MATCH REPORT
Date : 11th July 2023
Opposition : Chirnside FC
Venue : Home
Scorers : Sam Straughan 3, Rhys Dixon 2, Michael Robinson
Booked : None
Sent Off : None
Attendance : 119
Referee : Kevin Home
Team Lineup :
Ryan Dunn
Joao Vieira
Craig Heath
Evan Smith
Trialist
Rhys Dixon
Jack Forster
Jay Atkinson
Craig Bell
Michael Robinson
Sam Straughan
Subs :
Danny Fletcher
Leighton Robertson on for Craig Bell 70 mins
Khaz Mdlasini on for Jay Atkinson 45 mins
Brad Smith on for Sam Straughan 45 mins
Jack Cummings on for Trialist 40 mins
Jay Baverstock
Match Report :
Tweedmouth raced into a three goal lead inside the opening twenty minutes of this pre-season friendly but didn’t score again until twelve minutes from full time.
Hitting the ball on the run, Michael Robinson was denied a 3rd minute opener when Sean Beacroft tipped his shot over the bar. Two minutes later, Chirnside’s first half keeper was beaten by Sam Straughan’s excellent finish after taking an equally good cross field ball from Rhys Dixon.
Straughan paid him back in the 13th minute. Receiving the ball to the right of goal, he appeared to be going nowhere with a lateral run inside the box in the other direction but, with Chirnside unable to get in an effective challenge, ended it by giving Dixon the chance to fire low into the net.
Playing in midfield, Dixon netted again on 20 minutes, this time with a volley from 20 yards out.
At 1-0 down, Sean Lackenby had come close with a header off a long free kick and now, three down, Chirnside got back in the picture winning a couple of corners.
Early in the second half, Dixon crossed from the left to Robinson but new goalie Keith Hood tipped his header over the bar. Tweedmouth continued to struggle to bring moves to fruition. Instead, they were twice forced into last seconds’ action to preserve a clean sheet. After a trio of teammates were confused by both the sun and the bounce of the ball, Craig Heath managed to prevent a near certain goal. Next, skipper Jack Forster cleared off the line following another United corner.
Straughan’s re-introduction helped to pep up Rangers. Robinson sent him on his way for his second goal of the night on 78 mins. Chirnside were now yielding too much ground to the hosts and Heath was able to turn and hit a powerful shot just outside the post. With four minutes remaining, Rangers went nap. The ball went up the left from Leighton Robertson to Khaz Mdalasini and on to Straughan to score again.
In the final minute, Robinson was given clear sight of goal and cashed in with an unstoppable crack from 35 yards.
Tweedmouth travel to West Lothian this Saturday, July 15th, for their third pre-season game versus West Calder United, the only one against fellow East of Scotland League opponents.
Match Photographs
