Spoils Shared | 20/03/10
The Amateurs drew 1-1 with Langholm, in what was a must win game for both sides. In the first half neither side worked the keeper hard and chances were at a premium, with the best falling to Patterson who prodded a shot over the bar after a mazy run. In the second half Tweedmouth continued to press and managed to find a breakthough thanks to Patterson, who swiveled on the edge of the box and slotted the ball in the corner. This goal was coming as the Ams upped the pressure. The equaliser came against the run of play when Aitchisons attempted clearance ricoched off the face of a Langholm player and straight into the path of their striker, who made no mistake and the sides were level. This bad luck was the last thing the Amateurs needed at this late stage in the season, but they must continue to gather points to have any chance of promotion.
Back on track | 13/03/10
The Amateurs claimed three points at home, defeating Ancrum 3-1 to help put the cup final misery behind them. The Amateurs were injury hit and weary from 120 minutes of football last weekend. This perhaps caused an early Ancrum goal after a mix up in midfield leg to Hall being exposed. The Ams were soon level after Clark finished smartly from the edge of the box. Tweedmouth were poor for large periods for the rest of the half as they struggled to deal with the long ball game employed by Ancrum. In the second half they came out with increased impetus and penned Ancrum back for much of the half, with the breakthrough coming from Colhouqn's head after a bad piece of goalkeeping allowed the ball to slip into the net. The points were wrapped up by Patterson after a slick passing move involving Clark, Tait and Aitchison. The Amateurs moved back to the top of the league and must continue to keep focused on each league game, starting with a crucial fixture against Langholm next week.
Cup Final Heartache | 06/03/10
The Amateurs took on Gordon in their biggest game in recent years, the Wright Cup Final. The Amateurs started fast with Colhouqn putting them ahead after an incisive Robertson cross. Despite this good start both teams were sloppy and the quality wasn't as high as both sides were capable of. More chances followed for Patterson, Tait and Robertson before the interval, but the second wouldn't come. Gordon piled on some pressure and were awarded a penalty for a hand ball by Bain. The penalty was converted and the sides were level at 1-1 at half time. The Ams came out in the second half knowing they had to play quicker and with more application. Following a good move, Patterson claimed the second, after turning smartly on the edge of the Gordon box. A string of chances were then squandared before Patterson scored again following a hopeful Moor pass. With 15 or so minutes to go the Amateurs took their foot off the gas thinking the game was won. Gordon scored twice to bring the scoreline level at full time. In extra time the Amateurs fell behind for the first time in the afternoon after Gordon converted 5 minutes into extra time. A fifth soon followed, from a volley which the otherwise excellent Paulson perhaps should've saved. At 5-3 down with weary legs Tweedmouth had little left and 2 more goals followed for Gordon handing them a scoreline that was harsh on Tweedmouth. The Amateurs can hold their heads high that they were very close to winning the cup, and must learn lessons about sitting back in such situations. The Colts were beaten 3-2 at the Five arches against Linton Hotspur.
3 Vital points | 20/02/10
The Amateurs claimed a vital three points with a 2-0 victory in a scrappy affair at the Five arches against Coldstream. An early Patterson goal put the amateurs ahead, but they failed to capitilise on a string of chances that followed to make the scoreline comfortable. The second goal came from Patterson with minutes to spare but Tweedmouth can count themselves fortunate not to have conceded after some shaky defending led to the ball striking the Amateurs crossbar.
Mixed fortunes | 13/02/10
The Amateurs came crashing back down to earth with a 1-0 defeat against Tweedale after a good run of recent form. The Amateurs hadn't played in 9 weeks and it showed, with rustiness in the first 20 minutes proving a decisive factor. Tweedale took the lead through a slotted finish from the edge of the box, after Tait lost the ball on the half way line, summing up his woeful performance. In the second half the Amateurs rallied but serious chances were few and far between, with the best of the opportunities falling to Patterson and Clark. This result was very hard to take for the Amateurs, particulary for Clark and Paulson who had fine displays. They must get on the right track again soon, starting at home to Coldstream this Saturday. The Colts won 2-1 thanks to 2 goals from Lee (Le Dode) Dodd.
