Paul Lawrie Foundation v Kemnay FC Juve

Paul Lawrie Foundation 2 Kemnay FC Juve 1

Kemnay made the trip to Cults for their latest Development League fixture against Paul Lawrie Foundation, previously known as FDS and from this point forward in the report to be known as PLF! Kemnay welcomed back Ethan following an enforced absence following a broken wrist sustained during a school ski trip and so had a full strength squad to choose from.

The game kicked off on a well-sanded pitch, which affected the bounce of the ball. However both teams got used to the surface and started to play some attractive football. The home side probably started the livelier and put the Kemnay defence under some sustained pressure at times. In doing so they created a number of chances, however for the most part they failed to hit the target. When they did however, they found Kemnay keeper Archie in quite outstanding form. Time and again he showed great bravery in coming out to block shots and demonstrated excellent handling. One save, where he dived low to his right to deflect a goal-bound shot round the post for a corner was brilliant. PLF did appear to have taken the lead when a terrific shot for once beat Archie and struck the underside of the bar and appeared to have bounced over the line, however in the absence of goal line technology, the referee waved play on.

Kemnay were being tested by some good long through passes, but Reuben and Cameron held firm in the first period, defending for their lives and working hard to keep PLF at bay. The visitors were forced into a change after Reuben took a kick on the ankle, Mason slotting in at right back. Kemnay did look dangerous on the breakaway and did create a few chances of their own. Lewis had a good shot deflected wide for a corner and from the resulting kick, Ethan came close with an acrobatic volley and Matthew Robertson proved to be a constant handful for the PLF defence. Kemnay probably finished the first period slightly on top, nevertheless had Archie to thank for the score remaining 0-0.

The second period was as closely fought as the first with both teams carving out opportunities. PLF again showed how good a team they were with some lovely passing football. Kemnay however were proving to be very competitive and they used the wind to launch some quick counter attacks. The first goal when it came was a good one for the home side. The PLF winger showed good pace on the right and turned inside Liam, before advancing on goal and beating Archie with a clever low shot. Kemnay bounced back in the best possible way. Good build up play on the left by Lewis and Liam saw the ball shifted to Mason. He took a deft touch to beat his man before rifling a low shot past the PLF keeper to tie the game up at 1-1.

Kemnay could have added to their lead. More good play in the build up saw Lewis strike at goal. Unfortunately his shot came cannoning back off the bar and Matthew Law saw his follow up shot whistle just past the far post. Soon after a fantastic Lewis cross from the left deceived the PLF keeper before striking the post and rolling along the line. Again it looked to have crossed the line to give the away side the lead, but goal line technology proved inconclusive for the second time in the game. Matthew Law was finding himself some space on the right too and his crosses proved tricky to cope with. PLF continued to press though and were a constant threat with their passing and movement. However Archie was equal to anything that they could throw at him in the second period as it finished 1-1.

It was no surprise that the final period was as competitive as the previous two. PLF continued to play some lovely football on a difficult surface, but Kemnay were being combative and competitive and looking dangerous when they got opportunities. Kemnay could have taken the lead at one stage. A lovely interchange of passes between Liam, Cameron and Matthew Law ended up with a terrific cross to the back post that Ethan met, but his shot was brilliantly saved by the PLF keeper. 

There was to be a winning goal and it came for PLF, their striker sneaking in between the Kemnay defensive pair to poke a low shot past Archie and just inside the left hand post - a tidy finish, but harsh on Archie, who had been exceptional up to that point.

Final score 2-1. A really good game of football which was exciting and enjoyable to watch. You certainly couldn't deny PLF the narrow victory because they played very well and could have scored a few more had it not been for the Kemnay defence. As far as Kemnay are concerned, this was a terrific performance, full of commitment, heart and at times some lovely football of their own. There were a few candidates for Player of the Match - Cameron gave a defensive performance that Cheyne Senior would have been proud of, alongside him Reuben and Mason gave their all for the cause, the midfield showed great tenacity and skill with Sebastian again outstanding and both Ethan and Matthew Robertson worked their socks off against an organised defence without ever really getting the bounce of the ball. However no-one could deny the player of the match today.

Kemnay FC Juve Player of the Match - Archie Simons