Starting 11: Daniel; Jamie; Luke; Callum S; Adam; Aidan; Jack; Callum G; Shaun; Nathan; Owen S.

As this was the first game for some weeks, there was a sense of anticipation before the game. The boys in blue looked forward to game time after the long lay off due to bad weather.

All the early pressure came from Bathgate, as Bathgate ensured all the play was in the Blackburn half of the field.

On 5 minutes a throw-in was won on the left, just in line with the 18 yard box. Adam strode forward and confidently took a long throw which Shaun picked up under pressure from a strong looking defender. Shaun turned his marker and took the ball past a further two defenders. Shaun now only had the keeper to beat for the first goal. As the stopper ran out from his goal, Shaun calmly stroked the ball inside the near post for 1 – 0.

In the 13th minute, Jamie showed his strength by forcing an attacker into kicking the ball wide of Daniels’ goal and out for a goal-kick. From the goal-kick, taken by Callum G, the ball landed perfectly at Shauns’ feet. Shaun took the ball up the right wing and laid the perfect pass to Callum G, just inside him and to his right. Callum G pitched in a lovely ball to Owen S, 6 yards out. Owen S didn’t connect as well as he would have wanted. However, the ball rolled just outside the goalies left hand and into the net, off the inside of the goalies left post for 2 – 0.

Two minutes later, Jamie, at left back, passed forward to Adam who was in the left centre of the park. Adam took control of the ball, looked up and noticed Owen S. Owen S, with his back to goal, tapped the ball back to Adam. This tap back allowed Adam to chip the defence, with a perfectly weighted ball, which landed perfectly for Shaun, who had been alert to the chip from Adam. Shaun then ran on towards goal and slotted away for 3 – 0.

Jack, who again was showing strength and determination in the centre of the park, lobbed the defence for Nathan to run forward and past three heavy footed defenders. However, Nathan’s fine shot flew just past the keepers left post.

Callum S, who was marshalling his defence well, cleared a through ball back up the park to Adam inside the Blackburn half. Adam ran some 30 yards up the inside left of the park and crossed to Callum G in the centre. Callum G struck the ball well and his low shot found the net making the score, after 20 minutes, 4 – 0.

Graham came on for Callum G on 25 minutes. Two minutes later Graham’s first involvement was to send a slick pass to Jack, out on the right. Jack then passed the ball to Owen S, who was calling for the ball around the corner of the box. Owen S then took the ball past two defenders and struck the ball across the keeper for 5 – 0.

HT 5 – 0

The second half started scrappily, with the ball passing around the midfield area, both teams failing to break each others defence.

Around 25 yards out from the Blackburn box, Lewis linked well with Owen T in 10 minutes. However, Owen T’s effort on goal was blocked by a defender and cleared upfield.

The fist meaningful attack came in the 15th minute. Luke, who had been composed all afternoon, sent the ball from his own 18 yard box, forward to Owen S. Owen S combined well with Owen T in the right centre of the park. Their interplay drew defenders and allowed Aidan space just in front of the Blackburn 18 yard box. Aidan, determined and brave, ran through the defence and deftly dinked the ball over the stranded stopper for 6 – 0.

In 20 minutes, Callum G ran 30 yards up the left wing, passing 3 defenders with ease. Callum G then cut the ball back to Owen S inside the 6 yard box. Owen S hit his hat-trick inside the keepers near post for 7 – 0.

Bathgate kept pressing and in the 33rd minute the goal of the game was scored.

The goal was well worth the wait; Adam robbed a defender just on the corner of the 18 yard box. Sensing his first goal of the game would have to be soon, Adam took on another 2 defenders while running just inside the box. Before unleashing his lethal left foot shot, Adam looked up and noticed there was another defender running out towards him. Adam cooly let loose and his shot flew into the top right of the net for 8 – 0.

Talking points:
A fright for everyone when Cameron went over on his ankle. Everyone scared all his hard work in getting back playing had been cut short after 5 minutes of him coming on as a sub.
Adams’ stunning goal.