Star 0 Lochend 2

Star 0 Lochend 2
League match
Chris
Cleishy, Mikey, Robbo, Chiefy
Craig, Stevie, Graham, Jason
Peter, Paul.
Garry
rasho
Stewart
Sean
Peas
Star faced league leaders Lochend for the second time this season but left Riccarton with nothing as their proud 2-year unbeaten home league record was ruined.
It could have been so different though as Star started brightly and took the game to their opponents with chances created in the first 20 minutes - but none was taken and it was this first quarter of the game which could have seen them with daylight between them and Lochend.
Most of the Star's dangerous attacks came down the left as the fierce wind nullified any chance of a quality cross from the wide right area and a couple of openings were created, but lack of composure and some decent goalkeeping ensured the Lochend goal stayed intact.
Midfield was being bossed by Star until the Lochend team gradually got on top, mostly due to weight of numbers as they used five in the middle, although, it has to be said the Star had a few players who were not at their best.
The usually trustworthy confident first touch was not always apparent and the Lochend players did not need a second invitation to snap into the tackles.
Star looked comfortable at the back, despite a couple of swift forwards to face and they sprang the offside trap with regularity, stopping Lochend getting through to threaten the Star goal.
Chris had his best game for the Star so far with a few good saves, which seemed to give him more confidence as his handling and punching was excellent.
With the midfield being over-run, Star changed formation as Mikey came out of the back four to bolster the engine-room and this did make a difference.
Then, as Star gave the ball away cheaply again, and with too many midfielders ahead of the ball, Lochend pushed it through and the once reliable offside trap collapsed as the Star rearguard, possibly over-confident of their position due to their earlier successes, stood still, allowing the Lochend striker to stroke the ball past Chris for the opener. Play to the whistle comes to mind here and, although this error was punished it was one of very few over the 90 minutes by the Star defenders.
Half time came and the frustration felt by the Star players, if not ideal, was understandable but there was no panic from the coaches. Improve the first touch, try to put a foot on the ball and don't give it away so cheaply and so often, as this failing meant the ball was won, them promptly given back again to an opponent who was well organised, fit and well up for the fray.
Second half wins are the Star speciality, but it was not to be on this occasion, as luck deserted the Riccarton lads with the Lochend goal leading a charmed life as their 'keeper had a couple of good saves and a couple of lucky ones.
Mikey had a daft moment as he attempted a goal-line clearance, lost his footing and shielded the ball with his prostrate body - as the huge Lochend No 6 charged in. He was lucky to get away with his head still attached as the ref gave Lochend a free kick on six yards.
But this was brilliantly defended as Star forced the ball away and a combination of kamikaze defending and determination was the pattern for the next 16 minutes.
And then, a brilliant goal for Lochend as they counter-attacked at speed. Their midfielder collected the ball mid-way inside his own half and took off. Although he had left a couple of Star players in his wake he still had a lot to do and it looked likely that he would run out of ideas as he neared the penalty area, but he hit the shot early and it fairly whistled past Chris, who did get a hand to it - off the underside of the bar and a following up striker made sure it went over the line, although, apparently it had crossed the line at first time of asking.
Star were well disappointed at this loss as, at 1-0 they were still in the game and looking to share the points but they were out of luck again as Craig hit the bar with an excellent free-kick and another few chances were made as balls were fired in from the right, but, again, no takers were evident. And round about this time the Lochend 'keeper saved one as it skiffed off his heid!
Sean and Rasho made a bit of an impact replacing Pistol and Jason with Sean almost scoring and Rasho reaching the bye-line, but Lochend defended their lead stuffily, if not always legally to play out time, gaining another three points in their bid to win this division.
Possibly a tad biased, but I think Star possibly deserved a draw, given the chances made, but balanced off with the MoM being the 'keeper, maybe a bit optimistic.
On the positive side, though, Watt Star did match Lochend in every area, the players know they can play a lot better and it's up to the squad to lift themselves up for the next game.
Apologies if your name isn't mentioned this week, but you may notice there are very few get a mench. Nothing sinister - just the way it comes out of my flying fingers. . .
Saturday is a Challenge Cup quarter final against Scottish Widows at Double Hedges.
Assemble there for 12.45 please. The weather is still potentially an issue, so bring training gear incase the game's called off at short notice.