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Wick Groats v John O'Groats (21-04-09)

After a friendly against Hotspurs and an interrupted Wick League it was time for the first game of the County 1^st Division, tonight's opponents were one of the surprise teams of the 08 season JOG. Having played well against them last year with little or no reward Groats felt it about time to get 3 points as well as a decent performance.

With nearly a full squad to choose from the team selection was a bit of a head-ache for Stewart. However, regardless of tonight's first 11 it is clear that the whole squad will be needed; and the mix of youth and experience should hopefully see Groats have a successful campaign.

The game started pretty scrappy, with Groats attempting to have some efforts on goal, but a mixture of miss placed passes and a lack of composure on the final ball saw numerous good positions wasted. However, it was the home side who had the better of the early going with Beezer and Greg attempting to support at every opportunity. The turning point in the game came when midfield battler Gary suffered a kick to the head from a clumsy challenge and had to go to hospital for stitches. Bones came on up front and Kyle dropped back into midfield. This seemed to kick start the home side, and Kyle in particular took control of the game breaking up attacks and starting the best of Groats moves.

1^st Goal - The first goal had more than a bit of luck involved. Firstly Jimmy was adjudged to have been pushed when challenging for a header in-front of the goals. Kyle stepped up to take the penalty and just about managed to squeeze the ball under Sean.

2^nd Goal - The second goal came about 5 minutes after, with some good work down the right by Greg resulting in a cut back which Jimmy and Bones were waiting to finish, Bones duly obliged by bundling the ball into an open net. Groats getting the reward for their possession, taking a comfortable lead into half time.

Half Time - Wick Groats 2 - JOG 0

With the home side in control and JOG trying hard to get back into the game the inevitable happened, Groats sat back and relaxed too much letting the away team back into the game; with Grant Budge causing the home defense a problem or two. JOG came close to getting back into the game, but luckily for the home side they dragged their effort wide. This again seemed to kick Groats into action; and they were unlucky on two occasions to have goals chopped off. Both goals scored by Bones, the first was a supposed push and the second apparently off side.

Groats needed a third as a goal for JOG would give them confidence and may begin a fight back. Thankfully the third did come and from the danger man Bones.

3^rd Goal - The ball was tossed back into the area following a set piece, and just as it looked like Bones may have been struggling to control the ball and keep the attack going he somehow surprised everyone with an acrobatic sweeping volley with the inside of his right foot expertly guiding the ball over his shoulder and into the top left corner. Without a doubt the goal of the game.

The third came as a final nail in the coffin to JOG who were well beaten on the night and the score line could have and probably should have been a lot more comfortable.

Full Time -Wick Groats 3 - JOG 0