2006/2007 Season Review (continued)
NOVEMBER 2006
FIRST POINTS DROPPED
Due to the great Scottish weather Athletic only played one game in November and it was against our great friends Glasgow Islay who we had knocked out of the cup earlier in the season by 3 goals to 2. Games against Islay are always a physical affair and this was no different. Athletic took the lead twice in this game through Bobby and wee Ronnie but had to rely on a late equaliser to keep their unbeaten record intact. Teams last year found goals hard to come by against the meanest defence in the league. The goals we conceded in that game were all avoidable their first coming from distance and the other two from corners that we should have cleared. Thanks to Bobby his second goal of the game gave us a point when we should have got all three. This was a dent on our title hopes how we responded in the next match would be vital.
DECEMBER 2006
DIVSIONS APART
Again due to the weather Athletic only had one game in December. This would be a second round tie in the GDSML cup against Kilpatrick the leaders and eventual winners of division B. This was Kilpatrick’s debut season in the league so Athletic although confident of a result would not take their opponents lightly. The game was played at Athletic’s home park. Two goals from Frank and the other from Paul Tierney gave Athletic a 3-0 lead and although Kilpatrick pulled one back late on Athletic saw out victory without any problems. Kilpatrick will do alright in the first division and a mid-table position is not beyond them anything more will be a bonus.
JANUARY 2007
ALMOST A CUP SHOCK
It was back to league business for the first match of 2007 and Hillhead were the visitors. Athletic’s last league game was in November which saw us drop two points at home to Islay. Could Athletic get back to winning ways. Goals from Ronnie Munro and Paul Tierney gave us a 2-0 lead. Hillhead scored one in the second half and we had Grant to thank as he made a couple of good saves to ensure Athletic won the game. So it was back to winning ways and it looked like the draw against Islay was merely a blip. Next up for Athletic was a quarter final tie in the GDSML cup against Andrew Watts of the second division. Athletic beat the Watts 3-2 and 8-2 on their way to winning the second division last season so it was only a formality for Athletic to go into the semis. Or was it? Athletic took a one goal advantage courtesy of a slightly deflected free kick from Toddy. Into the second half and up steps Paul Tierney who picks up two bookings in quick succession. Athletic are down to ten men. Watts took advantage of the extra man and equalised and then took the lead. Athletic were staring at defeat for the first time this season and to lower league opponents. Last minute an in swinging corner from Jamie McQuilken took an deflection off the keeper and into the back of the net to take the tie into extra time. Both teams had chances to win it in extra time but in the end it came down to penalties. Who had the bottle? Goldie Bobby and wee Ronnie McGeogh scored the penalties needed to take us into the semis were we would play another team from the second division in the form of A.C. Milanda. There were times in this cup-tie that it looked like our undefeated record would be broken but great credit goes to all the guys with their never say die attitude to get us through to the semis.
Story so far in all competitions played 12 won 12. Goals scored 42, goals conceded 16.