League Division 1 at Morar drive 20/03/10

West end villa 1 vrs Houston Amateurs 4

Houston hadnt played a league game for a few months and this was only their 7 league game of the season due to the bad weather and cup games. Having played less league games than other teams in the league it was important that Houston added to their point tally in this game.

With the sun out and a good playing surface this would be an opportunity for both teams to play some football and with the Houston management reminding the players of the importance of coming out the traps early in this game and putting it to their opposition. With some players missing it was an excellant chance for others to stake their claim in the team.

Houston started the game and both teams found it difficult to gain control of the game with West End attacking and Houston playing on the break, the first chance for Houston duly arrived, a great through ball for Scott McLintoch who couldn't quite get his header past the advancing keeper who saved well. West End continued to press Houston back as they found it difficult to get their foot on the ball but the first goal arrived and it was for Houston. A shot went in on the West End keeper who fumbled the ball but seemed to gain control again, Houston appealed for a corner but the referee didnt give it. Then strangely the West End keeper threw the ball out for a corner obviously thinking he heard a whistle, Stephen Sloan put a low cross in to the advancing Houston right back Darren Bogle to put a precise shot just inside the near post 1-0. To West Ends credit they came back strongly and had the Houston defence stretched at times but good defending and poor finishing kept houston ahead.The front two for Houston were working very hard harrying and closing down the defence chasing everything and it was this combination on the 32nd minute that increased the lead, a ball was played over the top to Sloan he ran down the line before placing a great cross right on the head of McLintoch for an easy header 2-0 and Houston looked more comfortable, perhaps the rustiness having not played now gone. However on the 41st minute as West End played a high ball into the box the referee saw a push and gave a penalty to the home team, this made it 2-1 at half time.

Houston management and players ironed out a few things at half time and in the second half saw a completely different away performance, Houston were now playing higher up the park and this suffocated the West End attacks, the away side were also passing far better and scored their third 5 minutes into the second half, Sloan again with a great pass to put McLintoch through one and one with the keeper, a great finish under the keeper into an empty net and this was to prove decisive. Houston made a sub Ryan Bogle for Callum Graham to inject some pace and Ryan dinked a great pass through to Sloan but the keeper saved well. West End were now playing the long ball and blazed a great chance over the bar. Houston brought on Andy Newton and new signing Barry Lavety to try and wrap up the game which happened immediately on the 76th minute. A high ball was played to Lavety who expertly played the ball first time out wide to Man of the Match Sloan he played a low cross into the box where Newton stormed into the box firing a first time shot past the keeper 4-1 Houston and the game was over, although they had another great chance to score again, Lavety met a cross with his head only to see it rebound of the underside of the bar. A good win with a very good second half performance for Houston, and as from the 29th they will now be playing three games a week, but firstly they have a very difficult tie in the second round of the fleming cup against league challengers Alba Thistle on Saturday the 27th.