Neck-and-neck encounter ends in a draw for spirited Paisley side
Ke l b u r n e h o s t e d Edinburgh University knowing they were in for a tough game following a 1-1 draw earlier in the season.
On a rare sunny afternoon, both 2’ s teams started reasonably well, but neither created any clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes.
The first major talking point happened midway through the first half when Andrew Duff received the ball up at the top of the circle, skipped passed one defender and, in the process of taking it round the keeper, was bundled over in a clumsy tackle from the keeper.
Both umpires looked at each other and, with neither making a decision, play ended with a hit out to the defence.
Minutes later, after some good work down the left side from Mike Jones, his pass found Ross Wallace on the base line, who, again, looked to be fouled, but managed to stay on his feet to get a shot off. However, it was comfortably saved.
It was Edinburgh Uni that could, and probably should, have taken the lead when their forward found himself free in the circle, but dragged his shot wide.
In the final 10 minutes of the half, Kelburne won two short corners, but failed to convert either.
In a fairly even half, both teams showed enough to believe they could push on for the win.
After a spirited team talk from coach Colin McClure, Kelburne began much brighter, trying to press their rivals higher up the pitch.
This led to the Paisley men winning the ball in more dangerous positions, but, unfortunately, some wayward shooting and last ditch tackles kept the scoreline goalless.
However, with the higher press from Kelburne, this did leave some gaps, which the uni team managed to exploit with their fast counter attacking style.
Fortunately, from Kelburne’s point of view, these attacks came to nothing thanks to the back four of Mark Connor, Fraser Scott, Stuart Robin and Phil Nijsen.
Entering the last 10 minutes, it was Edinburgh Uni that took the lead through a penalty flick, beating Douglas McEwan low to his right.
With five minutes remaining, Kelburne broke out from the back and when Ewan Carmichael found Jones inside the circle, his clever square pass eliminated the goalkeeper to allow Ross McPherson to finish in what would prove to be a deserving equalising goal.
The capital side pushed hard in the remaining two minutes to find a winner, but, thanks to McEwan in the Kelburne goal, the team held on.
A spokesman said: “In the end, it was a good point for Kelburne against a strong and disciplined Edinburgh Uni team.”
Next up, Kelburne 2’s take on Grange 2’s in the final game before the winter shut down.