Eleventh Heaven | 05/12/09
Magnificent number seven Patterson pitched in with seven goals as Tweedmouth picked up another three points with an 11-0 win against Kelso. In the opening twenty minutes Tweedmouth and Kelso exchanged possession with Kelso having two very good chances to score. Midfielders Clark, Bain and skipper Aitchison began to get a foot hold and the breakthrough soon came, after a slick move involving Drummond, Clark and Patterson. Despite Aitchison moving away gingerly after a bad tackle, he found himself in ther box to score the opening goal for the Amateurs. This fired up the Amateurs and a second soon followed, from Patterson after a determined run and pass from Clark. The third and fourth followed before half time, again from the boots of Aitchison and Patterson. Tweedmouth had scored four but manager Clark still wanted more, at the interval. In the second half, Kelso limited Tweedmouth to speculative efforts until the last 20 minutes, when goals from Patterson, Clark and Colhouqn stretched the Amateurs lead. Even though the Amateurs didn't play their best football, they scored double figures and kept another clean sheet, which is an encouraging trend the side will like to continue. The Colts won for the second week running, with a 4-3 win against Peebles, courtesy of a hatrick from Reid and one from Blackhall.
Another clean sheet | 28/11/09
The Amateurs claimed another three points, after a 2-0 victory at home to Jedburgh. Both sides had to deal with a heavy pitch but the Amateurs coped better, playing some sexy football in the first half. The breakthrough didn't come until the 65 minute mark, when Patterson latched onto a long ball and finished clinically. Jedburgh then pinned the Amateurs back in their own half for the rest of the second half, but some good defending and solid goalkeeping kept the clean sheet intact. The goal which clinched the game came in the last few minutes from substitute Powling, who found the net with his left foot after a smart pass from Robertson and persistance from Patterson. This win moved the Amateurs top of the league, but if they are to remain near the top they must keep up current form. The Colts gained a morale boosting win by defeating Lauder 3-2, with goals coming from Henderson, Reid and Colhouqn.
Crucial 3 points | 14/11/09
The Amateurs gained another hard earned three points away from home against Winton, via a 3-0 victory. Winton applied earlier pressure on the Amateurs goal, and on three occassions could have taken the lead. This was the warning the Amateurs needed, and they came out in the second half with improved impetus. The break-through came when Tait found the net from the edge of the box after a cleared corner. A second soon followed, from the boots of Patterson, after good work from Colhouqn. The third came from an Aitchison corner, which was diverted into the net by an unfortunate Winton defender. Overall, the Amateurs can be happy with another three points, in difficult conditions. The Colts lost their semi final against Earlston 3-0.
15th Time Lucky | 07/11/09
The Amateurs broke their recent bad run of losing semi-finals by defeating Tweedale 1-0 at the Five Arches. In the first half the game was quite even, with clear chances kept to a minimum. However, in the second half, the game opened up as Tweedmouth's superior fitness began to make the difference. The first big chance fell to Patterson, who poked his shot against the post, after a flowing move involving Robertson, Clark and Tait. This gave the Amateurs encouragement, and they continued to push for a winner. Goal machine Patterson then hit the woodwork again, when a through ball led to his shot being tipped onto the bar by the Tweedale keeper. Tweedmouth were beginning to wonder if the semi-final jinx was going to strike again. However, Tweedmouth carried on with their football, and the winner came with a few minutes remaining. A clipped Tait through ball led to Patterson shooting once more at goal, the keeper parried the effort and Colhouqn finished into the roof of the net. The effort and persistance shown by Tweedmouth had been rewarded, and the side can look forward to a Cup Final. The Colts unfortunately lost 4-2 against Earlston.
