Dumfries 2’s travelled to Glasgow Green on Saturday for their return match with Rottenrow 3’s having just played them several weeks earlier at home suffering a very heavy defeat.With this victory fresh in their mind, Rottenrow probably expected a canter in the hail, rain and sunshine that the match was played out in but the end result was a very creditable and well deserved draw for the vising team.The first half of the match was very evenly contested with Iain soon testing the home keeper with a sharp shot which was well turned away. This was soon replicated at the other end of the pitch but Keeper Moscrop was alert to the danger and kept his goal intact. Play continued to ebb back and forward with the Rottenrow team discovering how well the youngsters in the Dumfries side were playing backed up their more experienced senior players so it wasn’t a surprise for the half to end goalless.

urning around at halftime, Rottenrow still looked like a team expecting the goals to flow like their previous encounter but solid play from the midfield of Jack, Ryan, Joshua, Iain and Max backed up by John, Calum and Tom (Law) upfront, backed up by the defensive efforts of Phil, Liam, Mikey and Taylor kept them at bay until midway through the quarter an unmarked Rottenrow player at the top of the D slotted home a bouncing shot for the opening goal. Sensing relief and expecting more goals to follow, Rottenrow probably expected the floodgates to open but Dumfries didn’t buckle and continued to more than match their opponents as the youngsters continuing development became apparent. Going into the final quarter, Iain picked up a loose ball in the midfield and as the Rottenrow defenders were left standing in his wake, he comfortably placed his shot past the advancing Keeper to tie the match score. This really stung Rottenrow into action and for the remainder of the quarter they pressed for a winner which Dumfries were not prepared to concede. At times it was all hands on deck as the Dumfries players worked tirelessly to hold onto their point. With the clock running down to full time, Rottenrow secured a ‘fortunate’ penalty corner in the final seconds of the match. With the corner having to be played out, Rottenrow surrounded the D hoping to capitalise on their final opportunity but the Dumfries defence held firm, firstly with Keeper Moscrop making a double save to thwart one of the Rottenrow players from close range with the loose ball then ushered to safety and off the pitch sideline by the combined efforts of Phil and Iain to be followed by the final whistle to secure the draw.

Grateful thanks to Rottenrow for supplying both umpires for the game and the pitch side hospitality thereafter.

YPOTM: Liam Mills for another strong performance