Wednesday 12 August 2009
Linlithgow Rose v West Calder United
League Cup Group Section Match

On a near perfect Prestonfield pitch on a pleasant summer’s evening Rose lined up for their second qualifying group match with 6 changes from the side which started against Pumpherston at the weekend. In fact the whole of the midfield was replaced with Smith, McLellan, McDowall, Manson and Parkin in for MacEwan, Hogg, Bradley, Tyrell and McDermott. In the event Parkin began in a slightly less advanced roll than McDermott had occupied on Saturday although getting forward to good effect when he could. The other change was Pinkowski taking over from Coyle who having started twice for the Rose has not yet been called upon to make a real save. Rose continued with three central defenders, Wilson, Ward and Donnelly. The now familiar partnership of Herd and Coyne filled the strikers’ positions.

The fans trouped in mostly looking rather glum having just witnessed at least half of yet another Scottish national team debacle this time against Norway and grumbling that our World Cup campaign is now over, as if it had ever really started.

Rose began where they had passed off passing the ball accurately and with some purpose. The build up was patient and measured and soon had West Calder under pressure. A few early chances went astray but midway through the first half Tommy Coyne chased a long ball down the right touchline turned the full back and squared inside to Gordon Herd whose miss-hit shot spun off to a West Calder defender. McLellan raced in and managed to block the defender’s clearance and in doing so succeeded in directing the ball into the net to put the Rose a goal up. The Rose were now attacking with some confidence which came from a solid looking defence with Danny Smith occupying the role he will undoubtedly fill this season as anchor in midfield protecting his back line.

A second goal followed shortly when Herd delicately flicked a ball crossed to him to Coyne who calmly brought it down and finished from 12 yards.

Half time; Rose 2 West Calder United 0

Although Rose were plainly the better side West Calder began the second half maintaining their own passing game which made for an entertaining fixture. However Rose’s own passing was stepped up a gear and a superb run by Manson and passing move involving a number of home players saw the youngster play a one two with Herd and left him free in the penalty box to pass the ball into the right hand corner for the third and best goal of the evening. Although the game was now over as a contest West Calder to their credit continued to make good use of the superb playing surface and produced some decent attacking moves. However Rose’s attacking qualities again eventually prevailed when Gordon Herd got on the score sheet latching on to Coyne’s head flick, rounding the keeper and finding the empty net.

The referee made a howler when he booked Ward mistakenly instead of Wilson for a clumsy tackle. Scooby seemed more amused by the incident than Wardy! I wonder who’ll pay the fine.

In the second half Rose used three substitutions with McEwan, Livingstone and Tyrell replacing Parkin, McDowall and Manson all of whom received well merited applause for their efforts. The changes did not upset Rose’s playing pattern and the side kept their shape and passing movements until the final whistle. The new signings, most of whom were on display last evening, all seem to fit in well.

This was another good performance from the Gallant and please Mr Baikie can we have more of the same, particularly this passing style which we supporters, and indeed the players, have been crying out for at Prestonfield for some time? Rose supporters are sometimes not the most forgiving but if the ball is kept on the floor and played through the midfield the customers will appreciate it. There is indeed hope for the season ahead.

Scotland’s defeat was by now all but forgotten and nobody was rushing back to see the highlights for there were none.

Rose - Pinkowski, Wilson, Parkin(McEwan 65), Donnelly, Ward, Smith, McLennan, McDowall(Tyrell 74), Herd, Coyne, Manson(Livingstone 81) .
Subs - McDermott, Hogg, McArthur, Coyle.