Last updated at 08:44, Thursday, 15 September 2011

Bowholm 1 Lauder 1 A TOUGH, gritty game ensued in difficult conditions at Canonbie last Saturday and the game ended in a draw, which was a fair result.

Bowholm started the game on fire and went 1-0 up after only three minutes. A great free kick by Chris Main found Stix Muir on the six-yard line where he bulleted his header past the keeper and into the roof of the net.

Bowholm pinned back Lauder and put them under severe pressure but credit to the visitors. They stopped Bowholm from increasing their lead with some great defending, goalkeeping and a bit of luck.

As the half wore on, the pitch became very muddy and this disrupted Bowholm’s flowing football and allowed Lauder back into the game, helping them go in only 1-0 down at half time.

The second half was an even affair. Lauder equalised on 62 minutes from a contentious penalty decision. This galvanised Bowholm and they laid siege to the Lauder goal.

Brian Mattinson went close as did Euan Stainthorp. Bowholm’s best effort of the half came from Lewis Hawes but the Lauder keeper made an unbelievable save from his powerful shot.

Once again, Lauder had weathered the storm and they became very dangerous on the break.

Only a stunning save from Rob Murray prevented Lauder from taking the lead.

The game ended with Lauder delighted with their point but Bowholm were disappointed to have let their winning start to the season come to an end.

On a dry day the Bowholm management know they would have won the game but they and the players know the winter will bring more adverse conditions and they must learn to cope if they want to challenge for honours.

Team: R Murray, C Stewart, J Pool, S Weir, S Nicholson, S Collins, C Main, S Muir, I Hall, E Stainthorp, B Mattinson, L Hawes, D Johnstone, A Paisley.

First published at 21:35, Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Published by http://www.eladvertiser.co.uk