Annan lead east league

Aug 30 2006 Dumfries & Galloway Standard

ANNAN moved to the top of the East of Scotland Premier league with this victory on Saturday.

This was the toughest challenge so far for the Galabank side as Lothian are a big physical side, the early part of the game saw a succession of free kicks for the home side. One of these saw McMenamin’s effort narrowly dip past the upright.

Annan had a major scare in 10 minutes when Lothian’s Gormley raced into the box, on-loan keeper Dougie Calder pulled off a tremdous save as he stood his ground on the edge of the six-yard box.

A spell of Annan pressure followed with chances falling to Bell, Parker and Jardine, the latter surprisingly found himself a yellow card when he was subjected to the aggression of Kidd. Five minutes before the break Parker had a golden chance to open the scoring but with the goal at his mercy following Hill’s back post header across goal the tall striker couldn’t get any purchase on the ball.

The second half opened in a flurry as Lothian’s Kidd found himself one on one with Calder, his effort hit the side net with a player free in the middle of the goal. Annan replied immediately, Mcmenamin split the defence to find Jardine, his cross saw Sloan heading into the side net. Jack then shot narrowly wide from 20 yards, Mcmenamin had an effort cleared off the line. The home crowd sensed a goal was coming as they spurred their team on.

On the hour mark, G Bell foundParker driving into the channel, his low cross behind the defence saw the inrushing Steven Sloan converting from eight yards out. G Bell then had a point blank header saved on the line, Sloan shot over after a Parker downward header, Sloan then saw a net bound shot deflected for a corner. In the 75th minute Manager Cairney introduced John Hore to the action andwith his first touch of the ball he scored his first goal for the club. G Bell turned his man on the edge of the box and drove towards the goal line, his perfect cross was volleyed home by Hore.

Annan were left under pressure for the final five minutes whenJardine was sent off after a second yellow card. Unmarked Hassan scored a consolation goal for Thistle in added on time as the home side faced some unnecessary anxiety.

This victory puts Annan two points clear of rivals Spartans and Whitehill Welfare, Annan manager Harry Cairney thought the first half was very even but added he felt the first goal would be important and could see it coming, both of our goals were the result of some quality build up play. I was disappointed with Jardine’s sending off which results in an automatic suspension. We lost our shape a bit after this and paid the consequences losing a late goal. Thistle’s co-manager Malky McCulloch rued his side’s missed chances in what he thought was an even game, he knew the first goal would be important in this tight challenge but took a lot out of the game and is looking forward to building on the performance in the games ahead.

Annan Athletic. D Calder, S Wilby, R McGuffie, M Bell, S Hill, M Jack, S Sloan, C Jardine, G Bell, G Parker, G McMenamin. Subs – J Hore, D Dunglinson, I Grainger, F Paterson.

Lothian Thistle. P Cadger, M McCauley, M Boggie, K Sivewright, P Neeson, N Ewart, S Gormley, A Kidd, F Ogilvie, S Clee, P O’Neil, D Beveridge, N hassan, S McLauchlan, D Blackely, D White.