ESM 1
Fjordhus Reivers 3
EAST MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
REIVERS travelled to Inverleith eager to make amends for a narrow defeat to Falkirk last week – however, in their way stood an ESM outfit unbeaten in East 1 this season.
The first shot on target came from in-form Reivers striker Gareth Roberts, the home keeper doing well to narrow the angle and save.
ESM looked slightly the better team, with accurate passing and good movement by their forwards. All that was lacking was a killer instinct.
For Reivers’ part, they looked strong on the breakout, with Jordan Bure returning on the left flank to provide plenty of pace.
With ESM struggling to break down the visiting defence, their most likely route to goal was from short corners. A home strike finally came after an initial shot was blocked, only for the rebound to be slotted home.
At this stage, Reivers did not look in great shape. They were not only a goal behind, but were losing the battle to control midfield. They did, however, look dangerous when in possession.
The Borderers took the field with renewed zeal for the second half. The ball was zipped around the back, probing for gaps to exploit.
From a good move up the right wing, the ball fell to Ben Culham at the edge of the circle, his powerful shot proving too much for the home goalkeeper.
With ESM tiring, Reivers stepped up a gear, moving the ball much more freely than in the first half and providing greater movement from midfield.
Their second goal came from a sweeping move down the left flank with the ball transferred into the circle. The initial shot was blocked, but old stager Scott Girvan was on hand at the back post to scoop the ball into the net.
ESM are clearly not a team used to losing and mounted pressure on the home defence. Again, a series of short corners were repelled, with the visiting defence often reduced to clearing the ball anywhere away from the circle.
The pressure was finally relieved, however, when Roberts broke up the pitch, spinning two defenders before driving the ball into the circle, only for it to be deflected past the keeper. New rules this season mean what used to be a long corner is now an own goal.
This was far from a complete performance from Reivers, but having not played particularly well, they are sitting with two wins from three away games.
Fjordhus Reivers: S. Young, B. Montgomery, P. Conkie, D. Johnston, S. Girvan, C. Stockdale, G.Lofthouse, B. Culham, J. Fletcher, J. Bure, G. Roberts. Subs: J. Fletcher and P. Cairns.