dusted himself off, stepped up and watched as his strike was saved by the Keeper.  The follow up by Abel was blasted over the bar. 

The penalty seemed to spur the team on, Veitch & Frampton, Ahmed and Abel taking it in turns to drive into the Glendale half and commit players.  Various corners were cleared by the Glendale keeper as Postal probed for the opening.

On the 10th minute Veitch sprayed the ball long to Paterson, who drove to the byline before cutting back to Abel.  Abel passed the ball across to Cotovici who seen his attempt cleared off the line by a Glendale defender as the Postal sideline were ready to celebrate.

On 15 minutes Glendale had a through in on the Postal left, the ball returned to the thrower and was allowed to cross far to easily and number 11 stole a march on Abel to head onto goal.  Fortunately for Postal Finch was on hand with a strong hand to save.  A real let off for Postal.

The game continued with a similar pattern, Postal attacking and dominating until the 34th min when a really quality goal split the sides.  Martin Mciver received the ball and spun whipping in a great ball into Ahmed.  Racing forward the Postal left winger played a great through ball to Abel who raced clear and slide the ball under the advancing keeper.  Great goal by all involved.

0 – 1

A minute later Postal would stretch their advantage.  A long ball up the field was controlled by Cotovici, he held off the pressing defender and played a great ball through to Paterson, who again slide the ball under the keeper.  Great finish and great centre forward play by Cotovici on his first start this season for Postal.

0 – 2

On 42 minutes Glendales number 11 advanced up the Postal left before cutting into the box and laying the ball off to number 9 who seen his shot blocked by Bechin from 5 yards out.  Brechin would again block a certain goal following a Glendale free kick  on 45 min.  The ball fell kindly to Glendale inside the box for a good first time strike however Brechin stood firm as the whistle blew for half time.

HT

Glendale started off the second half with much more purpose and increased the aggression levels in the challenges.  On 45 min they had a corner which was headed over the bar and on 47min number 11 had a rasping long range drive just go wide of the Postal goal. 

Postal responded to the Glendale pressure and began dominating again, on the 50th minute a Postal corner by McIver was headed clear at the near post right back to him.  McIver steadied himself then swung in a perfect cross which Brechin headed home.  Excellent goal and nothing less that Brechin deserved given his performance.

On the 55th Minute it was now one way traffic, Paterson released Ahmed who rounded the right back, keeper, centre half only to then see his shot hit the post.  Great attacking play and deserved better. 

McCauley replaces Cotovici and Dowbekin replaces McIver 60 min. Webster replaced Ahmed and McDonald replaces Paterson.

65 min Webster replaces Ahmed and

70 min against the run of play the Glendale right back played the ball through to the Glendale forward who had just come on as sub, clearly offshore the striker turned and finished with the referee awarding the goal much to the confusion of the Postal sideline and defence?!?

1 – 3

71 min Webster hunts down the keeper and blocks his clearance.  Ball bounces to McCauley who sees his shot cleared off the line. 

On the 80th min a great cross by McDonald was met by Webster who headed back across the face of goal but had no takers.

83min Abel had a one on one with the Glendale keeper however his shot was saved.

85th minute with Glendale on the attack Postal broke away and McCauley made no mistake with his one on one with the keeper sliding the ball under the keeper.  The ball slowed down and it looked like the defender would clear off the line however the ball crossed over much to the delight of the Postal sideline.

1 – 4

FT

Man of the Match – Scott Stuart

Unused Subs – Grant Cormack

Given the recent run of form and luck, given the calibre of teams we have had to face consecutively, it would have been easy for Postal to shy away from todays challenge.  The team were excellent and didn’t give up on any loose ball. Defence looked solid, middle of the park creative and forwards created chaos for the Glendale defence creating numerous opportunities, well done.

Special mentions for the boys played out of position, Frampton, Steele, Brechin & Paterson who excelled.  Cotovici on some excellent forward play having a hand in 2 of the goals along with Stuart and Mciver rolling back the years.