Central League: Division 1

  Dunipace 1 - 0 Blantyre Victoria  

Dunipace: Grant (56)

Match Report by Marc "Scoop" Pincombe

Dunipace welcomed Blantyre on the back of 8 games without a win, so it was fair to say that at this stage of the season this fixture was almost win at all costs for the Pace. Blantyre for their part were equally in need of a win, marooned at the bottom of the league with 1 point from 6 games.

Manager Craig McKinlay was without Willie Henderson and Keiron McIllduff for different reasons, but would have been relieved to be able to name Brian Grant in the team after a two week absence. Grants inclusion allowed the Pace to continue with their tried and tested 5-4-1 formation with David Moodie replacing the suspended McIllduff as the lone striker.

From the kick off there were no signs of anyone being allowed to ease themselves into the game as a frantic pace was set. Dunipace made their intentions clear in the 2nd minute when Cairney exchanged passes with Grant before curling toward the bottom corner. Sadly the effort lacked enough pace and the Blantyre keeper McGraw gathered low to his right.

This set the tone for the opening 20 minutes, with Dunipace probing at the Blantyre defence, trying to allow the midfield freedom to support Moodie. Grant and Brown linked up well on the right, but the final ball was missing on this occasion and the danger passed.

Then Wright, playing in an unfamiliar left midfield role, released Mullen down that flank with an audacious back heel. Mullen's cross was just over the head of Moodie and former Pace player James Orr was able to avert any danger.

Blantyre's only effort of note during this period was during a rare foray forward that ended when the left back showed exactly why he plays there and ballooned a 25 yard shot over McCurleys crossbar.

Dunipace should have broken the deadlock after 23 minutes when Wright released Brown whose low cross provided an opening for Moodie. Perhaps rustiness played its part when the striker spooned his effort high to the back post where the onrushing Donald could only slip and knock the ball wide from 3 yards.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Dunipace were almost the architects of their own downfall when an aimless ball towards the centre backs resulted in a moment of indecisiveness that allowed Cochrane a clear sight of goal, McCurley having to be alert to save to his left hand side to keep the scores level.

This gave Blantyre some encouragement, and in the next 10 minutes they would have their best spell of the game with first a neat exchange of passes allowing the Blantyre substitute Miller an opportunity to shoot from 15 yards followed almost immediately by another effort from Cochrane from a similar distance. Luckily for Dunipace neither player had packed their shooting boots and both efforts flew over.

The first half then proceeded to peter out in a mundane fashion, perhaps best illustrated by the harsh booking received by Reid for a fairly innocuous challenge.

The scrappy tone continued into the second half, where it took a driving run in the 55th minute by Wright down the left to liven the game up. He drove past three players at pace before sending his shot skyward on his weaker foot from 25 yards.

Football, however, is an unpredictable game. This was shown in the very next minute when Dunipace took the lead from a very smart move. A good ball into Moodie saw the striker lay off expertly in to the path of Brian Grant, who coolly drew the onrushing keeper and calmly slotted the ball under him to give Dunipace a precious advantage.

Grant took the congratulations in his stride and then proceeded to enthral the crowd with an audacious dummy, leaving the Blantyre defender having to find the money to pay his way back in to the ground. Having created the space, he sidestepped the keeper and cut back to a waiting Moodie who was unfortunate to see his effort crash off the angle of post and bar.

It was hard to see how Blantyre could answer this sudden Dunipace assault, but they worked their way back into the game and the tone was set for the second half. Blantyre assumed the bulk of the possession and Dunipace looked to break where possible. This was shown when a Blantyre cross from the left skiffed off Oates' head and allowed Miller to steal in on Donald's blindside to shoot narrowly wide. Seconds later Moodie's half hit shot trickled past after Donald had intercepted and released Wright.

That was the young strikers' last contribution as he was replaced by Pincombe with 20 minutes remaining having run himself into the ground.

Despite Blantyre having the lion's share of the ball, it was Dunipace who were attacking with more purpose when in possession. Grant and Govan combined well only for Grant to shoot wide and then Cairneys cross into the box allowed Pincombe a header that the Blantyre keeper gathered.

Blantyre were being restricted to long range efforts at this point as the Dunipace back 4 of Brown, Reid, Oates and Mullen were proving an immovable object. Their frustration became evident when Graham had a pop from 30 yards which sailed harmlessly wide of McCurleys goal.

Still, the full time whistle from the referee was welcomed by the Dunipace contingent who doubtlessly realised the significance of the 3 points and could now turn their attentions to another crunch game against Johnstone Burgh next week.