With the Tinkerman off sunning himself in the South of France and ‘The Special One’ JP Jamieson left in charge for the day Cabrera faced up to their fierce rivals Silverknowes Vale in this Logan Cup tie, still hurting from narrowly missing out on promotion to them by a point at the end of last season.
Forced changes to the team saw Mitchell and Manson return, replacing Robertson and Dodds, the latter enjoying a birthday game of virtual golf and saving his fancy footwork for the dance floor of Why Not later on in the evening. Club captain Ross Allan returned to the starting 11 after injury to replace the suspended Duke and as The Special One continued the Tinkerman’s rotation system of the attack the final change saw Falconer return to the starting line up in place of McLean . Speaking of this change after the game The Special One was quoted “If I have an Aston Martin and a Bentley in the garage and I drive the Aston Martin all the time everyday… well then that is just foolish”
Cabrera’s form has been mixed so far this season but so far results have been good enough to see them to the top of the league, emphasis going into this tie was on the need to up the effort and work rate given that Vale have been enjoying relative success in their new division. While the surface Jack Kane is not always the most suitable for a free-flowing game of football, with the strong winds blowing the team were charged with working hard and keeping the ball down and moving it around at pace to really take the game to their opponents.
With the benefit of this wind in the first half though the Cabrera players all to often opted for the long ball playing right into the hands of the Vale defence who had a clear height advantage over Falconer and Valente. The one thing this did force however was a number of corners as their defence played it safe clearing their lines wherever possible.
With Falconer’s crossing looking dangerous as he continually whipped them right on top of the Vale keeper, the deadlock was eventually broken on twenty minutes and it came direct from such a set-piece. Falconer zinged in a pacy in-swinger from the left wing and the stand-in ale keeper was helpless as it flew past both him and his defence into the net.
While the quality of football was not as desired, the Cabrera work-rate in this half was unquestionable, and again the midfield trio, for this game Thomson, Greenan and Weddell, worked tirelessly, pressing Vale whenever they had the ball and generally dictating the pace of the game. Ross Allan back in the heart of the defence marshalled his team well and Vale never really threatened in this first 45 as they struggled to play against the strong wind.
Half Time: Silverknowes Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 1
The second half would be a much different proposition as Cabrera now had the added difficulty of playing into the wind against a Vale side keen to fight their way back into this tie.
They quickly made their intentions know knocking balls over the top of the Cabrera defence and causing the rearguard to turn on their heels in a bid to defend this direct play. Recent signing Hammy in goals continued his good form making a couple of fine saves early on, one particular impressive save from a close range one-on-one effort.
The equaliser did eventually arrive and again it was from a set-piece as the wind tormented the Cabrera defence this time round. A corner from the left side again was whipped in and the Vale player rose unmarked to knock home a tidy header past the helpless Hammy who, like the Cabrera sideline, will feel his defence should have done more to thwart this attack.
To be fair this seemed to give the Cabrera players the fright they needed and sparked them to a more urgent approach to the game. As the battle raged on the Vale players began flying into challenges with both Weddell and the team medi-kit coming out on the wrong side of a couple of rather vicious attacks.
Cabrera continued to make chances and with May and Manson looking dangerous on the flanks they began to use the space out on the wings to really test the Vale full-backs on the turn.
The dividends of all this hard-work were eventually reaped when Greenan, attacking a May corner, headed home at the back post to record his third in three competitive games so far this season, a great return from the attacking midfielder so far.
With the game poised delicately at two-one The Special One made changes to close out the game and secure the team’s progression to the next round. The self-proclaimed ‘Cabrera Two’ McGhie and Wood were entered into the play under strict instructions to knuckle down and avoid any of their usual show-boating. Rumour has it that Jamieson was keen to test Wood’s match sharpness after a long lay-off due to injury, however more likely he was just keen to get the pair on the pitch to save them from nipping his head any further on the sidelines.
Dave Lee also made a brief foray onto the pitch but as the referee blew his whistle, on what seemed a very short second 45 he was unable to make much impact on the game.
All in a good stubborn performance from the team and pass marks all round for the lads that made the team. Hopefully the quality that is evident throughout the current squad will allow Cabrera to compete on all fronts this season and a long overdue cup run may well be on the cards.
Barca Milton
Full Time: Silverknowes Vale 1 – Cabrera Ath 2
Man of the Match – Scott Thomson, although the captains armband was handed back to Rossco for the day, Scott was still very much a driving force in the midfield and will be more than happy with an excellent committed performance in the holding midfield role.
Cabrera Team: Hammy, Mitchell, Campbell, Thomson, Greenan, Weddell, Manson, May, Allan, Valente, Falconer.
Subs: Simpson, McGhie, Lee, McLean, Wood.
Lee's goal came from another danerous and well struck corner from gogs not danny!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOooooh cannae have my fellae no gettin the credit....where did I put my straw?
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