Lochee United

[UnofficialLUFC]

Brief highlights from the match on Saturday where Lochee United entertained Formartine United.

 

[Marten]

Friendly announced for Wednesday night: Hill of Beath Hawthorn away. That and Brora on Saturday should both be great tests.

[UnofficialLUFC]

The Chee draw in the SJFA Cup

 

[Black Pennel]

The fictional Phil Mitchell & Danny Dyer doing the draw ?

[Marten]

Good game tonight, I wrote another match report. 

 

HILL OF BEATH HAWTHORN 3-5 LOCHEE UNITED 

Lochee United went to Fife for our fourth pre-season friendly, and our first away one, where we faced Hill of Beath Hawthorn. The hosts are familiar opponents from the old East Superleague but now play in the East of Scotland League Premier division, in which they finished 7th last season. 

Lochee United started strong, the first real chance was when a good action from Paterson was followed by a shot from Joyce which went just over. Shortly after, Danny Cavanagh opened the score with a well-placed shot after a great assist by Paul Scobie. Then a Haws player put the ball in his own net after a well-taken corner kick by Ryan Paterson. After 18 minutes, Ryan Paterson picked up the ball after a poor clearance by their goalkeeper and scored Lochee's third with a great distance shot. The hosts started trying to get back into the game, but other than an attempt after a corner that went just over they didn't get close to scoring. Danny Cavanagh picked up the ball after a good pass from George Johnston but the referee judged it to be offside. Another own goal after a good ball by Paterson put the 'Chee 4-0 ahead after 28 minutes. Immediately after, Paterson played the ball to Danny who put George Johnston in a position to score the fifth goal. Shortly after that, Hill of Beath did something back with a goal from a corner. Danny just shot over after a good pass by George Johnston. A second goal by the hosts followed shortly after, a good assist resulted in a header that left Dean Easton no chance. Lochee United kept pushing though, especially through Ryan Paterson. A great kick from Dean Easton but him in a good position to score but the ball went just wide. Moments later, it was Paterson who set Cavanagh up, but the goalkeeper did well to save it. Shortly before HT he did hit the back of the net, but the referee disallowed it for offside. Directly after, George Johnston also had a goal disallowed for offside. Paul Scobie was also close to scoring but a good distance shot was well saved. An eventful first half resulted in a 5-2 lead to the 'Chee. 

The second half started with a few chances both ends, with neither side coming really close to scoring. Both sides made quite a few subs as usual in friendlies. After such an eventful first half, the second half was never going to be the same. Both sides attacked a fair bit but it didn't result in many chances. With 15 minutes left, Jamie McCabe, who came on at HT, did well to save a distance shot. The hosts did score from a corner to make it 5-3 with 11 minutes left. There were some chances late on but nobody got really close to scoring. The game finished 5-3, it could have been more, especially in the first half. But the hosts put on a much stronger performance in the second half. Overall, another good test for the 'Chee and another good performance. Paul Scobie played well in the build-up and got a good assist. George Johnston was often dangerous and got a good goal. Danny Cavanagh and Ryan Paterson played well together, both often got dangerous and created plenty of chances. It's a difficult choice between them for man of the match, but Ryan Paterson edged it as he played a part in most goals and was dangerous all game. Good luck to Hill of Beath Hawthorn for the season ahead, they have been excellent hosts. 

Our next game is at home against Highland League side Brora Rangers on Saturday with a 1pm kick-off. As always: COME ON THE 'CHEE!

[Marten]

A great game today for us. I wrote another match report for our Facebook page. 

LOCHEE UNITED 2-2 BRORA RANGERS

For our fourth pre-season friendly, we were hosting Highland League side Brora Rangers who finished 6th last season. In previous games they narrowly lost against Ross County (2-1) and beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1, so Lochee United knew they were in for a tough test. Lochee United started well. A great freekick by Callum Moore was just saved, shortly after Kerr Hay had a good chance from a corner. The visitors took the lead though a penalty for a handball. Lochee United immediately tried to get back on level terms. A ball from Kerr Hay just didn't find Paul Scobie.  Trigger had a distance shot about 28 minutes in but the goalkeeper saved. Brora Rangers started getting more into the game and scored their second 5 minutes before HT after a good attack. The first half Lochee United were decent but Brora took their chances and showed their qualities on the break so they deserved their lead. 

Lochee United started the second half strong. Five minutes in, a handball gave us a free-kick which was very well taken and converted by Ryan Paterson. Lochee United tried to push straight on for an equaliser and got a few chances. A foul on 
Ryan Paterson resulted in a penalty, which was converted by Kerr Hay meaning the 'Chee were back on level terms. Ryan Paterson had a shot blocked with 15 minutes left as both sides were looking for a winner. Brora had two shouts for a penalty but the referee disagreed. Brora had a big chance to win it late on, but their player hit the side netting. Shortly after that, Bobby Linn had a late chance to win it, but the Brora goalkeeper did well to save. The game finished 2-2, which was probably a fair reflection of the game as the teams were evenly matched over all 90 minutes with Brora edging the first half and Lochee the second. Several players played well. Scott Webster was once again solid at the back and played his part in the build-up. Ewan Murray, Bobby Linn, Callum Moore, Paul Scobie and Ryan Paterson all put in a good shift and worked hard. But my man of the match is Kerr Hay who worked hard, created many chances and scored a good penalty. 

