News Detail » SAFA Result v Motherwell Match Report

Challenge Match

Motherwell FC 0 v SAFA Select 3

Played @ Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie 26th March 2013.

A French Academy team over as guests of Motherwell FC were fielded against the Association select, their players recruited from all over France according to one of the entourage and while difficult to gauge they looked a stage above our pro-youth teams standards.

As for the Scottish team manager, he had more pressing matters to attend and was concentrating on getting a group of players that can work together and to develop a system that suits them in the time available before the crucial test against the Leinster Senior League.

He would have no complaint on the evening as the players stuck to their task with both style and vigour and seemed to take up residence in their opponents half of the field with the only black mark was a scorned chance with the goal at their mercy.

Then in the 25th minute the Association deservedly went ahead, under pressure the French defence were unable to cope with a run from deep from Nathan Austiin and a cynical foul ended his progress as he entered the 18-yard box but unperturbed he got due reward when he dispatched for the spot, his left foot drive wide of the keepers grasp.

The goal had an immediate effect on our continental cousins, they suddenly became more adventurous and Ryan Ward did well to hold a snap shot from their tricky number eleven. At this time the SAFA manager showed some anxiety as his team seemed to be giving the ball away easily but his concern was short lived just before the break they doubled their advantage.

Attacking in numbers, Craig Buchanan would cross the ball into the mix, the flight deceiving the keeper and there was Austin on hand to take full advantage from close range.

The bench was emptied for the start of the second period to give all the players at least 45 minutes with the unforced changes had little effect on the flow of the game. Passing remained crisp and neat with Steven Tyczyniski becoming the new tormentor in chief but for their enterprise we had to wait till the 83rd minute for a third goal.

The wait was worth it, good work from Craig Hasting was rewarded when Gary O’Hanlon delivered his pass high into the roof of the net.

A worthwhile exercise was the general consensus, now Bruce McNaught and his management team have the next few days before listing the 16 names for Dublin and given the standard shown by the players it will be no easy task.

GOALS

Nathan Austin (Leven United) 25th min penalty.

Nathan Austin (Leven United) 40th min

Gary O’Hanlon (Whitehill AFC) 83rd min

SAFA TEAM

1. Ryan Ward Ashvale Victoria AFC

2. Lance Pearce Drumchapel United AFC

3. Ally Brown Postal United AFC

4. Colin McLeod Bannockburn AFC

5. Craig Buchanan Giffnock North AFC

6. Tommy Murray Colville Park AFC

7. Neil McClure Glasgow Harp AFC