Tanahill 'A' climbed to the top of the P&D 2nd Division today after a 2-1 victory over Harvies, but the manner of the achievement was far less exciting. With Harvies seemingly struggling this term and Tans scoring for fun, you could have been forgiven for thinking this could be another Tannahill goal fest. Unfortunately this was not to be the case and for a large part of the first and second halves, Tans were second best.

Tannahill started very brightly however and controlled the centre of the park with neat play from Willie Hamilton and John McGrath in particular. The Tans front line was having some difficulty though as Harvies well regimented back four pushed out at every opportunity leaving their opponents in offside positions.

Harvies took the lead against the run of play after twelve minutes when a shot from the edge of the box was deflected out of the reach of Peter Young and trundled in to his left hand corner. Tannahill responded well to this set back and came close two minutes later as Ian Fraser sprung the offside trap and rounded the keeper only to be thwarted by a superb last ditch tackle. From the resultant corner Lee McMenamy blasted over when he might have done better.

After 25 minutes, Tans were level. McGrath showed great composure before weighting a perfect pass through to Willie Fraser who had timed his run well from left midfield. Fraser held his nerve and lashed his shot low into the net from 16 yards. Fraser's joy was short lived as he hobbled off soon after with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Gordon Kelso.

Harvies had the better of the remainder of the half, but the closest they came was a scramble inside the six yard box which was cleared. Tannahill's only effort of note in that time was a shot fired in by McGrath which was well held by the keeper.

HALF TIME 1-1

Tannahill started the second half with much more purpose and had a great chance to take the lead inside the first minute. Great play from Walter McMenamay released Lee McMenamay, but the young striker could only fire his shot off the advancing keeper. He made amends just five minutes later when he picked up the ball on the left and headed straight into the box only to be chopped down for a stonewall penalty. McMenamay saw his spot kick well saved by the Harvies keeper, but reacted quickest to fire the rebound low in to the net to put Tans ahead.

15 minutes into the second half Kelso burst into the box but was denied by another terrific saving tackle as he was about to pull the trigger. Meanwhile at the other end, Peter Young did brilliantly to dive full length to tip an effort round the post.

Martin Montgomery replaced Willie Hamilton midway through the half and was involved straight away, combining with McGrath to send Kelso down the right. He fired in an inviting cross which Lee McMenamay just failed to capitalise on.

From then on Harvies had most of the ball but couldn't find an equaliser. The Tans defence held on and Peter Young was called on again diving to clutch the ball at his right hand side.

Not vintage Tannahill, but no complaints about the 3 points.

Tannahill (4-4-2)
P Young, N Fraser, Willie McMenamay, G Young, McNellis, Hamilton
(M Montgomery), Walter McMenamay, McGrath (J Montgomery)
W Fraser (Kelso), I Fraser, L McMenamay


For photos of the match click here