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Craigie travelled along the Cleppie for this rearranged fixture trying to keep their unbeaten run going and trying to apply pressure on the teams above. With injuries taking their toll changes were to be made to the starting line up again, but in the end a solid performance by all made sure that the unbeaten run goes on, the 3 points were in the bag and a clean sheet achieved.

With McCartney failing a late fitness test, Ferrie still not 100% and Warwick recalled by Forfar, Craigie were forced into a couple of changes with Bowie coming on at the right side of midfield, Howatt moving to the middle and McDonald moving forward. It also provided the opportunity to bring in another couple of youth players from the League winning U16 side, unfortunately neither were to get game time, but the experience will stand them in good stead.

Craigie started slowly and allowed North End a couple of early chances, with one being excellently stopped by Dunn. As far as North End were concerned, that was it from them in the first half as The Shipbuilders started to control the game and place the North End defence under increasing pressure. A couple of chances came and went until McDonald popped up with the opening goal. An excellent free kick from White looked like it was about to be met by Malone, instead Mann jumped in front, squared it to McDonald who expertly controlled with one touch and placed it into the net with the other. Celebrations were a bit unusual but he was happy none the less.

Craigie were dominant over the whole park with Bowie twisting and turning his way down the flank, McDonald finding space when he wanted and Maloney and Mann getting inbetween the defenders at will. Craigie should have done more with the possession but were only a goal to the good at half time. Well on top and in total control but for poor finishing they should have had the game done and dusted.

Half Time : Dundee North End 0 – 1 East Craigie

The second half started in the same way as it finished with Craigie controlling everything around the park and it took only 6 minutes of the second half to extend their lead when Maloney snuck in at the back post to give Craigie a bit of breathing space and nothing less than they deserved.

North End at this point made a couple of changes and started to get themselves in the game and it was Craigie who were having to defend. Malone and Reekie were solid at the back however and anything that came their way was cleared up the park. North End were pushing hard when they were dealt a blow with what appeared to be a serious injury to former Shipbuilder Zak Wilson. Having played the ball forward his leg went from under him and he was left on the ground in obvious pain. It took a few minutes for him to be stretchered from the park and the game restarted. North End had all the pressure now and Craigie just couldn’t find the out ball and make it stick. As much pressure as they had and as many corners they took, Dunn didn’t have too many saves to make thanks to Malone and Reekie mopping everything up. Just as it looked as if it wasn’t going to be North End’s night they were given a penalty, soft, but a penalty. As you’ve read before in these match reports we have a keeper who has a pretty good record at saving them, and so it was again. The North End striker blasted the ball down the keepers left but although he had gone slightly right Dunn managed to get his leg to it. Craigie made a couple of substitution late on with McLeish replacing Bowie who had started to tighten up and Irvine for Howatt who had, along with Captain Gray dominated the middle of the park for Craigie throughout most of the game.

Craigie now got some more time on the ball and were able to see out the last 5 – 10 minutes quite comfortably.

Final Score ; Dundee North End 0 – 2 East Craigie

As good as the team were going forward in the first half, they demonstrated a resilience in the second half that showed how much they want to keep the excellent run going. Welsh at right back will never be as busy as he was in the second half and North End for some reason seemed to want to drive down the Craigie right. Nothing came of it thanks to Welsh’s performance supported by Bowie, Gray and Reekie. Down the left side Maloney, Whyte, Howatt and Malone were unbeatable and in the first half, Mann and McDonald were unplayable such was their clever movement off the ball and sniping runs at the Dokens defence. Dunn capped off a fine night for the team with a penalty save to add to his collection. North End may have been worth a goal for their pressure in the second half but a win for The Shipbuilders was about right.

Lots of potentials for Man of the Match and it would be almost impossible to single any one player out from the first half given the level of team performance but Whyte would have shaded it. On second half performance it would have to come from Malone or Reekie and only because of his dominance and vocal encouragement to the whole team when they were under immense pressure, tonight’s Man of the Match is Jim Malone, sponsored by James Dunlop. Another outstanding performance from the young centre half who continues to improve.

Another top tussle comes our way on Saturday with the visit of Kinnoull to Craigie Park. This again has all the makings of a top game, with Kinnoull going down to 5th in the league thanks to our victory tonight, they’ll be wanting to get their place back as soon as they can and what an opportunity they have. Craigie will simply want to extend the run and continue to put pressure on those around about.

East Craigie FC

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