Goal Scorers
Calmac
Matusavage x2
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Rab Hughes
Managers MOTM sponsored by All Prepped Up at Reilly's
Craig Reid
Match Report
Fir Park Corner’s swashbuckling start to their maiden campaign continued apace with the deserved 3-2 scalp of Glasgow Emerald.
Iain Adam’s men arrived in East Kilbride riding high after a perfunctory victory over Fit-Ball United, only for a sluggish start costing an early goal.
However, Calum McMillan’s cute header soon hauled the Corner level before the break, with a Scott Matusavage double rendering a second Emerald goal moot.
The league newcomers are now two wins from two and top of the Th13tn Warriors League One standings as they roar towards a meeting with the Glasgow Lions Next.
Two weeks prior, Fir Park’s rip-roaring 13-3 win over Fit-Ball was built on confidence, ruthlessness and concentration in key moments.
These three traits were lacking during an opening period blighted by profligacy and ponderous defending that was swiftly punished. Jordan Massey was given the freedom of East Kilbride to maraud forward, with his drive from 25 yards arrowing into the top corner like a heat-seeking missile.
“We’ve not started yet, boys” was the lament from McMillan as the Corner assembled to restart the game. It was hard to disagree.
Eventually the midfield began to click against a well-drilled opposition.
With little joy playing through Emerald, it took a moment brimming with magic, couple with a dollop of good fortune, to restore parity.
Tony Greer drifted out on to the right flank before cutting back on to his left. The Corner’s top scorer this time played a supporting role as his left-foot cross whipped its way into the boss and arcing over the head of a despairing defender.
McMillan was lurking on his own and showed terrific striker’s instinct to head back across goal, leaving the Emerald goalkeeper off balance as he could only watch the ball trundle by him.
However, it failed to offer the kickstart that Adam was yearning for from his team. There were fleeting glimpses of attacking threat from his team, but too often Rab Hughes was called upon to keep the Corner level as the game drifted to the break.
Stern words at the break seemed to do the job as the men in claret and amber emerged rejuvenated with a fresh sense of purpose and intent.
A magnificent ball inside the Emerald full back unleashed McMillan to ghost into the box, square across the goal for Matusavage to roll in.
Hughes was still busy, producing a world class double save to deny the hosts, earning a bruised shin off a post for his trouble.
Yet it was a warning the corner did not heed. Moments later, Antony Thomson was also given space at the edge of the area for his shot to creep in at the far post.
But the Corner were not to be denied their second win. Greer was again instrumental, again it was his killer delivery from the right which found Matusavage unmarked six yards out.
The big forward’s initial header cannoned back off the bar to gasps of anguish from the Corner bench, but they quickly turned into cheers of joy as he nodded his own rebound back across goal and into the net.
From there on the game raged from end to end. The yellow boot of Craig Reid sent a dipping effort from range off the base of a post, while Emerald conspired to spurn a glorious three on one chance in the dying embers of the game.
It was far from pretty, but Adam can be content that his team produced three flashes of attacking quality which ultimately decided this game. With that, coupled with heroic goalkeeping and a resolve and dig, the Corner continue to move forward with nothing to fear.
