With both team’s riding high in their respective leagues this tie looked to be a tasty encounter and would be a great gauge of the standard the Cabrera boys should expect to reach going into next season if they do indeed win promotion.
The Tinkerman opted again for the favoured 3-5-2, Colin Campbell and John McLean Snr picking up starts and both looking to prove a point. Unfortunately an early hamstring injury for McLean Snr meant his outing was cut short but he will hope to be back to fitness for the return leg at Peffermill this Saturday.
The game itself was to be a hard fought contest with both teams keen to get the ball down and play passing football throughout. The opening exchanges tested both keepers and they were more than up to the challenge, an early indication that goals would be at a premium in this cagey affair.
The opening goal did however come on the half hour mark and it was to be a set piece that finally proved the undoing of the staunch Tynecastle defence. Gogs Falconer had looked dangerous with several well struck free-kicks and corners early on and when his in-swinger from the left hand-side found Gaz Morrison at the back post , the centre midfielder powered home a great header from a tight angle. Credit also to John-Paul Jamieson who had pulled away the markers with his well timed foray into the box.
Cabrera Ath 1 – Tynecastle Star 0
The rest of the half continued as it had opened with very few clear-cut chance created as battle rage on in the midfield with Cabrera’s combative trio of Morrison, Falconer and Steven McArthur keeping tabs on a very tidy looking Tynecastle engine-room. When the ref’s whistle did go Cabrera could be more than happy with their first half display taking their single goal lead into the break
Half Time: Cabrera Ath 1 – Tynecastle Star 0
Given his sides capitulation in the second 45 only four days previously the Tinkerman would obviously be keen to ensure his team-talk kept the sides focus on the task in hand and his words seemed to do the trick as Cabrera seemed to step up a gear from the restart.
In fact they seemed to be getting stronger by the minute and only a stroke of misfortune allowed Tynecastle back into the game. Cabrera keeper Crook will be disappointed but one moment of error in an otherwise flawless display should not leave him disheartened. A freekick from the Tynecastle flank was whizzed into the box and the pace and curl on this made it a troublesome one for both the keeper and his defence to judge. As the ball hit the net I’m sure the Cabrera side-line hoped that the heads would not drop as there was still a long way to go in this cup-tie.
Cabrera Ath 1 – Tynecastle Star 1
Tynecastle seemed to take heart from this lifeline and changed to a more attacking set-up putting an extra man forward in an attempt to pressure the Cabrera back three. Capitano Ross Allan, again solid at the back, however kept his team-mates in check and his constant talking throughout this period of Tynecastle pressure surely helped keep the score at the stalemate.
With the game drawing to a close and both team seemingly settling for the draw there was however to be one final moment of drama in the dying seconds. Cabrera were awarded a free-kick on the right flank and Gogs Falconer stepped up with the Cabrera attack lining up for a cross into the box and a final attempt on the Tynecastle goal. His free-kick though, rather than a cross, was to be a precise and pacy curler into the oppositions goal, one that even the great Shunsuke would have been proud of. It sent the Cabrera sideline into raptures and sets up a great second leg that everyone will be well aware will be more of the same against a strong Tynecastle side.
Full time: Cabrera Ath 2 – Tynecastle Star 1
Man of the Match – Gogs Falconer. A goal and an assist in a very productive day for the player who’s workrate was second to none.
ba ba ba bird bird bird
ReplyDeletebirdz the word wella bird birds the word.........
big yip yap tam was played outta position..would hav been a different story had i been played in midfield..no compitition for a ball winner for both teams.consistantly out jumped all the cabrerra players.moun the tynie star. much love tam.
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