Clydebank Post | Sport | Weir volley seals it for the Whe Ho

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 14th November, 2007 10:15

Weir volley seals it for the Whe Ho

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CONTROL: Derek Readie in charge (Pic: EO’N)

Yoker Athletic 2 Bernburb 1

YOKER started the match knowing it was crucial to win this type of game if they are to be involved in the promotion hunt come the latter stages of the season.

Jim and Les George made a few changes from the team that was knocked out of the Scottish Cup a week earlier.

In fairness to the visitors, they started pretty sharply with David Craig and John Boyle in midfield enjoying a lot of possession early on, but Yoker’s backline prevented the visiting forward line of two ex-Yoker players Billy Ferguson and Tony O’Neill little opportunity to trouble Meechan in the home goal.

The Whe Ho gradually came into the game and, as they were beginning to take control of the match, they took the lead.

With about a quarter of an hour played, Kenny Murray found Derek Readie’s fine run with a superb through ball and the big striker thrashed the ball past Ghattas in the visiting goal to give Yoker a 1-0 lead — an excellent finish from the striker on his recall to the starting eleven.

Lenny Marshall should have doubled the lead but he failed to get above the ball from a Billy McLafferty cross and his header sailed over the bar.

The second goal arrived on the half-hour mark when Scott Cameron dispossessed John Weir and his cross found David Watt who superbly volleyed home. Watt displayed excellent technique and left Ghattas helpless with a thunderous finish.

Ferguson had a chance for the visitors just before the break but the veteran front-man headed straight at Meechan.

The second half got underway amid torrential rain and the Holm Park surface began to cut up which in truth benefited the visitor’s long ball game and hindered Yoker’s free-flowing passing of the first half.

However, Yoker did have chances to stretch their lead further especially when Watt struck the post when it seemed easier to score from three yards out.

Ghattas was then thankful a Readie snapshot from the edge of the box went straight at him.

Yoker were made to pay for their missed chances when Lyons reacted quickest to a Meechan save to tap home a goal for the visitors which set up a tense last 15 minutes.

Watt again struck the woodwork this time with a header from six yards and the home crowd were beginning to think it was going to be one of those days but Yoker held out for the remainder of the game.

Player-coach Colin Clark felt they made heavy weather of their opponents. He said: “We started well and the first half was excellent but we failed to kill the game off after the break and maybe our fitness isn’t what it should be.

“Getting the three points was the objective and it was good to see Derek Readie getting his first goal for the club.”

Yoker’s next game is away to Port Glasgow at Ravenscraig Park in Greenock, kick-off time to be confirmed.

If anyone is interested in sponsorship of Yoker Athletic or keen to help-out around the ground during the week or on matchdays, please get in touch with a committee member at a match or come down to Holm Park on a Monday evening.

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