18th February 2023 Heriot Watt University 2 Craigroyston 1

 

Well it’s Saturday and having not been to a live match since 3rd January due to illness I decided it was time to get back to football. I was originally going to watch Bonnyrigg v Forfar but that was called off in mid morning due to a waterlogged pitch. The Hearts B match at Rosewell was  also called off for the same reason. I did not want to travel too far so decided to head out to the Oriam to watch Heriot Watt University v Craigroyston in the East of Scotland Second Division. I caught a 34 bus at 14.08 and arrived at the ground half a hour later. The game was being held on the outdoor John Brydon Arena and I paid my £3 entry fee on arrival. HWU used to issue programmes but have ceased production. I ask the gateman if any team sheets were available. There were none for spectators but the other guy on the gate nipped across to the dressing rooms and brought a copy of the HWU team-sheet for me to photograph. Unfortunately the Craigroyston bench was on the far side of the pitch and not accessible to spectators so I could not confirm their full line-up. I took a seat in the stand on the halfway line to watch the final stages of the sides warming up before the start of the match. 

With both Dalkeith Thistle and Stirling University having their matches postponed HWU had a chance to move up to fifth place in the EoS Second Division with a win today. Like all the University sides HWU have a high turnover of players with players leaving as they graduate and leave for employment opportunities. Craigroyston have been the ‘whipping boys’ of the East of Scotland League for the past few years. However they have improved this season and currently sit fourteenth in the eighteen club league. With four being relegated this season they are currently safe albeit only one point ahead of Edinburgh United. The two main members of the Craigroyston committee recently stepped down and the club are now looking for new committee members to help take the club forward.

To be honest the first half was a bit of a non event. HWU had most of the possession but were unable to make any clear chances. Ally Shrive was impressive in midfield for HWU as wee fullbacks Justin Hogg and Charlie Stewart. Up front Nandom Dimyil who had looked impressive when I had seen him before was making good runs but either could not reach passes or wast a Leto find space for a shot at goal when he did. Craigroyston came more into the game but like HWU were toothless up front. By halftime there had been one corner from each side, both from deflections of defenders rather than saves from the keepers. Neither keeper had a difficult save to make and were limited to cutting out crosses into the box and taking goal kicks.

If the first half had been dull the second started with a bang. HWU forced an early corner and centre backs Robbie Logue and Campbell Marr trotted forward to the Craigroyston penalty area. The defence assumed a high ball would be sent into the penalty for the two centre backs to challenge in the air. Kieran Richmond took the corner from the right and cross low towards the front post. Marr broke towards the front post and dived to flick a header across goal and into the net at the far post to out HWU ahead. Two minutes later HWU scored a second. Jamie Kennedy broke from midfield and had a shot from just outside the penalty box. A Craigroyston defender dived to block the shot but was only able to deflect the ball into his own net giving keeper  Jamie Newman no chance of making a save. Shortly after there was an amusing incident when a Craigroyston defender collapsed in the six yard box following a corner. The referee let the ga e continue as the HWU supporters shouted for the game to be stopped. A Craigroyston fan shouted that it was not a head injury and there was nothing wrong with the player. The ball went out of play and as the referee ran over towards the ‘injured’ player only to see two of his teammates help him to his feet. As he limped away the Craigroyston fans shouted across to the HWU fans ‘Told you there was nothing wrong with him’. Craigroyston pulled a goal back with about fifteen minutes to go. A forward cut into the box on the right and fired in a shot which HWU keeper Alex McMahon dived to push away. The ball fell to Craigroystons Leo Buckle who rolled the ball into the empty net. McMahon pushed away a shot from outside the penalty box to prevent an equaliser. Craigroyston had some U20s in their side and the number15 looked a good player and was not scarred to take defenders on. As the game moved into time added on a Craigroyston defender cleared the ball which ended up in the area between the two stands. HWUs Justin Hogg strolled across to gather the ball as the referee urged him to hurry up. The defender turned and shouted at the referee ‘ I am not a ball boy!, despite only having to walk maybe four paces of the pitch to collect the ball. He was promptly yellow carded and I am not sure if it was for time wasting or dissent. 

After the final whistle blew I walked down through the rain to the Avenue to catch a bus back home. A 25 came first I decided to take that to Haymarket and walk from there, was a bad mistake as there were temporary lights between Chesser and Balgreen. Took the bus two attempts to get through the normal lights at Chesser and another another three for temps further long. Finally got home and switched on Sky just in time to see Liverpools second goal at Newcastle.

Teams

HWU: McMahon, Hogg, C. Stewart, Logue, Marr, Shrive, Kennedy. McCreadie, Dimyil, Corolla, Richmond.

Subs: B. Stewart, Peggie, Foubister, Odolcyzk.

Craigroyston: Newman, Murphy. Cameron, Uwandu, Zeinecwz, Connolly, Buckle, Unknown, Unknown, unknown, Unknown.

Subs: Unknown, Unknown.