’Dale crush Brodick in hard-fought friendly
Brodick 1 Carradale 4
LIKE CAESAR, Carradale came, saw and conquered after a beach landing on Arran.
Carradale, without a WoSL fixture on Saturday, was happy to cross the Kilbrannan Sound.
For the island’s 2016 champions Brodick, it was a pre-season friendly as football across the water is a summer game.
Seven-a-side
To keep the players’ feet in this winter, Brodick have played seven-a-side but it was no match for The Andrew Smith and Son-sponsored East Kintyre outfit’s 11 men.
A Carradale spokesman said: ‘It was quite a bruis- ing game with tough tackles but great sportsmanship.’
In the opening 20 minutes ’Dale had most of the possession and dominated the park, with a couple of good chances from Adam Graham and David Johnstone (DJ).
In the 25th minute the visitors took the lead with a long ball through on the left. The home goalie failed to control it and Gregor Croll pounced on the loose ball and scored from an acute angle.
’Dale still had the bulk of the play coming up to the break but the hosts strong back four kept the goal ball free.
Carradale’s four subs allowed them to play a three, five, two formation after the break but it seemed to bring Brodick more into the game and it was no surprise when, in the 56th minute, they equalised.
’Dale, also sponsored by the Commercial Bar, Campbeltown, reverted to their relaxed four, four, two structure and with 19 minutes to go took the lead.
A Daniel Docherty corner, from the right, was headed by Dave McCallum leading to a spectacular overhead shot into the net from DJ, which no keeper could have saved.
Four minutes later, Declan Wilson made a magnificent save to keep the visitors ahead.
’Dale put the game beyond Brodick’s reach with two goals inside four minutes in the 80th and 84th minute.
DJ again showed his skills to beat two defenders and make a beautiful chip to Stuart MacPhail who headed the ball past the keeper.
Minutes later, Lewis Norris, usually a defender, scored his first goal in two seasons of playing for the team. He picked up a loose ball 22 yards out to send a superb curling shot in at the keeper’s left hand post and finish the game.
Hospitality
’Dale’s spokesman said: ‘We want to thank the Brodick club for their hospitality at the Ormidale hotel and hope to see them in Kintyre in late July or August.’
Man of the match was David Johnstone.
Carradale are in action tonight (Friday); kick-off at 7pm, on Lochgilphead’s Ropework Park against Bellaire.