Uppers make it 2 in a row
Upper Annandale picked up the McQueen Trophies Tayleurian Cup at the David Keswick Centre on
Friday night when they defeated Lochmaben with the only goal of the game. This makes it two out of
two for the season for Uppers.
The Moffat side took the game to Lochmaben from the start and played with an intesity that meant
that the Burgh side could not get anything going at all and even though the game was more even in
the latter stages Uppers were still first in on most challenges. The only goal of the game came in the
15th minute when Neil Roddick fired home from 8 yards out giving keeper Craig Scobie no chance
The goal was created after some good work out wide by Michael Swan saw him play in Nikki Frame
who then put in an excellent ball to Roddick who made no mistake.
This was a match where most of the action came in the first half and Scobie had to be at his best
pulling off two excellent saves to prevent Uppers from increasing their lead. The first from a Michael
Swan shot, the second from a Nikki Frame header. Neil Roddick also had a great chance to increase
the scoreline but he fired high and wide after a great run and dribble. Lochmaben only really got into
the game in the latter stages of the half but the Uppers defence was well organised as usual and there
were very few openings to speak of. Long throws from Gavin Smith looked to be the only way to open
Uppers up but the half ended with the Moffat goal intact .
The second half was more even but Uppers maintained their intensity and as a result Lochmaben
struggled to make an impact in the final third. Some late pressure did mean that Lochmaben had a
couple of half chances to equalise but they only created one decent opening which came when Alan
Maxwell was free at the back post but his dangerous ball across the face of the Uppers goal had no
takers.
In the end Uppers were deserved winners and they looked have regained their early season form
which bodes well for the remainder of the season. The two clubs are scheduled to meet again in the
Nivison cup in a few weeks what should be another tight match. After the match the cup was awarded
to Uppers captain Ross Dawson and the man of the match award deservedly went to young fullback
Nick Fitzpatrick. The league would like to thank the match officials and the staff at the Keswick Centre
as well as the cup sponsor McQueen’s Trophies.