Reivers 1
Alloa 0
EAST MEN’S DIVISION ONE
LOOKING for revenge after a 2-0 loss earlier in the season, Reivers hosted Alloa last Saturday with the belief that they had not done themselves justice in the first encounter.
A strong-looking home squad assembled and started off at a furious rate, denying the visitors time and space while attacking with vigour and precise passing.
The opening 15 minutes were dominated by the Reivers, with Andy Bell going close after some well-worked passing down the right wing.
The scoring was opened by Tim Watkin, slaloming into the circle from the centre of midfield before unleashing a vicious shot on goal. This should have been the catalyst for the Reivers to go on and have the game finished by half-time. Profligacy in front of goal, however, meant that the match was still very much in the balance at 1-0 at the break.
The second half started much the same for the home team, with more chances being created, but they simply could not find the goals which could ease the pressure. Gradually Alloa built in confidence, but a series of short corners proved fruitless with poor control and a lack of composure costing both teams.
The only other talking point of the half was the rather harsh looking green card issued to Gareth Roberts for lacking accuracy when passing the ball back to the Alloa midfield having given away a foul. A two-minute rest ensued but the Reivers managed to hold out.
In the end, the single strike was enough to win the game for the Reivers. However, they are acutely aware they will need to improve their chances to goals conversion rate to beat other teams in the league.
Captain Graham Lofthouse was happy with the result. He told TheSouthern: “The result shows that we won the game, but we made very hard work of it. It’s good that we are getting into scoring positions, but we just need to keep our composure and convert them.”
Reivers: S. Young, S. Ramsay, B. Montgomery, D, Johnston, P. Cairns, J. Bure, G. Lofthouse, G. Roberts, T. Watkin, S. Girvan, A. Bell. Subs: S. Conkie, J. Fletcher, J. Lamb, W. Dixon, P. Conkie.
Grange 9
Reivers 2
DISTRICT PLATE SECOND ROUND
On Sunday, The Reivers travelled to Edinburgh to face an impressive Grange team who sit proudly on top of Central Division One with some heavy victories in the league.
The Borderers turned in a battling performance, but unfortunately on this occasion were clearly outclassed.
After failing to convert chances the day before, the strike rate was much higher in this game with the Reivers converting from really the only shooting chances they created – Andy Bell and Jamie Lamb finding the backboard.
The game was in danger of being abandoned when a heavy shower of hailstones turned the pitch extremely treacherous underfoot and made the lines hard to see. This seemed to suit the Reivers, though, as it was then that they were most productive. On reflection, not the easiest of results to take, but the gulf in class was always going to make it a tough tie.
Captain Lofthouse was philosophical at the end of the game.
“It was hard going out there but we stuck to our task and worked hard all game,” he told us.
“We need to keep this in perspective though, we are still challenging at the top of the league and that has to be our priority.”
Reivers: I. Rae, S. Ramsay, B. Montgomery, P. Conkie, P. Cairns, W. Dixon, G. Roberts, T. Watkin, G. Lofthouse, S. Girvan, A. Bell. Subs: J. Lamb, Callum Stockdale, Colin Stockdale, C. Darling.