A couple of players missing (Gary Cahill & Stevie Guy) meant that Tannahill started with a changed team from last weeks good victory over Glynhill. At the back Chris Dunbar returned and started at sweeper with Ross Watson starting up front after his two goal show the previous week.

The game started lively enough on a very poor pitch with the Tans pressing at every opportunity. With Alan Waters providing delap-esque throws deep into the Paisley box, it wasnt long before one resulted in a goal. Good work by Matthews allowed the throw-in deep in the Paisley half which was flicked on at the front post. John Campbell reacted quickly to outjump his marker and head in the first goal of the game.

This should have been the catalyst to many attacks by the Tans but with the forward line of Fraser and Watson struggling to get a hold of the ball it was quickly back towards the Tans goal. This resulted in a goal for Paisley when Willie McMenamay at left back tried to back heel the ball, rather than kick it out, to Campbell. This was intercepted by the Paisley right midfielder who passed it forward to the Paisley forward. After at least 2 poor attempts the clear the ball it landed to the Paisley player who fired in a good shot past Baxter.

This provided a shot on the arm that Tans needed and after a few more attacks They should have taken the lead when great work by Robertson and Campbell resulted in Robertson squaring the ball to Watson who only needed to pass it into the net. But amazingly he totally missed the ball and couldnt get the follow-up.

Half-time 1-1.

At the start of the second half Tans took the lead straight from Kick-off. Robertson to Willie Fraser who made a great long pass to Matthews who brought it down superbly. A good first time low pass across the goal found Ian Fraser who shot against the post. Watson, making up for his miss followed up to bundle it into the net. With the midfield getting a grip of the game it wasn't long before number 3 arrived. A corner by Dunbar was flicked on by Robertson with Young following up to slam it into the net.

A tactical change followed, with Ferguson coming on at centre half beside Waters and Dunbar moving up to midfield with Robertson moving up front. This provided a genuine threat to Paisley with Watson making way. A great move involving Young, Robertson and Campbell should have brought number 4, but Robertson slammed wide from 12 yards when it looked easier to score.

Straight away from a weak Paisley free-kick they pulled a goal back with the Paisley player stabbing home after very poor marking by Tans. Once again a great response by Tans resulted in Fraser being put clear by Robertson only for the Paisley keeper to pull of a great save. An even better save was to follow when a goal bound Robertson header from a Willie Fraser cross was flicked over the bar. Another followed when Dunbar raced through from a Robertson pass to be foiled by the Paisley keeper. Willie Fraser then pulled of a great tackle in the box to save a goal scoring opportunity.

Young and Dunbar were now dominating midfield with Campbell and Matthews providing a constant threat down the lines and once again good work by the middle pair resulted in a fine pass to Robertson whose shot on the volley was parried to the feet of Montgomery, on for Ian Fraser, who fired over. Then, a good ball by Montgomery released Patterson who raced through the middle. A fine tackle by the Paisley player resulted in the ball breaking to Dunbar who slotted just past the post.

With the game almost up Tans got a fourth. McMenamay played a free-kick down the line to Robertson who in turn sent a pass to Young at the edge of the box. He cushioned a lovely pass to Montgomery who finished well to the keeper's left-hand side.

An overall good result but a few defensive errors and a bucket load of missed chances stopped Tans from inflicting a heavy defeat. With two players missing and two players unfortunately not getting on this must keep everyone on their toes to keep the Jersey or take the chance when they get it.


Tannahill 'A'
Baxter, W. Fraser, Dunbar, Waters, Wm McMenamay. Matthews (Patterson), Robertson, Young, Campbell, I. Fraser (Montgomery), Watson (Ferguson).

Subs not used. Wood, Walter McMenamay.

Scorers. Campbell, Watson, Young, Montgomery.