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Match Reports
Dundee West 6 - 0 Celtic Boys
J Clenaghan League
9th Nov08
THE SUN (Our God) has unfortunately been made redundant. Promoted to Head Weather God is the uncompromising WEST WIND who decided Sunday would be a good time to announce his arrival.
The lads had been told to keep the ball low, however the state of the rolling Balfield pitch probably made this a hindrance. But we stick to the football plan and take control of the game from the outset. Ben hits a corner and its returned right back to him. He controls, looks up and cuts back. Liam hits first time and slams the ball high into the net to get the lads off the mark. A few minutes later Ryan, out on the right, skins a player or two or three hits the by-line and fires in a dangerous ball flashing across the six yard box. The Celtic defence turn the ball in for an OG with a pack of west players coming in behind them. The game got a bit frustrating at that point with another hat full of chances getting passed up. Although The West remained in control, Celtic worked really hard to keep themselves in the game, but the rear guard marshalled by the excellent THOMO, never looked in serious trouble.
The second half started and I'm no liking how cold it is.
AH! but what is that protruding from the kit bag. Is that not a one man flask of coffee I see. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM that was good!
The second half is much the same, we try to play the ball but the pitch and weather is just getting in the way. We keep drilling the lads at training to use their weaker feet, especially on goal. Don't think about it, just do it, you'll be surprised the results you get. From way outside the box Ben buries his left foot into the ball and smashes the ball past the rooted keeper. The West keep the pressure on and the ball is knocked on to Daine, who is outnumbered, but the Celtic defence get mixed up and Daine, sharp, takes advantage, steals the ball and heads off en-route and casually rounding the goalie and slotting home. While The West keep on the attack we were bound to leave gaps for Celtic to get forward, but the back line were superbly disciplined and with Lachlan commanding his area we never looked like conceding. Somebody hits a long range effort and I'm really sorry but I don't have a clue who it was. I'm sure somebody will remind me on Tuesday. Any way, the keeper makes a good save, but it bounces off Robbie and ends up in the net. A few minutes left and Ryan sets off on his 92nd mazy of the game and from outside the box, hits a beautiful swerving, dipping shot past the helpless keeper.
Man of the Match
The wee man was on fire today. Ryan Grant
The Goals
Liam Sinclair 1
OG 1
Ben Smith 1
Daine Carroll 1
Robbie Low 1
Ryan Grant 1
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Dundee West 7 - 0 Brechin
J Clenaghan League
2nd Nov 08
Nice day for a game of football, mild and sunny, not too bad for this time of the year. Pity it wasn't like this in the summer.
The West Start off brightly and take control early on. First goal came pretty early on, for us for a change, a bit of a goal mouth scramble and Brechin clear the ball. Dan was on smart and the ball sat up perfectly for him and it was duly volleyed straight back in and buried into the back of the net. Screamer! The boys relax now and start putting some good moves together and the ball is threaded to Rhys. He manages to hold off the big defenders and slots it past the keeper.
Only 2 at half time and the lads are told not to let this team bite them and to stop wasting all the good chances.
With a bit of an ear bashing the boys get on with the second half and quickly get off the mark with Rhys getting his second. The West pile on the pressure and keep stringing the passes about when Daine finds himself on the end of a through ball, makes no mistake and nets number 4. Its all one way traffic now and Jake brings a ball down on the edge of the box and volleys for 5. More good work from the team and Jake gets on the end of a ball and somehow manages to squeeze it in at the back post. The game was finished as a contest a long time ago but there was still enough time for Jake to get his hat-trick. The ball was lofted in from the left, there was a couple of wild fresh air shots and a couple of attempts to clear but it bobbled about, eventfully it landed to Jake and a stabbed toe poke put it away.
Man of the match Lot of good performances today so for a solid display at the back. Owen Steele
The Goals
Dan Woods 1
Rhys Grant 2
Daine Carroll 1
Jake Davidson 3
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Dundee West 4 - 2 Forfar
J Clenaghan League
26th Oct 08
Conditions were well against playing any kind of decent football but we tried. Lost the bit of scrap paper I had my notes on, so for this match. That's all she wrote!
