Spurs' scrappy return to football

Published 4 Sep 2009 12:04 0 Comments

Linton Hotspur 0 v 1 Peebles Ams

IT was a day of firsts - Linton Hotspur returned to competitive football action for the first time in 40 years, while referee Craig Rogerson took charge of his first ever Borders Embroideries league match.

A crowd of over 150 people lined the Moor Road pitch to mark this auspicious occasion - and it was a derby too!

Hotspur took to the field to the ominous strains of 'Another One Bites the Dust - the DJ obviously a fan of historical irony.

However, as the scoreline suggests this was a somewhat scrappy affair with neither side ever really dominating.

Ams had the better of the opening play culminating in striker Keenan Smith hitting the cross bar with a dipping 20 yard freekick on 5mins.

The game then descended into a fairly even midfield battle with several long range attempt's from Hotspur midfielder, Campbell Forsyth.

The biggest cheer of the half came on 21 mins when Hotspur midfielder, Peter Whelan, chanced a long range attempt only to see his effort knock a pint from the hand of a luckless spectator behind the goal.

Ams were unlucky not to go ahead on 40 mins when a volley from Jason Kain was smothered at source by Hotspur keeper Ronnie Armour.

However, the Peebles side did take the lead only minutes later when a save by Armour fell at the feet of Ams striker, Rory Brands, who coolly slotted home.

Ref Craig Rogerson's biggest decisions of the day arose just as halftime approached.

The Innerleithen official waved away Hotspur claims that Ams captain, Chris Robertson, handled in the box before likewise waving away Ams protests on the resulting break as Keenan Smith was upended in the area.

Hotspur came out determined in the second half but were unable to dent Peebles' father and son rearguard of George and Ryan Gray.

Hotspur had their keeper to thank once more on 60 mins after some good work down the right from Rory Brands who squared it to Smith only for Armour to save with his feet.

Hotspur's best chance of an equaliser cam on 80 mins when striker Frankie Harrison found himself free in the box with only the keeper to beat but he placed his shot wide of the right post.

With only minutes remaining Ams should really have sealed it after more good work from Brands down the right.

His low cross was behind his strike partner Smith but directly in the path of onrushing midfielder McDonald who scuffed his shot with the goal gaping.

Peebles face Selkirk at home this Saturday while Hotspur's game against St Boswell's has been rearranged and they now face a layoff until Sept 12 when they welcome Yetholm.

Peebles: S Murphy, R Gray, G Gray, C Robertson, C Brownstein, S Meikle, R Meikle, S Mcdonald, R Brands, K Smith.

Linton Hotspur: R Armour, S Downie, M Thompson, R Kidd, D Couper, P Whelan, C Forsyth, S McFarlane, A Cussiter, D Fraser, F Harrison.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 04 Sep 09

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