Tuesday 8th March
Haws 1 - 2 Sauchie
Haws Scorer:- Lewis Elder (Pen)
Match report:-

MATCH REPORT by Dave Edler HAWS 1 SAUCHIE JUNIORS 2

Haws three month unbeaten run came to end during a game in which they dominated possession and shots at goal, but failed to apply the clinical finishing needed to win this crucial six-pointer.
The visitors arrived on a great run of form having dismantled Troon 5-1 in the cup a few days earlier, while the Haws had almost a full squad to choose from, with the exception of the suspended Shaun Leishman.
The home side went for their usual fast start, and Ross Allum was unfortunate to see his 13th minute effort charged down by the Sauchie defence. Three minutes later Daniel Watt fed Lewis Elder, but his effort was wide of the target.
Brian Morgan for the visitors showed a hint of what was to come later in the half when he struck the Haws crossbar with a well hit effort after receiving the loose ball following a free-kick. This obviously proved a ‘sighter’ for the Sauchie man, as just seven minutes later he flighted another free-kick into the top corner of the home net with Stuart Hall beaten all ends up.
On the half hour marked Elder almost replied for the hosts, but his first time effort was well kept out by Charles Clark. Haws boss Jason Dair was forced into a reshuffle as Jake Mitchell limped off after 37 minutes, being replaced by Mark Forbes returning after suspension. The half ended with Ryan Connelly picking up a booking for deliberate handball.

Half-Time: Haws 0 Sauchie 1

The second half started with Michael Watt getting in on the action, but the defender’s header was easily held by Clark. Elder again went close as the momentum seemed to be building in favour of the home side. So it was to prove as the Haws were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise following a 52nd minute infringement in the box.
Elder stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick and converted it with aplomb leaving Clark unable to get anywhere near it. However, as it started to look as if the Haws could now go on and win it, the visitors hit back almost straight away with a real sucker punch.
A deep ball to the far post found Scott Davidson, and he netted home to the consternation of the Haws defence and management team, as the realisation sank in that the hard work would need to be done all over again.
Ryan Connelly attempted to turn the tide back in the homesters favour, embarking on a 63rd minute jinking run that took him all the way into the penalty box before shooting straight at Clark.
Calum Admason headed wide five minutes later, and the same player saw his dangerous cross acrobatically plucked out of the air by Clark. Substitute Paul Quinn then joined the fray, and he almost had an instant impact when he sent in a well struck effort that Clark just about managed to turn over the bar.
With time running out the Haws huffed and puffed without carving out any more clear cut chances, and it was the visitors who came closest to adding to the scoreline, when Hall denied Mark Finlayson with a fine save at point blank range.

All in all a bad day at the office for the Haws, who now need to dust themselves down for the many vital, battles still to come.

HAWS: Hall, Grierson, Kellichan, Mitchell (sub. Forbes), M. Watt, Galloway, Adamson (sub. Quinn), Elder, D. Watt, Allum, Connelly.

SAUCHIE JUNIORS: Clark, Greenhorn, Carroll, Scott Davidson, Tully, Comrie, Docherty (sub. Sam Davidson), C. Kelly (sub. Crawford), Kavanagh (sub. Syme), Smith (sub. K. Kelly), Morgan.
Attendance: 151
SHOTS ON TARGET: Haws 13 Sauchie 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: Haws 12 Sauchie 3
CORNERS: Haws 9 Sauchie 0
YELLOW CARDS: Haws 5 Sauchie 5
RED CARDS: None