Good luck to our visitors in their upcoming Highland League season and thanks for coming down. But as always, COME ON THE 'CHEE.

[Marten]

Great start to the season. Our usual match reporter is back from holiday so I could just enjoy the match without having to constantly take notes! Match report below. 

 

CARNOUSTIE PANMURE 0-4 LOCHEE UNITED

Match report from Ross McGowan

The European Championships this summer may have provided a stop-gap for local football fans but in truth we have all had our eyes on Lochee United’s opening game of the season away to Carnoustie. Lochee have been ever-presents in the top four since the Midlands League’s inauguration in 2021 but went into the new campaign determined to stake a claim for the title.

Buoyed by both the capture of the Quest Cup in May and an encouraging set of pre-season results, Dougie Cameron’s men travelled to Laing Park this afternoon in confident mood and eager to get off to a strong start.

It was the hosts who were out of the blocks quickest though when a mixup in the Lochee defence presented Carnoustie with an opening but Jamie McCabe made an assured stop in the Lochee goal. 

Moments later there was more cause for concern as a coming together in the Lochee box resulted in the referee having to wave away strident penalty claims from the home side.

But Lochee soon got their foot on the ball and began to play and with ten minutes gone they forced themselves in front. A slick counter-attack through the middle saw Bobby Linn graft for a corner down the right, and when Ryan Paterson headed Callum Moore’s inswinging delivery off the post Kerr Hay was in the right place at the right time to stab home the rebound and put Lochee 1-0 up.

With Carnoustie briefly stunned, Lochee capitalised and quickly doubled their lead when a fabulous 40 yard crossfield ball from Callum Moore opened up the defence for Bobby Linn to steady himself with his first touch before rifling low and hard across the keeper and take the score to 2-0.

Callum Moore was looking right in the mood in the Lochee midfield as he disguised a clever reverse ball into the path of Kerr Hay but last season’s top scorer had his shot well saved by Clarkson in the Carnoustie goal.

But whilst Carnoustie were down they were certainly not out and they continued to test the Lochee back line with high balls over the top with Ben Christie latching on to one and forcing an alert fingertip save from McCabe.

Pat Smith then got on the end of a Carnoustie corner from the left but had to adjust his positioning late and headed over the bar.

That was as good as it got for the hosts though as Lochee began to rally again towards the end of the first half and the late pressure was converted into a well-worked third goal. Bobby Linn found space down the right and fed inside for Callum Moore to lay a delicate ball into the path of the onrushing Louis Joyce who showed terrific technique and composure to take a touch at high speed before finishing low from ten yards out.

3-0 at half-time and although Lochee took ten minutes to find their feet in the opening period they settled well into the game and played the better football in the first 45.

When the teams emerged for the second half it was once again Carnoustie who started the livelier as Pat Smith burst through the inside left channel and dug out a powerful shot that stung McCabe’s palms in the Lochee goal.

But just as we saw in the first half, Lochee soon began to stamp their authority on the game and with 55 minutes gone they killed the contest with a fourth goal. Yet again Callum Moore was instrumental showing dogged determination and strength to hold off two opponents in the centre circle before weighting a perfect through ball for Kerr Hay to chase. Hay was bundled over in the box at the expense of a penalty, and although his spot-kick was well saved by Clarkson the rebound was tucked away by George Johnston to put Lochee 4-0 up.

Lochee continued to boss the game with a Ryan Paterson whipped free-kick saved at the near post, and substitute Danny Cavanagh latching on to a long ball before rounding the keeper but finding his shot blocked by Murray Soutar with the angle closing al the time.

There was a late push for more goals with Bobby Linn shooting narrowly over the bar and Kerr Hay forcing a good save from a difficult angle but in the end Lochee had to settle for four at the full time whistle.

This was a tricky opening fixture for Lochee today but they turned in an impressive display dominating possession and showing a ruthless streak in the final third to run out comfortable winners.

Jamie McCabe produced a solid debut in goal that will certainly transmit confidence throughout the team. However there was only one candidate for man of the match today - Callum Moore was involved in all four of Lochee’s goals and looked the complete midfield package. Combative off the ball, dynamic in possession, and showcasing a fabulous range of passing, he was quite simply head and shoulders above anybody else on the park today and well deserving of the award.

Next up is another tricky fixture away to Downfield next Saturday.

As always - COME ON THE CHEE!!!