Man of the Match
Changed the game when he came on. Declan (Deky) Jackson
The Goals
Declan Jackson 1
Jake Davidson 1
Rhys Grant 1
Robbie Low 1
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Montrose Youth 3 - 5 Dundee West
J Clenaghan League
19th Oct 08
This is becoming a joke
Just before we leave the clubrooms, Colin is seen confidently giving out instructions on how to get to Montrose park. In previous reports I have been slightly critical on certain parents (most notably TRACEY) in their navigational skills. This week, however, took the biscuit.
Found the park with no problem, looked around and spotted all the usual suspects. "Braw, I'll get ma baits on" I'm thinking, when the mobile rings. Just as I'm going for the phone I realise Colin's missing.
"Hello"
"Its Richie"
"Where are you"
"Stonehaven"
"Are you winding me up"
"No, my dads just turning"
Stunned, Flabbergasted, Shocked and somewhat Bewildered, all I could say was "ARE YOU WINDING ME UP!" again.
"Tracey - all is forgiven. At least you can get away with being a woman driver (controversial statement there.) So what, who cares? Not I.
So whilst Ronnie is swanning off in Glasgow, Colin's in and around Timbuktu, with 2 of the starting 11, I'm thinking... well I suppose you can imagine. So, with the Grand Master Plan going another route than the chosen one, all you can do is, Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.
NEH FITBAS (COLIN'S GOT THEM)
NEH CONES (COLIN'S GOT THEM)
BARELY ENOUGH PLAYERS (COLIN'S GOT THEM)
The SUN OUR GOD was on annual Leave but had miraculously had resurrected something that once resembled a football in a previous life and left it in a dark hole in the boot of my car. We chuck some coats on the ground and dream up some half baked plan to warm the lads up.
The Ref called the teams and the Lows were still a no show. The Lads assemble for The West huddle and the final marching orders are given out. Could tell you what I say but you don't give away the secret ingredients. Just as I'm finishing the mobile interrupts with the sounds of a bit of Guns n Roses. The boys look and smile, "Hear that lads, its time to rock n roll."
The game kicked off with a howling gale whipping down the pitch and The West had it in their faces for the first half. We start confidently and look the better side. Playing against the wind the boys kept the ball low, moved it well and didn't give Montrose time to settle. The inevitable happened though, and and Montrose score a wind assisted goal. I'm really hacked off. The boys don't let their heads go down and still looked the hungrier. After some great play, Daine is set clear and scores just to see it chopped off for offside. Bad decision! Gets worse when Montrose score a second. Now I'm extra hacked off. The lads are still playing well though and Lachlan makes a superb save to make sure they don't extend the lead anymore. Takes a big crack in the napper doing so off the goal post, gets up a bit dazed, wipes his gloves and gets on with it. Great stuff. The West still keep playing the ball around and get their reward after Jake gets set clear and fires past the oncoming keeper.
We go into half time only one goal behind and I'm still confident the boys will turn this score around.
Second half and the winds now at our backs, The West go hunting. More pressure forces a corner, Dan fires in a testing ball, the goalie fumbles and Jake volleys us back on level terms. Game on! The lads were desperate to overturn the disappointment of the home defeat and always looked like the side more likely to score. The West turned the screw a bit more and Richie from the edge off the box clips the ball over the keeper high into the top corner. (Just as well he eventually turned up.) The boys weren't done though, and turned the heat up a bit more when Dan smashed his free kick past the keeper. Still The West don't let up and, as often happens, sometimes the defensive duties switch off when when you attack so much and a lapse of concentration lets Montrose pull one back. Need to work on that! But the lads don't change the style and quickly restore the 2 goal lead when Robbie gets on the end of another good move to round off an excellent result for the lads.
Man of the match.
