The men (kids) in red traveled North to face the Glasgow Uni young team who previously beat Dumfries 3-2 in the reverse fixture. The task was made even more daunting when Dumfries were only able to muster up 9 players, thanks to Kershaw for stepping up from the 2s. It was worked out on the car up that the average age of the squad was only 20 years old!
The game started with Dumfries keeping GU at arm's length and limiting the student's chances. Eventually, the home side did break through when a bobbling shot found the goal. 1-0. Dumfries did look to threaten on the break and McFarlane had a chance after a marauding run down the right by Murray before cutting it back to McFarlane whose shot was just wide.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern with GU moving the ball side to side without creating many clear chances and keeper Oakes dealt with any shots they did manage. Dumfries continued to break when they could and the best chance came when Marshal burst through the middle of the pitch and slipped it to Johnston, whose shot was mistimed and went well wide. Dumfries were temporarily down to 8 when Bean received a green card but the students were unable to make their 3 man advantage count.
HT. 1-0
After a positive halftime team talk, Dumfries came back out in the second half well in the game. The 9 men forced their way back into the game when Johnston beat his man and burst into the 23 before slipping it to Bean. His pass then found an unmarked McFarlane who smashed the ball past the keeper to level the game. 1-1. GU started to move the ball quicker and used the wide areas forcing the 9 men to work hard. This eventually led to another opening for the students who retook the lead after a free man in the D bundled it over the line. 2-1. Dumfries kept the heads up and continued to make it hard for the Uni team, and it got their rewards after a rare Dumfries long corner. Johnston took it and burst into the D before smashing the ball into the bottom corner to once again tie up the game. 2-2. The third-quarter action didn't finish there with a series of short corners leading to a Glasgow uni shot which Johnston stopped on the line. The home side did manage 2 quick-fire goals before the end of the quarter, one of which was after some top-stick skills from the forward. 4-2.
In the 4th quarter, the toll of being 2 men short started to show. The students had more time on the ball and pinned the away side in their own 23 preventing them from getting out. They were patient on the ball and moved the defence around looking for openings and the free man. Some unbelievable saves from Oakes and some excellent last-ditch defending from Marshall and Murray limited the goals in the last quarter to 2.
FT. 6-2
An excellent shift from all 9 players who gave everything and never gave up all game. Scoring 2 excellent goals despite being 2 players short and limiting the goals conceded. The player of the match was all 9 who made the trip to Glasgow.
Next up is a double header v two Hillhead teams, Saturday in the league and Sunday in the Scottish Reserve Cup.