Peebles u16s versus Beeslack Thistle

Peebles u16 had their second game of the season away to Beeslack on Wednesday.  The boys had played Beeslack just 10 days earlier in a friendly as part of the pre-season and had lost 3-2 in an entertaining game.  Wednesday's game was just as entertiaing and sadly for Peebles had the same scoreline.  However, if ever a match could be described as a game of two halves then this was surely it.  In the first-half Peebles let Beeslack dominate the game with a very poor showing and they were lucky to concede just two goals.  Only two players stood out, Will Jackson in goal made several terrific saves and Jamie Butler standing firm in defence.  Against all the odds Peebles managed to snatch a goal back with Nathan Reid deftly chipping the keeper.  Everyone was therefore surprised at half time to find the score 2-1.  The Peebles coach demanded more from the players.  The second half was a enthralling with Peebles suddenly competing for every ball and putting the Beeslack defence under pressure.  Within a few minutes of the restart the scores were level when Jack Crory moved into the box and placed a delicate chip over the advancing keeper.  Beeslack were now unsure of themselves and shaken to find themselves in a football match and not the expected walkover.  Both teams pressed with Will pulling off several outstanding saves.  As the second half came to its conclusion it was Peebles who looked the more likely winners with several shots just missing and a Ryan Bissett's drive from outside  the box clipping the top of the bar. But within the dying seconds Beeslack slipped through the resolute Peebles defence and for once Will could do nothing as the ball hit the back of the net.

A great second half performance from Peebles u16.  What might the score have been if they had turned up for the first half we will never know, but a first victory cannot be far away.  Will and Jamie B were undoubtedly the men of the match though the rest of the team deserve a lot of credit for the the performance in the second half.