FPC 2 Kickin' Squirrels 2

Last updated : 25 February 2004 By Chris Miller

Despite a couple of key players missing, FPC were hoping to put their recent bad run behind them. So, after a 2 week break, FPC lined up in a 3-1-4-2 Formation, with Barclay returning to the side to sit infront of the defence. Piggy's other notable changes included Topper pushing up to play in left midfield, Gilly switching to central Midfield, and Mitch partnering Dave Hendry up front. Chris Miller moved to right midfield, and the settled back three stayed constant with John H, Moonie and PJM across defence and of course Farmer in goals. There was even room for long term absentee Joe Smith, even longer term absentee Speedy and trialist Kev on the bench.

The game was delayed around 25mins, due to a lack of Killie players being there on time, however still started brightly with FPC having the better of the opening exchanges, with Dave Hendry sent running down the left wing on a couple of occasions. However the first goal came from the right hand side, a shy from Barclay over the defence allowing Chris Miller to run in behind and fire high into the net from a tight angle to give FPC the lead. However after this it was FPC on the back foot as Squirrels began to take the initiative and they created the better chances throughout the first half. Their best chance came after Frazzle missed a clearance allowing the forward to run on but Farmer was on hand to tip the ball over and keep FPC's lead intact.

Shortly before half time Mitch was forced off. The offer of a free bar and hospitality at Fir Park too much to resist, he was replaced by Joe Smith, his first outing in a FPC shirt for nearly 4 months. All hell broke loose (just kidding Joe). Somehow, thanks mainly to Farmer, PJM, Moonie and John Hendry the lead stayed intact until the half time whistle.

Both Sides kept the same line up into the second half but it was Squirrels who made the pressure pay off inside the first 5 mins of the second half. A long ball over the top wasn't properly dealt with allowing the squirrels forward, who had been causing FPC all kinds of bother all morning to latch on and fire low into the corner past the oncoming Farmer. The next 20mins saw end to end football, Squirrels could have had a penalty, when John H dived in and FPC had to endure one almighty goalmouth pileup, as 18 players crammed into 6 yards of space with the ball ricocheting everywhere. After what seemed like forever and some defensive heroics by Farmer again, the ball was cleared and FPC managed to stay in the game.

Frazzle went on a mazy run and seemed to beat just about everyone on the park including the ref twice, before being stopped by Squirrels giant centre half.

The next goal came from Dave Hendry, who had been posing a threat for most of the morning. He got the ball onto his weaker right foot, but still came up with a great finish to beat the keeper from the edge of the box low into his bottom corner, 2-1 to FPC as the last 20mins approached. Dave had some easier chances to extend FPC's lead, but it wasn't to be for last seasons top scorer and the score remained 2-1 to the home side.

As the game entered the last 10 mins, Chris Miller and the Barclay, who had been everywhere for the entire game, were replaced by Kev for his first appearance for FPC and Speedy for his First appearance in over two and a half years. As a nervous last few minutes commenced, FPC survived another goalmouth stramash, as well as wave upon wave of Kilmarnock attack.

Sadly in the very last minute FPC gave away a corner from which no one picked up the Killie Forward at the near post, to head home 2-2. The final whistle (or lack of it) was blown and on balance a draw was as much as we deserved from it. Farmer deservedly took man of the match, Paul Marshall was outstanding in defence and with any luck the bad run is now behind us and we can go on to start picking up wins, starting with the Harry Wraggs on 28th February.

FPC Team (3-1-4-2): 1. Farmer - 2. Moonie - 3. Topper - 5. Barclay (Speedy 83) - 7. Mitch (Joe Smith 36) 8. Frazzle - 9. Dave Hendry - 10. Gilly - 18 John Hendry - 23. Miller (Kev 82), - 33. PJM