Busby Amateur Football Club

A narrow but deserved win for Busby who, in truth, played the better football over the 94 mins played. Busby's first chance came after 4 mins when Scot Bruce stepped into space to take a nice pass then he drove forward firing an excellent low shot across the Eaglesham keeper (Danny Moy - a name from the past and a golden oldie) which he palmed away. Oh for the players to have taken in the pre match comment to follow in as soon as the shot was hit - result a yard slow and the chance was gone. Busby continued to push and in 11 mins a lovely passing move down the right hand side resulted in a lovely weighted square pass into the box, alas no takers. Shortly after this Busby lost Robert Torney due to a thigh strain and he was replaced by John O'Neill. With in minutes John followed Scott's example by firing in another low shot which was again saved by the keeper but this time the follow up was blocked. Busby continued to dominate and on a couple of occasions Busby played flowing passing moves resulting in shots blocked by the Eaglesham defence. However much you dominate if you don't score you leave yourself open and in 24 minutes Andy Mellis gives away a cheap ball to an Eaglesham player and then committed a foull on him some 25yds out. Lucky for Andy that the wall did their job and blocked the resulting free kick. Although Busby were in control they had to be on their toes as a quick break , in 31 mins, by Eaglesham nearly resulted in a goal but for the last gasp block by Mark Smith. Busby once again pressed and pushed Eaglesham back with Davy Congolton getting onto a lovely weighted pass and bending a shot beyond Moy but also the post. Again the fact that Busby hadn't taken their chances almost cost them dear when in the 40th min Eaglesham fired a dangerous free kick into the Busby box which was missed by all. Half time loomed and despite the pressure Busby couldn't get past the Eaglesham keeper as seen by his save at the feet of Davy Congolton. However, Davy was not to be denied when a crisp passing move by Busby resulted in a crossfield pass by Scot Bruce to Davy followed by a clinical finish, 1 - 0 to Busby and right on half time. This was an excellent first half performance and the midfield energy of Ian Murphy was a treat to watch.
What would the second half bring? more Busby pressure resulting in some slick passing and moving with John (scoop)O'Neill receiving a nice pass, driving into the box and shooting over the bar - now you know why he is "scoop". Inexplicably, Busby lost their grip on the game and proceeded to let Eaglesham dominate for a 15 minute spell and create a few chances, a long range but weak shot, a quick attack but read well by Brian Carroll who cleared the danger. Eaglesham then won a corner and fired in a dangerous dipping cross which Brian Carroll cleared off the line - Penalty, hand ball, claimed the Eaglesham team but the referee never seemed to consider this. Busby had lost their way and play during this time was a bit scrappy. A second substitution by Busby took place in the 60th minute with Barry Shields making way for Tam MacMahon. Eaglesham continued to press and won another corner but Busby cleared and broke upfield, however, a good tackle on the halfway line stalled this attack. Busby had now managed to get back into the game and in the 63rd minute a good move by Busby resulted in Davy Congolton play a sweeet crossfield pass to Tam MacMahon, continue his run and receive the return resulting in a crisp volley just off target. Busby pushed and pushed resulting in three corners one after the other but were unable make a further breakthrough. Busby made their 3rd and final substitution in the 73rd minute replacing Mark Smith with Gerry Cummin. A flashpoint in the 74thrd minute saw Davy Congolton sent off for a push on an Eaglesham player but only after being on the receiving end of a kick. Violent conduct? perhaps a kick isn't? Instances like this can change a match and certainly it gave Eaglesam the upper hand but the many fouls prevented Eaglesham taking advantage. Busby were now looking a bit tired but in 85 minutes came the chance to kill the game - a break, Andy Mellis on the end of the long pass and into the box with the keeper to beat, chip him think the crowd but Andy takes it round Moy and plays a weak ball in but also no one following up - chance lost. Busby wern't finished and shortly after had another break into the Eaglesham box with Tam MacMahon firing a low drive past Moy but into the side netting. Cue Eaglesham realising that the game was slipping away resulted in some concerted pressure on the Busby defence, crosses fired in but stoutly defended, corner after corner but still no way through for Eaglesham. Anything that did get through, mainly crosses, was expertly dealt with by the Busby keeper. After 4 minutes of additional time the whistle goes and victory in this keenest of derbies belonged to Busby. Man of the match, between Bruce, Murphy and Congolton but for me it belonged, by a whisker, to Murphy.