By Neily
July 3 2003

The Allstars met their counterparts from partick thistle in a challenge match at the Firhill complex in Maryhill..................

The Harry Wraggs (1) V (8) A.S Airdrie

The Allstars were dominant in what turned out to be no more than a training exercise, right from the off the front line were causing trouble for the Jags defence with good movement, and the early pressure paid off when perennial misser Ally Cracked a strong shot in to the top corner of the “Wee” Jags Keeper’s net. This settled the lads down and they continued to control things with the Jags limited to the odd push forward, which the defence dealt with easily. The second goal came about more bizarrely when Rg launched a long throw in which the “wee” jags keeper tried to catch only to drop into the net. Rg duly celebrated but this must go down, as an OG as if the keeper hadn’t touched it the result would have been a goal kick.

Goal number 3 came from a long range shot which the “wee” keeper got down to but failed to hold, Darran showed striker’s instinct by following up to tap home from a foot out. At this point we began the rolling substitutions, which kept everybody fresh and on their toes throughout the match. The jags pulled one back when a mix up in the defence let their front player through for a shot on goal, Johnny made the save only for the following up player to tap home. The 3 goal lead was restored at the end of the first half when Rg did get on the score sheet with a trademark 25 yarder

The second half started a little slower but was again all one way traffic with players moving positions and coming on and off, by now Thistle had changed keeper and it seemed to be working as he foiled several attempts as Allstars had chance after chance. He was finally beaten when Stevie Boywonder drifted in at the back post to slot the ball into the net after another attack seemed to have been stopped. James then took control of the attacks rifling shots in from all angles, there was no stopping him and he fired in a hat trick with 3 great finishes after some nice set up play. Trenchie could have made it 9 when he was clean through only to delay the shot and the keeper got a foot to it. All in all it was a worthwhile game with everybody getting a run out and a few trying new positions which will help the team throughout the coming season. On to the Motherwell now and I’ll have another 8 goals please !!