Moray Primary School Select go from strength to strength

Undaunted by the loss of the captain the team arrived in Tain in the normal high spirits. The Select Vice captain was promoted to captain and played a real captains role as he commanded the midfield.

The game was played in a way unaccustomed to the Select as in the Tain area games are played in three 20 minute periods as opposed to the usual two 30 – 35 minute periods and 9 a side.

In bitterly cold conditions the game got underway and following some good early pressure, the Select rallied and took the lead through some good midfield work and a neat finish from the Select forward. From then on the first period was dominated by the Select, and it was no surprise as the lead was doubled after 12 minutes, the impressive Select midfielder firing home after the Tain defence failed to clear a Select corner. A minute before the end of the first period the hard working Select frontman popped up to knock in the Selects third and much deserved goal.

The second period was a goalless affair, the Select having two shots cleared off the line, hitting the bar with another and forcing some fine saves from the substitute Tain keeper. Tain also came close on more than one occasion forcing several corners, and a magnificent goal line clearance from the Moray stand in defender.

The superiority of the Select really shone through during the final 20 minutes. Another neat finish produced an early Moray goal which set the tone for what was to be a one sided final period. Another great corner from the little Moray winger was cleared to the edge of the box where the ball was fired past the Tain keeper to give the Moray Select a 5 – 0 advantage after 10 minutes of the third period. It wasn’t long before the Select got a sixth goal following some fine work down the left between the left back and the left midfielder.

The final goal came right on full time, it was a talking point between the team, The ball was hammered goalwards and as it was crossing the line another Moray player got a touch on it. Both players are claiming the goal and only they know who actually scored it, the debate continuing all the way back to Elgin.

After the match the lads were treated to some wonderful hospitality by their hosts who invited the Moray lads back to a local hotel. Here they provided the lads with Pizza, Sandwiches and, very much needed, hot soup along with all the cola and lemonade the lads could wish for. The hospitality will be returned when the Tain team visit Moray for a rematch.