Always available, great support, made some brilliant runs. Excellent wing play. Daine Carroll
The Goals
Jake Davidson 2
Dan Wood 1
Richie Low 1
Robbie Low 1
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Dundee West 4 - 6 Fair City
Friendly
12th Oct 08
Good hard game to keep the boys on their toes. Played well but 6 goals shouldn't be happening. Still, we passed up enough chances to have made this result much different.
Non competitive and stats not relevant.
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Dundee West 10 - 1 Turnberry Thistle
Friendly
5th Oct 08
After a free week last week and the holidays we had to get a game for the lads. Also gives us the opportunity to try a few things out in match situations. Thanks to Simon (Daine's Dad) for refereeing. Even though there were a few howlers. One in particular. Probably said more than enough.
Non competitive and stats not relevant.
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Dundee West 5 - 1 Sidlaw Thistle
J Clenaghan League
21stSeptember 08
After the disappointment of the last game The West were in the mood to get that winning feeling back.
First half and The West take an early command of the game. Possession was good, and the boys knocked the ball around and rarely looked troubled. Chance after chance flowed The West's way and before the half time whistle went the boys had hit the back of the net 5 times, the bar 4 times and missed another half dozen chances. Sidlaw capitalizing once while the defence was switched off.
Sidlaw changed the shape for the second half, and The West shuffled the squad around. The West were to again dominate the play although Sidlaw weren’t there to make up the numbers and put in a much better performance in the second half and held The West at bay whilst making good chances for themselves.
The second half remained scoreless, but still a good display by the boys to wrap up the points.
Man of the Match Left on his own at centre half for the first time Thomas (Thomo) Doig and strolled through.
The Goals
Jake Davidson 2
Dan Wood 1
Rhys Grant 1
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Dundee United 4 - 1 Dundee West
Scottish Cup rd1
14th September 08
Had the old butterflies this morning and couldn’t wait for this one.
The lads looked up for it, if a tad nervous also. Nothing like The Scottish Cup to get the excitement flowing.
The West Start off strong and quickly get into the passing game. Wave after wave the West Looked like scoring every time the ball was in possession. However, down to some good defending, a goal keeper on form, and some woeful finishing - the latter being the most predominant - this game should have been done and dusted in the first half hour. Scoring goals however, at the end of the day, is how you win matches. Inevitably, not doing this was to bite us in the most sensitive of areas, when a rare move catches us on the break and United take the lead just before half time.
The second half started the same as the first and after more sustained pressure Daine has a go from an acute angle, the deflection takes it past the keeper to level it. Lucky break but after the play I think we deserved that one.
The second half was more of an even contest and United came more into the game. 3 goals were to be scored by United. What was frustrating was that they all came exactly the same way. Got to learn from the mistakes! In the end, it was a disappointing exit from the cup when it could, and should have been a no contest by half time.
Man of the Match Worked his socks of in the middle of the park Jake Davidson
The Goals
OG 1
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Dundee West 5 - 7 Montrose
J Clenaghan League
7th September 08
Lost the will to write about this one, devastated over this result and took the rest of the week to get over it.
Lost the game, lost the 100% record, lost the unbeaten at Ardler record, lost too many goals, lost the plot.
The West were on the whole the better of the two sides, in this enthralling encounter but in the end the physical presence of some of the Montrose lads, (big ? on ages there - I’m sure we all agree) proved in the end decisive.
Cant loose 7 goals and hope to get something out of it.
Man of the Match Scored 3 and could have had more Jake Davidson
The Goals
Jake Davidson 3
Robbie Christie 1
Liam Sinclair 1
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Celtic 4 – 9 Dundee West
J Clenaghan League
2nd September 08
Had one or two things on my mind for this game.
Kind of forgot to write stuff down.
WE were great and loads of lads scored.
Man of the match Back to his slippery self Bob Christie, ran amok all night
The Goals
Lachlan Wilson 1
Robbie Christie 2
Daine Carroll 3
Ryan Grant 1
Rhys Grant 2
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Dundee West 5 - 1 Carnoustie
J Clenaghan League
31st August 08
The West back, on the favoured pitch, look to add to the good start of the campaign. The West are in control from early on but again come up against an inspired goalie. You just got the feeling the old sucker punch was on its way, and as sure as Rangers getting 12 pages to themselves in the Daily Record, Carnoustie score against the run of play. Really sucks does that!
