The Blue & White Hoops started the season with a comfortable win against a spirited Gentanar outfit at IMP. The teams met at Woodside in last season’s opener with the hoops winning 5-1, and we were to go one better this time round. In truth it could and should have been more, but credit to the visitors for sticking to their task and never resorting to turning it into a kicking match at any point.
The match got off to a fairly slow start, new signing from Keith Wayne Barron having the first chance on the quarter hour but his shot from15 yards was well saved by Glens keeper Cooper…..one of many good stops he would make during the course of the afternoon. Tom Hutch saw a deflected shot held by Cooper but the visitors showed they could be a threat on the break when Watson found himself through on Kyle but the young keeper did well to block. With the home side enjoying the lion’s share of possession we needed to show more of a cutting edge and two goals in a minute got things going. Firstly a free kick was awarded 25 yards out and another new signing David BAILLIE fairly slammed the set piece into Coopers left hand corner of the onion bag leaving him with no chance. Straight from kick off the ball was won back and a couple of one-two’s saw Barron and LEITHO combine well to set up the latter to slot home from 12 yards. It should have been three a minute later but a breakdown in communication meant we didn’t even get a shot on goal away. Baillie saw a great turn and shot well parried by Cooper, with the custodian also blocking Gaz’s header from the resultant corner with his feet and the lead at the break remained at two.

Into the second period and Baillie had another go from 18 yards but Cooper held the ball just under the bar, but 7 minutes in and number three arrived. It was a simple goal with a free kick from Leitho finding GAZ at the far post and headed downwards and in at the post. Two minutes later though Glens gave themselves a glimmer of hope with an equally simple counter. A free kick on the right was swung in and HENDERSON had the freedom of the box to head past Kyle. Barron headed over as the hoops attacked again then Baillie’s shot was tipped over. From the corner there was a scramble with the ball falling to Mark B and his shot smacked down off the underside of the bar and was cleared. Gaz saw a header cleared off the line and at the other end Kyle was called in to action to save well from Wood. With 68 minutes played the three goal cushion was restored, a quick free kick was played wide to Muttley and his cross was volleyed in by MARK B. Five minutes later Mark won the ball at the edge of the box and the ball fell to BAILLIE and his low 20 yarder found the bottom corner for number five. Kyle made another smart block from a Glens breakaway before the mother of all stramashes in the Glens box saw numerous attempts all blocked by either Cooper or one of his defenders. Goal number six did arrive though with a couple of minutes to go when a neat ball down the right found Steven B and his low cut back was flicked home by BAILLIE to complete his treble and round off the scoring.