Bad first-half show spoils it for Doune

Castle lose their first league defeat of the season

Eddiewood ............ 3 Doune Castle ........ 2

Doune’s slipshod opening half-hour where they shipped three goals left them with a mountain to climb resulting in their first Caledonian League Division 1A defeat of the season.

Poor defending in that early period saw Eddlewood surge ahead into a lead which Doune were unable to overcome - despite them dominating possession.

The home side took a 1-0 lead after five minutes when Doune lost possession on the edge of their box and an easy finish followed.

They made it 2-0 on 14 minutes after a blocked clearance fell kindly to a forward who smashed in home from eight yards.

Doune dominated possession, but were unable to reduce the deficit and they fell further behind after 37 minutes. A snap-shot from the edge the area deceived Adam Smulski and nestled in the top corner for 3-0.

The comeback started just before the break. Ross Macfarlane won a powerful challenge and headed forward to Alan Inglis who strode forward past one defender and raced in on goal.

And from 16 yards he drilled a precise left-foot drive across the keeper and into the far corner.

Doune started the second half determinedly. They peppered the home goal but a combination of bad luck and good keeping allowed Eddlewood to protect their two-goal advantage.

Robert Purves gave Doune renewed hope on 82 minutes. Callum Macdougall drilled a free kick from a wide left area to the back post and Purves broke clear to squeeze the ball into the net from six yards.

Castle committed everyone forward as they tried to salvage the point their overall performance undoubtedly merited. Four minutes into added time, David Innes connected perfectly with a Purves corner but the Eddlewood keeper produced an astonishing reaction save to turn the ball round the post.

The game ended with Doune totally frustrated by their own first-half slackness and inability to turn their second half dominance into more goals. Doune Castle: Smulski, D Innes, Macfarlane (Balmer), Coubrough, Macdougall, Purves, Wilbert (A Innes), McClure, Marshall, Inglis, Duszynski Substitute: Docherty.

On Saturday, Doune hope to get back to winning ways when Weirs visit Moray Park for a league match.