2s continue winning streak against newcomers Grove
The 2s tough start to the season continued with a trip to Dundee to meet Menzieshill at DISC. Off the back of three excellent performances that had seen them dispatch title contenders Watsonians and Grange, Hillhead faced an unknown quantity in the recent entrants to Central but produced an efficient, controlled display to maintain their 100% record.
Menzieshill started brightly with a high press, looking to pin Hillhead in their 25 and had the best of the opening 10 minutes. Composed work among the back 4 and some very hard yards in the midfield took the sting out of the hosts and, as they dropped out of their press, the 2s were able to break out and take the lead. Ian Hilton picked a terrific channel to hit Captain Phillips, who's first touch took him away from his marker and presented Colin with the chance to beat the keeper low to his left from 12 yards.
Despite Grant, Euan, Iain, Ross and Baxter ensuring the 2s were rarely in any great trouble, the visitors were having difficulty generating any rhythm and were thwarted on several occasions by some curious decisions, one of which saw debutant Mark Campbell take a 2 minute break after being denied a corner. Fully refreshed, Mark returned to work his way in to the D and slip Colin in for a first time finish. The game could have been out of sight by half time but for some poor choices in the final third, although when Hillhead did get it right, Will and Leo somehow contrived to miss from 3 yards right on the stroke of half time.
As anticipated, Grove tweaked their shape at the start of the second period but with little effect. Gooks non-stop running in midfield, allied with Lewis' composure under pressure gave Hillhead a solid base and they were able extended their lead 10 minutes in to the half as Will knocked home from close range after an exceptional run to the baseline from Leo. Things got a little feisty soon after as Jude, still reeling from a collision with the man mountain of a right back, got involved in a little altercation chasing a ball over the baseline and was invited to take a seat. Again the 2s responded brilliantly to being a man down and made it 4 while short-handed as Ebsworth lashed in to the sideboard from a tight angle. All the while Ruari's direct running was giving the Grove back line fits, and once the rest of his teammates recognise that he's not Usain Bolt, improved service and goals are bound to follow.
Despite all the hard work, the obviously talented Menzieshill side were still able to cause problems, although Lewis Crawford was a match for everything that came his way. Well, he was, until Grove found the top right from a corner to take the score to 4-1. The 2s weren't finished and were able to grab a fifth as Big Willy launched a rocket from a corner to bag a controversial hat trick. 'Controversial?' I hear you say? Well the Englishman's final minute cameo came at the expense of his more senior, talented and handsome teammate who was hooked off while also sitting on a brace. Would never have happened if I was still captain...
All in all, an outstanding performance. Grove are clearly a decent side and will be a real handful for those who travel all the way to the City of Discovery this year.
MoM - Will. Furious.