Match Report - ST LAURENCE - 26 Jan 2019

*** Terrific Tbooth Progress in Association Trophy ***

St Laurence 2-6 Tolbooth

Chapman, Hay, Fuller, Petrie, Murray, Michie (Grant), Rattray, Paterson, Riley, Keith, Shand

Shand ??????

Michie ??

Paterson ??

Keith ??

For the second week running it was Premier Division opposition for Tolbooth as a switch to an artifical pitch meant the Association Trophy Third Round tie vs St Laurence was on. With the current list of absentees growing, Grant passed a late fitness test to take a place on the bench alongside Assistant Manager MacLeod who conveniently forgot his boots and our very own TT Dickson-Haelt who despite looking smashing in his skin tight kit - would only be used if things got desperate.

Tolbooth squandered an early chance when Hay's switch ball from the right found Keith who skipped beyond the full back before crossing to Shand who was inches from turning the ball home. St Laurence started to look a threat playing some quick passing football, but was denied the opening goal by an excellent point blank save by Chapman. The deadlock was soon broken and it was advantage Tolbooth after Keith's initial shot was saved, Shand reacted first to tap home. Midway through the half the lead was doubled in spectacular style when Michie fired a first time volley into the bottom corner beyond the diving goalkeeper. Tolbooth withstood late pressure and a series of set pieces to go in leading at the interval.

As expected, the Premier Division side reacted in the early stages of the second half. A route back into the game arrived with a fine strike from the edge of the box into the top corner. Minutes later, it was all square when Tbooth switched off at a corner allowing an unchallenged knockdown, which was followed by a close range finish to make it 2-2. St Laurence now looked to be the ascendancy, but Chapman produced a fine block one on one to keep the tie level. Tolbooth reacted and proceeded to blow St Laurence away with a brilliant 4 goals in 10 minutes. The first a clever ball from Keith that was camly finished under the goalkeeper by Shand. The next a lightening counter attack after Paterson rose highest to clear a St Laurence corner, Riley stormed down the right wing before passing to Keith who squared to Shand to complete his hat-trick from close range. The impressive Paterson soon got his name on the score sheet when he added the 5th with a finish across the goalkeeper after a Riley cross. An unbelievable 10 minutes was concluded with a fine finish by Keith after an excellent ball from Hay on the half volley. St Laurence continued to look a threat but both excellent defending and goalkeeping ensured Tolbooth left Laurencekirk deserved 6-2 winners.

A fantastic result for the lads today against Premier Division opposition. All the best to St Laurence for the rest of the season. On to the next we go ???????

#uptheTbooth