Steins Thistle FC emerged the victors as they dominated Claremont FC in a 4-1 win on Thursday night.
From early on, Claremont had a chance as they looked to make the home advantage count, with striker Jordan McNabney producing a fine save from the Steins ‘keeper as he shot from the left hand-side after a good run down the wing. Stein managed to get a foothold in the game and play some good possession as they looked to make Claremont work for the ball. Some slick passing and good wing play from their number 11 made them a good side to watch.
After 10 minutes, Steins striker Alex Tonner turned the defender and scored with his left to make it 1-0 to the away side. A counter-attack from Claremont almost punished Stein but they failed to make the most of their chance.
The Steins number 11 was at it again and had a chance to make it 2-0, but failed to find the net as Stein put Claremont under more pressure. The pressure looked to have worked as Tonner once again found the net after chesting the ball down, spinning the defender and striking it with his left; however, the referee deemed the goal to be offside and it was a good call from the official.
Steins were keeping the ball well and passing well, with their left back playing well getting up and down the pitch and producing some good throw-ins. A good run by Claremont’s captain was followed by a free-kick chance for Stein not long after and if it had been a few inches to the right, it would have flew in the top corner. Claremont’s J. McNabney was booked for a dangerous challenge on Steins' number 11 and Steins were forced to bring on a substitute. They brought on their number 16.
A cross from the right led to Stein’s second as Alex Tonner once again produced the goods inside the box with a header that went in, albeit from a good effort from Claremont’s keeper to deny the striker. 36 minutes gone and 2-0 to the away side. Claremont played well in the last few minutes before half-time and their coach had to do something to turn this around.
Half Time: Claremont FC Under 19’s 0-2 Stein Thistle FC Under 19’s
Claremont made two substitutes at half-time with Greg Delaney and Andrew Peddie coming on as they looked to recover from 2-0 down. They started the half well, with some good passing and they looked to build on this by bringing on Sandy Morrison.
Against the run of play Steins went 3-0 up as a corner was put in and the ball somehow found its way into the back of the net. 51 minutes had been played and Claremont had 40 minutes to turn it around. A counter attack from the home side showed good athleticism from Adam Rahma, bursting down the left hand side. If Claremont wanted something, it looked likely to come from the partnership of Rahma and Morrison down that left hand side. Fraser Spence was also looking dangerous.
Four minutes after Steins made it 3-0, Claremont pulled it back to 1-3 as midfielder Lee Cairney produced a stunning strike as he hit it with his right foot from about 12 yards and it flew in top right hand corner, narrowly missing the crossbar. However the good work was then found to be undone as Alex Tonner completed the perfect hattrick on 57’ as he cut in from the left and struck it with his right foot into the near post.
Claremont’s left hand side produced some good play but the final cross failed to find anyone as Steins' centre-backs were ruthless in defence. They won everything in the air. Claremont pulled another goal back as a cross came in from the left for Fraser Spence to tap it in with 20 minutes to go. 2-4.
3 yellow cards were produce in a short space of time as Steins' number 2 produced a tough challenge while Claremont’s Spence and Peddie were put in the book also. Greg Bryce was sent off for a second yellow for Claremont and they were down to 10 men.
The two sides almost came to blows at the end as tensions got the better of them but they were eventually separated as the game came to a close.
Andrew Peddie picked up his second yellow and Claremont were reduced to 9 men. The home side’s keeper did well to tip a shot onto the post late on and the match finished 4-2 to the visitors after a good performance.
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