Emotional day for all at Tarbert
Tarbert 2
Easthall Star 1
SAFL Premier Division 2
LAST Saturday Tarbert welcomed Easthall Star to Cil Andreis for their first match since the tragic sinking of the Nancy Glen fishing boat. Both teams and a huge home support took part in a two-minute applause pre-match for the men who are still missing, one of whom, Duncan MacDougall, was a huge part of Tarbert Football Club for more than 30 years.
Soft conditions underfoot meant that it wasn’t going to be a day for silky passing football, however, the opening goal of the game was a fine piece of play. Tarbert battled well to win the ball in midfield and a defence-splitting through-ball allowed Johnson to race into the box and square for the unmarked Nikki MacDougall to tap home.
A couple of fine saves from Selfridge in the Tarbert goal kept the home side ahead of the team sitting third in the league table until the half hour mark when a fairly tame effort managed to slip into the Tarbert net to make the half time score 1-1.
Further inspirational words at half time upped the tempo in the second half and Tarbert took more control of the ball. Some half chances came and went but the bulk of the play was centred around tough tackling and each team battling to regain possession. Some feisty challenges were flying in which would come to boiling point later in the game but on the hour mark, Tarbert took the lead.
Some hesitation in the Easthall defence allowed MacKinnon to nip in and round the keeper before slotting into the empty net and sending the home crowd into raptures.
This was no more than Tarbert deserved given the effort and application shown throughout the match and proved to be decisive in the end.
The last half an hour of the match was full of fouls as the away side grew more and more frustrated and it came to a head with 15 minutes to go as Selfridge and the Easthall forward were both shown straight red cards.
One further chance fell to Tarbert late on to seal the result but in the end 2-1 was enough for the three points and a fitting end to a very emotional day.
This weekend Tarbert are away to Port Glasgow on league duty. Fundraising efforts continue in support of the Nancy Glen campaign with various raffles and other events underway – any contributions are most appreciated and welcome at this difficult time.