Recap

Bathgate opened the league campaign at home to North Merchiston Vale. Bathgate flew out the traps creating good chances in first minutes of the game but couldn’t get the ball in the net then a long ball over the top by North Merchiston was not dealt with by either centre back or goal keeper in a mix up and the striker nipped in to head over the keeper in to the net. Bathgate were dominating the game and had several chances to score and also had one that was cleared off the line with most players in the box feeling it was over the line but a difficult one for the referee to get. Against the run of play North Merchiston made it 2-0 with Bathgate giving it away cheaply then another long ball caused problems and their strikers miss hit was fumbled pass our keeper. Bathgate created a lot of chance in the final 15 of the half but couldn’t get back in the game.
HT 0-2
Bathgate started the second half determined to get back into a game they had completely dominated but North Merchiston had two chances and scored. We started the game the same as the first creating chances from the off, some good saves from there keeper and a few chances just needing a touch to put in but just seemed it wasn’t going to happen. Bathgate had pressed well the whole game and were finally rewarded when Weir, steel and Wood pressed their defense with Woody intercepting a poor pass to then finish well to make it 2-1. Good pressure from Bathgate kept the ball in the opposition half with a few exceptions that were dealt with well by the defense. A corner that was cleared to the edge of the area fell to Mark McKenna who with an excellent drive well outside the area equalised for Bathgate. Bathgate played with more confidence and pushed for a winner, some great passing play that worked the ball into the box finally put away by Franny gave Bathgate the lead they deserved. Bathgate hit the bar after another good move and the rebound was saved then scrambled away. With only 10 minutes to go Bathgate got a little nervous a few chances were created by North Merchiston with some great saves from Markus making up for earlier errors however we continued to give the ball away cheaply which let North Merchiston back in the game as a shot was intercepted by their own player who turned and finished well to level the game at 3-3. With some tired legs Bathgate pushed for a winner which came with a few minutes to go, a ball that finally was put Ryan Weir through on goal and finished well in the top corner to win the game 4-3.
FT 4-3
An excellent performance and 4-3 flatters North Merchiston as with the chances created we should have at least 6 or 7 but we must cut out the mistakes. Could ask for much more effort and we played some great stuff at times, 3 points in the bag and every player was excellent.
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