Springboig v Spiders – Scottish Cup 3rd Round replay Greenfield Playing Fields Glasgow 22 November 2008.



After the thrilling 3rd round game that ended 3-3 the spectators eagerly awaited the next stage in the Spiders cup sagas this season. Spiders were last men standing at any age group for Giffnock, in this years Scottish Cup – an achievement in its own right.

To say it was a cold day is an understatement – it was absolutely Baltic and the supporters had to produce their own hot air to keep warm!!!

The pitch was a gluey mudheap and we thought it would be difficult for Spiders to produce their passing game in such conditions but he boys did us proud and with a bit more luck would have won the game.

But onto the match:-

Springboig started the brighter and had the Spiders defence having to look smart on a few occasions with Greg getting a few good touches early on to settle things and Matthew and Stoksey were crunching their way into the ‘Boig attackers.

The ball may I add was like a brick and Spiders were having to put their foot right through it to try to clear their lines, any clearances not getting far were expertly helped on by the Spiders midfield of Cammy, Adam, Scott and Ryan who were passing the ball well to each other and even at this early stage frustrating the ‘Boig players who were getting the run around in midfield.

The first Spiders shot came from Andrew Cannell (AC) and the opening was created after some good work from Cammy – who is finding a mean streak from somewhere as his tackling is getting better and better – well done!! The ‘Biog keeper saved the shot but it was a message from the Spiders that ‘Boig had a game on their hands.

‘Boig though were creating some good chances and Greg was called into action after 12 minutes when some good ‘Boig work down the Spiders right hand side resulted in a great save from the Spiders keeper.

As the first half progressed it was more and more Spiders with goods attempts on goal and after 19 minutes a super passing move down the Spiders right involving Paul, Cammy and Scott resulted in a corner to Spiders. From the corner the ball broke to Liam who bundled the ball over the line to make it 1 nil to the Spiders – game on…..

This stung ‘Boig who immediately put the Spiders under pressure but some stout defending from the back 4 of Paul, Matthew, Stoksey and Lewis kept the ‘Boig at bay. It was though only a matter of time before the equaliser went in and it came after 26 minutes from a good move down the ‘Boig left that gave Greg no chance in goal.1-1.
Spiders came right back and AC ran from the halfway line leaving the ‘Boig defence in his wake but his shot just crept over the bar. ACs pace was causing all sorts of trouble to the ‘Boig back line.

‘Boig though were still in this and it took some super team tackling to keep them at bay. Just as half time approached Adam, who was playing his best game of the season so far, had the chance to make it 2-1 when the ball broke to him 25 yards out from a ‘Boig clearance, he hit it well but it just crept over the bar with the keeper beaten.

HT 1-1

Spiders rung the changes at half time with Adam and Ryan coming off and Martin McKenna and Adam Gray coming on.

Second half stared brightly for Spiders with some great moves down the wing involving Lewis and Cammy and from Adam Gray who cracked a shot off the bar – again with the ‘Boig keeper helpless. The Spiders had a corner and from this we again hit the bar through Stoksey.

With the missed chances you could sense that it was not the Spiders day!!

The Spiders were hanging on a bit at the back with both Lewis and Stoksey clearing chances off the line with Greg beaten.

Scott though was taking the pressure off the back line with some excellent runs that attracted some fierce challenges from ‘Boig players, after one of these runs he fed Cammy who pulled his shot wide.

By this point it was end to end stuff with both teams going for the win and ‘Boig had a great shot from 25 yards that Greg acrobatically tipped over the bar – saving a certain goal. From the resulting corner though Spiders failed to clear and ‘Boig made it 2-1.

Spiders though were not for giving up and after some great work from AC, Cammy had a chance to equalise but hit it straight at the keeper, Scott then had a shot that again the ‘Boig keeper, who was playing out of his skin saved.

‘Boig had another attack and this resulted in a penalty for ‘Boig after one of their players was judged by the referee to have been fouled in the box. 3-1.

After this the Spiders completed their substitutions with Paddy on for the tiring Cammy and Martin Dunn on for Paul.

With about 5 minutes left AC had the chance to score but again the keeper saved and from the corner AC hit the post.

With seconds remaining and Spiders pushing for goals ‘Boig scored a breakaway 4th goal to complete the scoring.

This was a great effort from the team as we never stopped going for goals and AC with Liam were causing all sorts of problems for the Springboig defence. Another day on another park it might have been a different result, but good luck to Springboig in the next round.

Supporters Man of the Match - Greg Paterson

Coaches Man of the Match - Matthew Campbell