Sterry steals the show

0 - 0 • Last updated 16 Apr 2009 16:01

Lomond School 6 Lomond FP's 3

A DAVID Sterry hat-trick helped the Lomond team to victory in the first ever former pupils" football match.

It was the school side"s first proper match of the season - one which had been eagerly anticipated all week.

And they were to be sternly tested by the FP"s, assembled by Calum Sweeney and Aidan Fraser.

The game started well, with Lomond attacking the opposition with some purpose and showing some flair, especially down the left flank through David Sterry and Fraser McClelland.

But they were reduced to shots from long range, many of which were off target.

The breakthrough did eventually come, midway through the first half, when an opposition corner was intercepted by Iain Jardine.

He showed good vision to play an accurate pass out of defence to Tim Kelbie and then on to David Sterry who scored his first of the afternoon.

It was an excellent breakaway goal by Lomond, who had been the dominant team so far.

However, the FP"s came back strongly to score through a composed finish by Andrew Caldwell, who was under real pressure at the time.

A poor defensive clearance by the home side landed at his feet and with defenders closing in he coolly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

Even at the break, the second half started less brightly for Lomond as the FP"s slowly grew in confidence.

However, it was the combination of some Ronaldo-esque diving by Matthew Radcliffe and some timid refereeing which cost Lomond dear.

A soft free-kick was conceded wide on the left and was taken quickly by the FPs.

Jake Harkins, in goal for Lomond, came for the ball and was taken down by Andrew Calder on the edge of the box, but he was adjudged not to have been fouled by the referee, giving Calder an easy finish into an empty goal.

As defender Andrew Jenkins, started to emerge and dribble forward, Lomond were soon level.

His creativity was key and from a goalmouth scramble, David Sterry poked the ball in at the front post.

The FP"s were again in front through Caldwell"s second, but it was now Lomond"s superior fitness became obvious.

Adam Hart equalised with a well-timed run and close finish and Sterry then completed his remarkable hat-trick from left-back with a well-taken goal.

David "Crouchy" Tyler made it 5-3 to Lomond, and quickly added another.

He could have also had a hat-trick were it not for a glaring miss deep into the second half after some excellent inter-play by Chris Grundy and Fraser McClelland.

Overall, this was a good performance by the team, especially since most had not played together and some had never played in a competitive match before.

For the FP"s it was a new departure in a match which complemented a weekend of sport for "Old Boys and Girls" of the Stafford Street School.

It is to be hoped this fixture can become an annual event like the rugby and hockey matches.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 16 Apr 09

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