GK1Chris Fahey   
 RB2Robbie Duncan   
 LB3Richard KirwanScorer  
 CB4Michael OliverScorer  
 CB5Andy Ward (c)   
 CM6Jamie Broadfoot   
 CM7Jamie Barclay   
 CM8Jonathan Black   
Off80CF9Andy SelkirkScorerYellow Card 
Off45SS10Andy Hunter   
 SS11Stephen O'NeillScorerYellow Card 
On45 12Michael Morris   
  13Kenny Giles   
  14Blair Munn   
On80 15Jeff Fergus   
  16Fraser Sheridan   
  17Ryan Milne (u20)   
  18   
 

03/05/2016  |  League

Whitehill Welfare   2  v  4  Cumbernauld Colts

In Colts final Lowland League fixture of their debut season it was a case of coming full circle, Whitehill Welfare the Broadwood sides last opponent of the league season just as they were the first way back in August. Lots have changed at both clubs since then, with Colts going into the game knowing that a win would guarantee them fourth spot in the table, see them break the 50 point barrier (51, which would have been enough for second in 2014/15) and see them register the highest points return of any new club in their first season.

So, plenty still to play for in what has been a massively encouraging introduction to senior football for the Cumbernauld Club.

The Colts, one change as Duncan came in for the suspended Ramsay, certainly started like the team with more to play for with O'Neill on the left causing early concern for the home right back, ghosting past him 3 times in the space of as many minutes. It led to an early change in shape for the home side as they looked to combat the threat and Colts were certainly looking threatening.

So it was no surprise when the men in black fashioned the first chances of the game, O'Neill latching onto a Black through ball and firing narrowly over from 18 yards under pressure from the home centre back. Hunter then had an effort blocked away for a corner which Ward nearly got on the end of, the first sign of the ongoing threat from set plays, before the Colts should have taken the lead.

A corner on the Colts left saw Broadfoot play short to O'Neill. O'Neill then used Broadfoot as a decoy, stepping inside and delivering a wonderful in-swinging cross from the left, Selkirk completely unmarked 8 yards out but only able to guide the ball narrowly wide with the keeper helpless, a let off for sure for the home side.

And another was quick to follow, Broadfoot picking up in midfield and playing into O'Neill inside left, the attacker taking a wonderful touch to kill the ball before driving towards the bottom corner, the keeper turning wide for another corner at full stretch. From the corner Broadfoot picked out Ward at the back post, the Colts skipper just unable to get over the ball.

Hunter then had a close range header saved by the keeper before the home side scrambled off the line from another headed effort as Colts passed the half hour mark unable to capitalise on what was an impressive performance.

Unfortunately though not taking those chances invited the home side into the game and for ten minutes or so they got themselves in the ascendancy, Colts playing their part with some slackness in possession, but the home side certainly looking a different prospect in that period of the game.

Fahey in the Colts goal, who had been a spectator to that point, had to come and make a superb punch under pressure before making an equally impressive point blank save when left one v one from a through ball, making himself big to keep the scores level.

And the stopper was at it again, making two more saves as Whitehill threatened from set plays, the second a wonderful effort to turn the ball round the post low to his left.

Unfortunately for the stopper though he could do nothing as the home side took the lead as Colts gave away a cheap free kick on the hosts left. The in-swinging ball was dangerous, played into a great area and Ward, knowing he had to deal with it or see the striker tap home behind him, couldn't quite get enough on it to head wide, putting through his own goal on the stretch.

And it got worse for the visitors 5 minutes later as they failed to win the first long ball forward and then conspired to pass up at least three chances to clear on their right before the home winger skipped inside to fire a fine shot at goal, again well saved by Fahey. This time though the ball landed at the feet of Manson inside the box, Kirwan unable to make up the ground to stop the Welfare wide man rattling into the net with Fahey helpless.

2-0 to Welfare and Colts with an uphill struggle to secure fourth spot, but recent history of a battling team sprit as they battled back from three down to grab a point in their last game at Vale of Leithen.

As the game headed towards half time the visitors had a decent penalty claim, O'Neill delivering from the right towards the well timed run of Black at the back post, the Colts midfielder helped under the ball by a well-timed nudge from the fullback. Risky, but ultimately clever defending from the Whitehill number 2 who'd had a frustrating night up against O'Neill thus far.

More controversy was forthcoming as another Broadfoot corner from the left found the head of Ward who powered towards goal, beating the keeper. As the Colts players looked to celebrate the home defender cleared, the visiting attack adamant that the ball had crossed and was cleared from behind the line by the home side smuggling out for another corner.

