Tass Milan (1) V (8)Stewarton Annick 97's (League)

07 March 2010

After weather enforced another lay off Stewarton Annick returned to league action against a very physical Tass Milan team languishing at the bottom end of the league.

The first 10 minutes highlighted to Stewarton that this was not going to be an easy game without hard work. Tass came at us strong and with no hesitation of going for the ball. It took until the 21st minute before Fraser netted with a header from a corner by Moffat. It was no more than we deserved after applying constant pressure.

That pressure paid off immediately as another corner was forced in the 23rd minute which Williamson placed a side foot volley neatly past the defence after a scramble in the box. Two minutes later and Carruth made it 3 rounding off with a neat finish from a loose ball after some neat work by Moffat.

Tass never gave up and continued to probe but Stewarton's defence remained solid with Donnachie and Beveridge playing superbly. Williamson decided to venture up the park for another corner in the 25th minute and pounced on a loose ball and placed a well-struck volley past the onrushing defence and into the net.

Half time change saw Carruth off for Mclean. Two minutes in to the second half and Moffat slotted home after some good work by Pioli in midfield. Pioli and McMaster were causing problems all game for the Tass midfield with an excellent work rate. 38 minutes in to the game and Fraser broke through the middle and on to a sublime diagonal ball from Beveridge before slotting the ball home (6-0). The game dipped for 10 minutes with Nesbitt replacing Cooke and Milne replacing the injured Williamson. Tass were applying pressure but it was Stewarton that scored again after a lovely through ball by Pioli was finished off by Mclean.

Tass regrouped and scored a scrappy goal after the ball was lost in midfield and they broke quickly (7-1). Further substitutions were made and it took until the 65th minute for Stewarton to increase that lead to 8-1 via some sublime skill from Pioli.

Apart from the goal scorers it is fair to say that Donnachie and Beveridge had excellent games and Millar's handling was superb, as was his touchline save from a goal bound header in the first half. Results haven't always been in line with performances but we are getting there.

Squad: Millar (GK), Williamson (Milne 50), Cooke (Nesbitt 50), Beveridge, Donnachie (C), McPherson, Carruth (McLean 35), Pioli, McMaster (Muir 62), Moffat (Mallan 62), Fraser.