• Home
• » Reports » F.P’s lose out to Ashvale Vics in play-off

F.P’s lose out to Ashvale Vics in play-off

Wishaw High School F.P’s faced CSAFL Division 1A winners Ashvale Vics to see who went up to the Premier as overall Division 1 Winners at Colville Park last Thursday. In a match which in truth probably meant more to Ashvale Vics with it being their final match of the 2010/2011 season as oppose to The F.P’s because of the upcoming Scottish Cup Final this Saturday 28 the May, F.P’s manager Gary Hailstones was more concerned about none of his squad receiving any injuries which would spoil his plans for the Final at Livingston and from the F.P’s point of view it took on a rather low key approach from what would normally be required and demanded off by Hailstones. Ashvale were made to work hard for their victory however and in the opening exchanges there was nothing between the 2 sides. On 4 minutes, F.P’s captain Stephen Mackie found himself through on goal however the match official deemed that the striker had used his hand to control the ball as he pulled it out of the air before shaping to shoot. Gary Miller had a cracking drive on 16 minutes which at the very least would have tested Ashvale keeper Graham Wallace who looked relieved as the stinging effort was deflected from it’s intended target by his team-mate, F.P’s JP Kerr, who couldn’t get out the road of it. 2 minutes later and The F.P’s Stevie Murdoch done his job superbly when he stayed on the post as The F.P’s defended a corner and a goal bound header from Ashvale’s Joe Rae was headed of the goal line by Murdoch before being cleared to safety. On the half hour mark, the same player eventually found the net and opened the scoring in the match to put Ashvale 1-0 after an in swinging corner wasn’t cleared properly and Rae smashed an unstoppable volley home from 8 yards out. Play swung from end to end after this with The F.P’s Brett Ansell having a blistering ½ volley from the edge of the Ashvale penalty box superbly turned round the post by Marshall for a corner right on the stroke of half time.

The 2nd half was again a fairly even affair with both sides squandering some decent chances. The F.P’s felt they should have been awarded 2 penalties, one in particular, which to all in attendance looked as clear cut a decision as you will ever see and despite there being 2 linesman in attendance on the night for this match, Ashvale defender Colin Hamilton’s blatant pull on F.P’s substitute Kevin Burnside went unnoticed. Burnside himself should have levelled with 10 minutes remaining when he should have done better with a well delivered ball across The Ashvale six yard box and his effort flashed wide of the far post. Ashvale’s Bryan Muir made sure of victory in the 92nd minute when he swept the ball from close range after good wing play left him with only Paul O’Hara to beat in goals for The F.P’s.

F.P’s coach John Inglis stated after the match. “Fair play to Ashvale and we would like to congratulate them on promotion to The Premier Division along with ourselves from Division 1B. It’s fair to say that no matter what we have said to the players in the past week or so regarding not taking their eye of the ball, It has been difficult with all the talk around the club and in the Press about THE FINAL and Saturday’s match will arguably be the biggest match some if not all of these players with the exception of JP Kerr who has already played in 2 Cup Finals with Eddlewood AFC will ever be involved in. We can now focus on the Final 100% with no other distractions of league games or play offs. This week we will train twice and work on a few things for the Final and try and give the players as much encouragement and belief that we can and hopefully they can pull out a performance and result. Drumchapel Utd have 2 games this midweek which just might tell on their legs come Saturday but I doubt it as they have a large squad with quality not just in whatever starting 11 they put out but also on their bench as well. We know how difficult it will be but I know we’ll give it all we’ve got on the day.“

The Final takes place at The Braidwood Motor Company stadium previously known as Almondvale Stadium, which is the home of Livingston FC with a 3pm kick off. The players and Committee of Wishaw High School F.P’s would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their support and good wishes over this season and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Livingston this Saturday.

Line Up: O’Hara, Montgomery, Napier, Jamieson, S Murdoch, Ansell, McLaughlan, Kerr (Burnside), Miller (Patrick), Wilson (McCluskey), Mackie.