With the clock reading 44 minutes it was a fine time for the Broadwood men to get themselves back into the game and that's exactly what they did, turning their grievance at the previous decision into a goal as Broadfoot delivered another excellent ball and Oliver rose highest to power his header into the net from close range to give his side a lifeline.

Half time and the home side led by two goals to one, Colts being made to pay for some profligacy in front of goal in the early stages of the game when they were well on top, defensive lapses seeing them go two behind with only keeper Fahey to thank for limiting that damage.

Into the second half and a change, Munn replacing the injured Hunter in midfield, Black moving forward onto the right. And it was a change that seemed to benefit the visitors, Black's energy, pressing and driving runs occupying the home fullback with Munn doing a fine job sharing the role of sweeping in front of his centre halves with Broadfoot and picking up plenty of the ball. As a consequence Broadfoot was allowed to play slightly further forward as well.

Barclay and Black had decent efforts well saved before Colts had an early route back into the game from the penalty spot, Ward coming round the back post to connect with a Broadfoot delivery being pulled back then fouled in the act of shooting. Despite the protestations of the home fans, it's certainly one of those that you've seen given.

Broadfoot stepped up to take, his low penalty to the keepers right saved by the home stopper, Colts seemingly intent on making life hard for themselves!

They reacted quickly though and within 5 minutes were level with a wonderful team goal. Munn was found by Kirwan who carried his run forward on the left, Munn playing a quick one-two with O'Neill before turning into Selkirk who played a lovely ball round the corner into the run Kirwan started earlier, the fullback never going to be caught such is his pace but he still had plenty to do, opening his body superbly and curling low into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

A fine display of passing and movement, the main strength of this Colts side and a fine finish at the end. On the night, when the visitors got the ball down and passed it, they certainly caused the home side all sorts of problems.

Within minutes their passing and movement had them ahead, O'Neill floating in from the left to leave space for Barclay who was found in the channel by a good pass. It looked as though the defender would get in, but Barclay nut-megged him before playing an excellent defence splitting pass into the run of O'Neill that created the space, Colts top scorer making no mistake as he fired home with his right from 18 yards, the keeper getting a hand to it but unable to keep it out.

Half an hour remaining and Colts back in the driving seat.

The away side continued to press but Whitehill had a few decent chances, Fahey again making two smart saves, the second in particular showing great reflexes to adjust to a ball nearly flicked beyond him. But the Colts defence looked far more stubborn second half.

One more moment of controversy in the game as a loose ball in midfield saw Selkirk make a poorly timed challenge on the home midfielder. Initially the match official waved play on, much to the disbelief of everyone, eventually pulling the game back and issuing a yellow to the Colts forward.

The home side were obviously frustrated and understandably so, another colour of card could (and probably should) easily have been issued. Selkirk, who anyone who has seen him play will know is in no way that kind of player and made his apology as the injured player, Callum Connolly, was carried off. Everyone at Colts wishing Callum a speedy recovery.

As the clock ticked on towards the final fifteen minutes the Colts made the game safe with another fine goal, good football through midfield involving Munn and Broadfoot finding Barclay who released O'Neill on the left. O'Neill, covered by two men, showed a bit of individual brilliance as he dipped between both and picked out Selkirk at the back post unmarked, the striker heading home to make it 2-4 Colts.

O'Neill, impressive on the night picked up a soft booking before Selkirk was replaced by youngster Fergus for the last ten minutes as the visitors looked to see out the game. The youngster though had other ideas and when Black won the ball in midfield and drove forward Fergus made a fine run through the middle, Black sliding him in. The youngster tried to pick out O'Neill at the back when going alone may have been a better option, but fine enthusiasm and vision from the Colts player to get himself into that position.

After 5 minutes of stoppage time, with fading light the man in the middle blew for full time, the Colts second half resurgence doubly important as East Kilbride, their challengers for fourth spot, scored three late goal (the winner in the 93rd minute) to see of Threave 4-3. With the Colts winning though that result couldn't impact them and they finish fourth in their first season on 51 points, a fantastic achievement for everyone involved with the club and the players deserving of huge credit for their efforts as a group.

And now they have a semi-final to look forward to on Saturday at K-Park, East Kilbride their opponents. It should be an interesting game, these sides unable to separate themselves through the course of the regular season, both league games ending in 1-1 draws and only two points separating them in the Lowland League table. The prize, a trip to Gala to face Spartans or Gretna in the league cup final.