The West’s spirits are not down though, we knew we would create a lot of chances today. After some good play out on the right Liam swings in a ‘is it a shot? ,is it a cross?’ who knows - and who really cares! The Carnoustie rear guard fail to deal with it and it's level. The west are in full control now but don’t take the chances that come their way, however after some penetrating play Rhys hones in on goal and slots home. The West should have had 2 penalties in the first half. Jinky Jake gets halved but gets nothing and Rhys makes a better job of hitting the ground to make sure he gets his. Then proceeds to hit the slowest, moosy crawler I've seen in years. QUITE AN AMAZING SHOCKINGLY BAD PENALTY!!!!
Second half and the boys camp up in the Carnoustie half with the kettle on. The football, while not yet sweet, was now heading in the right direction. Some great play out on the left and the ball is fired in low and hard across the six yard box and Designer Daine slides in and stabs the ball home.
With the Game in its final stages Jinky in on goal and is side swiped again. This time the ref gives it. The penalty is duly converted.
Well Done Lads another 3 points
Man of the Match Solid at the back again Josiah JJ Herd
The Goals
Liam Sinclair 1
Rhys Grant 1
Daine Carroll 1
Jake Davidson 1
OG 1
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26th August 08
J Clenaghan League
Dundee Rovers 2 – 4 Dundee West
After securing our first points on Sunday, The West are upbeat for the start of the game.
As usual against the Rovers, it was not a pretty game. This was a brawl from start to finish. Luckily, the Ref had a good handle on the game.
Dundee West get off to a confident start but find no room to play football. Slowly the game improves and The West open the scoring. Smudge lifts the ball high into the area and Jinky presses their left back who knocks it into his own net. Back to the battle. Footballs not getting any nicer to watch but in a rare moment of tidy play, the midfield put some passes together and Ryan smashes a great shot from outside the area and past the goalie to make it two.
The West open the door for the Rovers though and a miss-timed tackle in the box and the Ref points to the spot. The Rovers make no mistake.
The West are winning the physical battle and are at least trying to play a bit now, Robbie heads off on a run and slides a ball in for Jinky to run on to. He holds off the defender and dispatches The Wests third. The Rovers were still a threat though and pull one back. Mike looks like he pulled down their striker for another penalty but the Ref plays the advantage and they knock the ball high into the empty net. The games a bit nervy now and every ball is being contested with some meaty challenges from both teams. With the game nearing the end we were looking for a bit of breathing space.
The West get a free kick and Smudge places the ball. He's just a few yards from me and I say to him,
“Dan, just put it in the back o the net.” It screams in over the diving keeper and its 4
All in all, a hard earned win. The lads looked hungry for the points and battled hard.
Good 3 points.
Man of the Match Involved in all the goals Jake Davidson
The Goals
OG 1
Ryan Grant 1
Jake Davidson 1
Dan Wood 1
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24tth Aug 08
J Clenaghan League
Dundee West 14 – 0 Kirrimuir
Our first venture into competitive football and we were determined to get off to a flyer.
From Thursday on the game was already off. After using up a favour with THE SUN GOD (OUR GOD) I thought I’d give him a break during the week on a rainy Thursday night. By Friday night I was a bit down at the thought of a delayed start to the season, so it was on hands and knees and prayed for a miracle. Again THE SUN GOD pulled out the Dundee West brolly and basked us in its rays.
For the first 10 mins. of the game The West manage to do the usual start to the campaign and still look like they're in bed. However the boys soon woke up and the chances started to come but it seemed to be that all the new seasons boots had been fitted on the wrong feet.
