Last updated 21:42, Wednesday, 12 November 2008

LANGHOLM played their first home league match of the season on a rain-soaked Castleholm pitch.

Langholm Legion 4 Coldstream Amateurs 3

Despite the conditions, both teams served up an entertaining game with plenty of goalmouth incidents.

Legion started the brighter and when a pass back was latched onto by Anderson, his rasping drive was tipped onto the cross bar by the brave Coldstream keeper.

Rayson began to run at people and his turn of pace was clearly a problem for the visitors. Despite Legion’s start, it was Coldstream who took the lead in the 20th minute when a counter attack left the Coldstream forward the opportunity to chip the advancing Johnson.

For a few minutes Legion were unsettled but as the half wore on, they began to dominate in midfield.

Rayson took the game by the scruff of the neck and he had one 25-yard effort tipped over the bar and a back post header onto the bar.

Maxwell galloped through and had three bites of the cherry but could not convert. Frustrations were mounting.

Another Rayson first-time shot was well saved at the front post but this time the ball came to Jarzyna who showed great composure and steered a side foot pass into the corner of the net.

Dawson made a good run into the box and was upended, leaving Thomlinson to convert from the penalty.

It was well into injury time when some close-range shooting saw the Coldstream defence produce all sorts of blocks before the ball bounced up to the far post where Irving was lurking and he made no mistake with a powerful header.

Half time and the visitors looked as if they had run out of puff.

But at the start of the second half the pendulum changed in favour of Coldstream. Langholm were guilty of conceding too many free kicks in their own half.

This played into the hands of Coldstream’s superior height advantage as time after time they loaded the box.

After one such set-piece and a backpost header, Legion’s lead had been reduced to one goal.

More confusion in Legion’s penalty area and Anderson was ruled to have handled the ball. From the resultant penalty Johnson made an outstanding save.

Legion were living dangerously and the heavy pitch was taking its toll, with four Legion players suffering from cramp.

Johnson B succumbed to the conditions, leaving David Steel to make his debut. His willingness to hold the ball and run the line were very welcome for the home side.

A good Jarzyna corner found Thomlinson unmarked at the far post and he stabbed the ball home. Once again Legion put pressure on themselves by conceding a free kick from a wide position. The ball found the Coldstream forward who shielded well before being upended. Another penalty, another goal.

With three minutes left, Legion had the easiest opportunity to score when Rayson broke down the right and had the presence of mind to cross to the unmarked Anderson. But the centre forward elected to strike the ball high over the bar.

Legion hung on to a well-earned three points.

At times, the defending had been desperate but, nonetheless, the spirit of the team was clear to see.

Team: D Johnson, B Johnson, M Thomlinson, B Henderson, L Irving, B Rayson, B Maxwell, M Dawson, S Jarzyna, R Anderson, A Keir, D Steel, D Simmons. Man of the match: B Rayson

This Saturday Legion are away to Upper Annandale in the second round of the South Cup. Kick-off is 1.30pm.