Fjordhus Reivers 1
Grange V 4
EAST MEN’S DIVISION ONE
IT WAS a sombre looking side that gathered at Tweedbank to host Grange V after a heavy defeat to Grange Development the week before.
The Reivers knew that they had to take something positive from the game in order to stop the loss of confidence defeat brings.
Unfortunately, after a wobbly first 10 minutes without conceding, the Borderers proceeded to gift possession to Grange, who accepted it gladly to slot the ball home past stranded keeper Stephen Young.
Shaken, Reivers repeated the move within a minute, making the rest of the half a struggle to regain any sort of fluency within the team. A third goal was conceded before half-time, largely ensuring the result for the visitors.
After some stern words at the break, Reivers resolved to make the match more of a contest and the second half started in a more positive vein.
The hosts were now able to press the Grange defence and force turn overs and errors. Unfortunately, during one of these attacks, Bruce Montgomery received a ball in the face and had to retire, leaving the home side sown to 10 players.
Undaunted by further adversity, Reivers continued to press, with great work from Graham Lofthouse, supported by better link play from the rest of the team, so it was really no surprise that the aforementioned eventually found a gap and fired past the Grange keeper to claw one back.
The Borderers continued to play in this more positive way and were unlucky not to add a second. Eventually, however, the extra man told for Grange, who were able force an opening to make it four and seal their win.
While this is another loss for Reivers, the second-half performance had them showing some of what they can do to progress to gaining league points in their future matches.
Border Reivers: S. Young, P. Conkie, B. Montgommery, D. Johnston, C. Stockdale, J. Fletcher, G. Lofthouse, S. Girvan, G. Roberts, C. D. Stockdale, P. Cairns.