Owen appears on the edge of the box and I'm thinking to myself. " Where are you going?". Or something like that. Now I'd have to get out the history books to see if he had scored before, he hits a sweet drive, 1 up and that starts the ball rolling. Minutes later Owens back in the box, (going to have to have a little chat about this) and looks to get his second but a good shout from Declan cuts the ball back for him (Deky) to slot home. Richie Low’s up next and as the ball gets whipped in he sticks out a big knee for three. Rob Low, busy as usual, finds himself in good position, has a quick strike and its 4. Dan (Smudge) Wood (aye captain) has a drive from the edge of the box, keeper saves but parries it back to him. Doesn't miss the second time and its 5. When there's goals up for grabs Jinky Jake is normally in them. A good through ball and he shows enough strength to hold off the defenders and hits six. I'm running out of note paper. The West have a throw and Rob Low and Jinky are both on the same wave level. A quick throw to Jinky, who beats his man and puts Robbie back in, holds off the challenges and its 7. Its all Dundee West and a goal mouth scramble sees Robbie Low complete a first half Hat-trick.
8 nil at half time and I’m no' happy. We're not playing the football we want to see. Stop the individual stuff and work as a team.
Second half and this is better. The West turn on the style and knock the ball around. OK now were looking like a team. Lachlan on in the sticks throws out to the right back. Four quick passes later and Rhys Grant finishes well. Easy lads ain't it. Don’t make it complicated. Ryan Grant who had been on fire goes of on a mazy, hits the by line and cuts back. Jinky Jake slams home for his second. Ryan's running a riot now and steals the ball from the Kirri defence heads straight for goal and coolly takes a well deserved goal. The west are playing some bonny fitba and Deky Declan crosses and Wee Bob makes no mistake. Another great move and its Deky to supply another cross to see Jinky hit 13. More pressure from the West and Liam Sinclair hits a shot from the edge of the box and unfortunately for Kirri the Ref awards a penalty for hand ball. Liam duly delivers for 14.
Man of the Match caused chaos on the right. Ryan Grant
The Goals
Owen Steele 1
Robbie Low 3
Richie Low 1
Robbie Christie 1
Dan Wood 1
Jake Davidson 3
Ryan Grant 1
Rhys Grant 1
Declan Jackson 1
Liam Sinclair 1
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20th July 08
Pre Season Friendly
Fair City Boys 4 – 5 Dundee West
It’s been a long break and it’s good to get back.
No away game for us is without great debate on how to find the venue. However the directions usually get bantered around once you reach the town you’re going to. Surely not since the invention of the automobile has anyone from Dundee ever got lost trying to find PERTH. TRACEY!!!
Once Wee Boab & Big Mike arrive the game gets under way late – TRACEY!!!
From the whistle its looks pretty much even and The West find themselves behind after around 10mins. The goalie is looking a bit disorientated, probably from getting driven around in circles. TRACEY!!! But The West always looked comfortable and soon were on level terms through a Jinky Jake goal. The West were now looking to take control but fell behind against the run of play. The lads didn’t let their heads go down though, and after some good football, they pull themselves level before half time with a Wee Boabie goal (cause’ it annoys TRACEY)
Pleased enough with the first half.
With a lot of the team still on holiday it was to be a hard afternoon for the lads. With only one Sub the warm day was sure to have an effect on this game. The second half was going to be hard work against the well organised and hard working Perth side. But the lads have been working hard in pre season training and looked up for the task. Sure enough The West take the lead early after half time and Jinky Jake finishes well for his second. The West were having a good spell now and some good football ends up with Robbie Low swinging in a good cross and new signing Liam Sinclair gets in front of the goalie, and gets a debut goal. The home side weren’t giving up though and pulled one back, but only after a string of great saves from the Dundee West keeper. Minutes later though the 2 goal lead is restored again after a good move, Wee Bob, back on after being sick, (probably travel sickness TRACEY!!!) keeps his nerve and coolly slots home for his second. The home team were still looking for more out of this game. Big Mike in the sticks pulls off another series of good saves before they pull another back, to set up a nervy finish to the game.
Good win against a good side,
The Goals
Jake Davidson 2
Robbie Christie 2
Liam Sinclair 1
Man of the Match With every one putting in a good shift Mike “The Goalie” Folganan gets the nod after a shed load of fine saves.
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