Hello again dear Readers,

Another saturday and the coaches have worked hard again to get the game on, although it was the unpopular MMM surface at Mearns Castle. The great news was the returm of Michael for his first league game since his injury, and a full subs bench at last.

The opposition looked a strong team in the warm up, with some big lads in their midst. They were clearly up for it as they competed from the off, and took an early lead with a superbly headed goal from a corner. (No wonder they took a point off Hamilton in their last game).

County were again lack-lustre at the start and everyone srtuggled to get the ball under control and pass it around. However, as usual the lads got going with Paul leading the way with a series of magic runs which all went close but eluded both posts and our players. Tom was giving him great support and Craig was a growing presence in the middle. The defence was tighter now with Kevin,Callum,Tam and Anton working well together and Lewis hardly having anything to do at all.

But as hard as County pressed, the equaliser was elusive, until 10 mins before h-t when Tom picked up the ball 36 yards out,looked up and smacked a cracker which screamed into the top left hand corner for his first league goal of the season...and what a goal to do it with! It's been coming Tom...well done!!!

Liam and Joe had played well but the coaches made tactical changes with Mark and Euan coming on and immediately combining with Jack which threatened the St Andrew's goal.

10 minutes into the second, Mark scored with a very calmly taken shot from the edge of the area, into the far corner of ther net. This settled the lads and with Craig now upfront and Jack in midfield, the ball was feeding Paul continually who was tormenting all of their defenders, no matter who they put on him... Paul was outstanding all game again and this consistency encourages the whole team - well done Paul!

Dougie then came on and turned the game conclusively in County's favour with two cracking goals, both being set up by Paul's runs and crosses...the first was instant control of a hard cross and a left foot volley into the top left hand corner... get in Dougie!!! There are not going to be many more welcome or popular goals than that this all season.

St. Andrew's rallied again and got a goal back until Dougie got a second by following a shot in and burying it past the goalie. Well done Dougie...this is just what we all wanted to see.

Leo and Michael came on to shore things up very ably and County held fast to the final whistle .

It was a tough game lads and St Andrew's are clearly going to cause lots of problems for all teams. Whilst it was not a vintage performance, it was a solid one with everyone working hard for each other and listening to the coaches advice.

The ref' had a super game and singled out Joe, Paul and Craig for special praise and the supporters thought Mark and Callum, with Mark just shading it with his foot-on-the ball, head-up and 'give-and-go' philosophy.

Mark and Callum are really impressing the coaches with their calming and confident play....it is great to see the ball being spread around lads ..well done!

However, there was only one MOM for the coaches... super sub Dougie made all the difference with his two fantastically taken goals and his all round display, chasing their players down and feeding the ball through to our supporting players up-front. Welcome back Dougie...you're the Man!!!

Final score 4-2 and Couny overtake Saints and go top of the league for the first time!

Every game is clearly going to be hard this year and we will need all 16 players contributing to the team if we are to challenge for the title. Last year we lost 4 games by 3-2 in the league and we need to ensure that we concentrate hard at all times so there's no slip-ups. But there is a LONG way to go lads....13 more games infact. Let's enjoy it!

Supporters mom...Mark
Coaches mom..... Dougie
Goals...Tom, Mark and Dougie{2}