St James's Playing fields, 2.30pm ko

League Division 1 Game 4

Houston were back in league action this week against Paisley Amateurs who had last season beaten Houston in the play off semi final, Houston also had the opportunity of going top of the league if they were to beat Paisley Ams.

With a very strong wind blowing down towards one end of the goal andHouston losing the toss this meant they were palying against a very strong wind in the first half, the Houston management expressed the importance of playing the ball on the deck, and this is something Houston did brilliantly all game.

Houston attacked and in the first few minutes the referee turned down what looked like a stone wall penalty, then Darren Bogle had a couple of chance, with one he brilliantly rounded the keeper and with an open goal scuffed his shot by the post, perhaps if his team mates had informed him he had time he may not have rushed it so much. But it wasnt long before Houston scored with Grant Finnigan driving a shot form 18 yeard past the helpless keeper 1-0, 5 minutes later Grant scored again before rounding off his hattrick in the 24th minute 3-0 Houston, with Darren and Grant causing havoc for their defence and the rest of Houston playing some fantastic football it wasn't long before Darren Bodle made it 4-0 tapping in at the far post. Paisley pulled a goal back, but their striker looked to have been at least 5 yards off side, Houston retained their four goal advantage with a fifth from John Campbell. Then with five minutes before half time Houston relaxed and got a bit sloppy firstly losing possession and allowing their striker to make it 5-2, then a minute later a Houston player (CHRIS GILLIES) lost possession as he tried to dribble out his own box amaxingly Houston went in at half time only 5-3 ahead.

During half time it was clear that the Houston players were annoyed at them selves with Houston management challenging them to get back to playing football, However 2 minutes in to second half a through ball missed by the Houston defence left the Paisley striker to make it 5-4!!!!
Houston pulled themselves together no little thanks to two goalkeeping howlers, firstly Grant Finnigan shot hopefully from 25 yards which slipped under the keeper, then Robert Capper also drove in a shot which again slipped in under the keeper 7-4. Houston made a few subs bringing on Ryan Bogle and Ross MaDonnell both were to contribute to the final 20 minutes, Ryan with his pace was terrorising their defence and crossed for Ross to score, then almost a carbon copy Ryan crossed again, after agian beating his man thie time John Campball scoring 9-4 and Houston looked like they could score every time they went forward, on the 88th minute another cross in to the box was met well by a stretching Ross McDonnell his second and Houstons 10th, Final score 10-4, apart from a a poor five minute spell Houston had played very very well.

Next week Houston play Tynecastle from Easterhouse in the 2nd round of the scottish cup.

Bishopton playing fields 19th September 2009, 2.00pm ko
Mclean Lothian Cup 1st Round


Houston were playing a very determined Johnstone team for the second time in a week, and although Houston got the upper hand in the league game this cup game would prove to be a very difficult 1st round tie, added to which Houston are the current holders of this cup and were keen to defend it.

Johnstone started the match in determined mood with some crunching takles and closing Houston down at every opportunity, with Houston finding the huge park difficult to adapt too. Johnstone had the first chance shooting from just outside the box past the far post, and perhaps Johnstone were having more of the play at this time. Then on the 26th minute the break through, the Johnstone striker ran in to the box unchallenged before shooting low in to the far corner giving keeper Rab McDonald no chance, after this Houston came more in to the game without actually creating to many chances 1-0 at half time.

Houston came out in the second half knowing they were still very much in the game and began to take control with Johnstone now playing on the counter attack, Houston had the possession but just couldn't find the right pass in the final third. A few headers from corners from Houston and shots didn't cause to many problems, but by know Houstons fitness was very evident to see as Johnstone noticibly wilted and Houston took full control of the game attacking at every opportunity which led to scrambles in the Johnstone penalty area and they were defending liks demons. Then came the moment Houston had been playing for on the 89th minute a ball was swung in by Graeme Gow to the far post where Ian McCallum was on hand to expertly head the ball in from 4 yards 1-1, and the game went into extra time.

Houston had words before extra time and unless something amazing happened they were very comfortable that they could win this game in the extra 30 minutes as they looked far fitter. The first half went by without to many chances for either team again Houston attacking without any luck. The second half began with Houston knowing this was their best opportunity to finish Johnstone off as one goal would. Then on the 109th minute it came, a corner was swung in to the far post by John Campbell and was met by man of the match Graeme Gow who headed past a tired defence 2-1 Houston!!!! Houston should have added to their score but the game ended with Houston advancing to the next round where they will meet Cotters Bar.

Next week is a holiday weekend and the weekend after Houston play Paisley Amateurs in the league.

After a win and a draw in their first two games Houston who were promoted to the top Division last season were kean to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

However it was Johnstone who came out from the traps first, Houston took the kick off, a sloppy pass let Johnstone to brake up the park with a fantastic finish 1-0 to Johnstone after just 8 seconds. Houston however were quickly back in the game, a defensive blunder by Johnstone meant their defender headed past his own keeper. On the 18th minute Johnstone again went ahead with a neat finish into the far corner of the net. Houston didn't dwell on this however and 10 minutes later equalised for a second time, a fantastic ball put in from the left Robert Capper to expertly sweep past the keeper and into the roof of the net. On the 38th minute Houston took the lead for the first time, a corner in from the left was attacked by Gary Clark who's header sailed past the keeper in to the corner, Gary's first goal for Houston.
The second half started not quite as frantically and Houston began to take control without taking some chances, Johnstone however were only one goal behind and looked dangerous at times with Houstons keeper Robert McDonald pulling off two great saves. Houston were playing the ball around and the clinching goal came on the 68th minute, another sweeping cross was met by John Campbell 14 yeard out with a fantastic over head kick 4-2. Houston were very comfortable till the final whistle and should have added to their tally, however a great start to the season and Houston remain unbeaten.

Houston face Johnstone again next week this time in the cup being played at Bishopton.

The Amos first season presentation night will be held in the Houston Inn on Saturday 13th June and will start about 8pm.

There will be the main player presentations and we will also be having a raffle with various prizes on the night.

Everyone is welcome the more the better, and we can celebrate a very successful season with a few shandy's.

Here is the draw for the division 2 playoffs:

PAISLEY AFC. V FERGUSLIE AFC.

BISHOPTON UNITED AFC. V HOUSTON AFC.

GLYNHILL AFC. V PAISLEY ATHLETIC AFC.

HILLINGTON AFC. V CRAIGPARK AFC

ROUND 2
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HILLINGTON OR CRAIGPARK V GLYNHILL OR PAISLEY ATHLETIC

PAISLEY AFC. OR FERGUSLIE V BISHOPTON OR HOUSTON

So come on Houston only a few more games to go lets keep the tempo up.