| BRU GET THEIR REVENGE IN STYLE Hoops 3 Irn Bru 7 |
| In the now annual supporters clash, the Irn Bru select demolished the Hoops and gained revenge after last year's 3-2 defeat. The game was almost in jeopardy with several late call-offs threatening to abandon the fixture. But thanks to some last minute arrangements, both sides fielded 10 players at the Castlemilk venue. In the absence of a referee or even a whistle, the game started emphatically with the words "Right, go!" and both sides contested an even opening ten minutes. The Hoops, however, broke the dead lock soon after. Some defensive confusion resulted in Hector Cook collecting the ball some distance from goal ( Cheque better be in the post ). With Kelly in no-man's land, he managed to curl the ball into the postage stamp corner, despite a touch from the goalkeeper, to open the scoring. The Bru came roaring back, but Hoops goalkeeper Andy McNaught was in top form and he tipped a 15 yard effort past his left-hand post. But soon after, the score was level. Alan Tannahill hammered home from close range after a scramble in the penalty area. James Turnbull should have regained the lead for the Hoops, but his close range shot was tipped onto the bar by Kelly. After some more pressure from the Black and Whites, the Bru charged up the field and gained a corner. After being swung in and only temporarily cleared, defender David James was on hand to lash in a second. Despite more pressure from the Hoops, defenders James and Dave Hilley coped well and managed to launch downfield to Graeme Shields who took the ball on a solo run before firing past McNaught. Ok, there is where it gets a bit complicated. Hector Cook then changed sides from Hoops to Bru whilst Alan Johnston came on for the Hoops. And Cook was on-hand to score another - this time for the Bru - with a scissors kick ( ! ) from close-range. This fine goal was enough to give the Bru a 4-1 lead at half-time. At half-time, Ally Dick came on for the Hoops whilst Joe Mullaney switched sides and joined the Bru to even things up a bit. Mullaney also took the place of Blair James in the process. Confused? You should be!! After pressure and missed chances from the Hoops, they finally got a goal back. A good cross from David Clancy found the head of James Turnbull who could hardly fail to score with a header from a yard out. But with the Hoops favouring the attacking 19th Century style formation, they completely neglected their defensive duties and this allowed Hector Cook to score another after a fine run which saw him skin Derek Stronach. ( Well, so he says anyway ). The Hoops didn't give up though and scored after defensive confusion at a corner situation. Andy Dick's low cross wasn't cleared and Alan Johnston hooked in from 5 yards at the near post. Could they mount a comeback? Emphatically, no. In the space of around 10 minutes, the Bru scored another couple to put the game beyond doubt. First Andy Myles worked a one-two with Shields before striking a sixth and then 13 year-old Andrew McNaught scored the goal of the day by beating his dad in the Hoops goal. David Ferguson released the youngster who took a touch before hammering the ball high into the net. And goalie McNaught tried to get a goal back near the end with a Schmeichel-esque run into the Bru penalty area, but the corner couldn't find his head. Some more Hoops pressure followed but several long-range drives were blocked bravely by the Bru defence. So overall it was a fine match played in good spirit. Roll on next year! Teams Hoops: Andy McNaught, Joe Mullaney ( Ally Dick 46 ), Paul Bladworth, Derek Stronach, Hector Cook ( Alan Johnston 20 ), Andrew Dick, Eileen Myles, Alistair McNaught, James Turnbull, David Clancy. Goals: Cook, Turnbull, Johnston. Irn Bru: Martin Kelly, Dave Hilley, Fraser Gibson, Blair James ( Joe Mullaney 46 ), David James, Graeme Shields, Andy Myles, David Ferguson, Alan Tannahill, Andrew McNaught, Hector Cook ( switch after Alan Johnston's arrival ). Goals: Tannahill, David James, Shields, Cook ( 2 ), Myles, Andrew McNaught. |