News Detail » SAFA Select 3 Midlands Select 2: Match Report
UEFA Regions Cup 2014
Final Preparation Match
SAFA Select 3 Midlands Select 2
@ Ravenscraig Indoors
on Sunday 8th June 2014
The final game on the road to Slovenia went ahead indoor at Ravenscraig due to weather conditions against a Midlands AFC select made up principally from St James AFC recent winner of the North of Tay Amateur Cup.
The scheduling of the fixture was to give the SAFA squad an edge before the trip to Slovenia.
There was no goals in the first period with John Nisbet (Tollcross Thistle AFC) a virtual spectator while his opposite number was forced into two good saves as the SAFA Select side turned on the style.
The second half was in stark contrast and had hardly started when Jamie Bradley finished a fine move with his low drive on target. Celebrations had hardly died down when the home side doubled their advantage with Martin Shields (Eastfield AFC) grabbing the glory with a magical volley from some 25-yards that would give the visiting keeper no chance.
This seemed to sting the Midlands into action and trouble the home defence with some determined play and in the 78th minute they got some joy when the splendid John Foley (St James AFC) fired low past Jordan Longmuir (Colville Park AFC) to bring his team into contention.
Some bruising encounters followed as the visitors stove for parity but with around ten minutes remaining a powerful header from Ryan Hynds (Drumchapel AFC) looked to have sealed an impressive and deserved victory. However, the Scottish Select had to wait to celebrate with their nerves once again jangled when the Midlands Select Side once again narrowed the advantage when John Foley got the time and space to find the target with a neat crisp drive that whizzed past big Jordan on its way into the back of the net.
There would be no more goals as the select recorded another victory and leave Bruce McNaught and his management team with room for thought.
Match Report and Photographs (here) by SAFA International Publicist John Rodgers
