Second Half Tsunami Secures Points For Logan
- Phil Davis
- Feb 26, 2017
- 3 min read
Logan FC 5 (Ebangwese 13’, 79’, Hall 32’, J.Brown 84’, Adarkwah 90’) Grange Thistle 3 (Somerville 24’, Smits 28’, Hornby 90+1) HT 2-2
Played at Chris Green Park.
Logan FC secured their first win of the 2017 season. despite being behind after half an hour, with three goals in a dominant second half on the way to a 5-3 victory at Chris Green Park. Lightning took the lead in the 13th minute when Ngwese Ebangwese headed home an excellent Jackson Hall cross in from the left hand side but two quick fire goals from Stuart Somerville and the evergreen Tim Smits gave the advantage to the visitors. In the 32nd minute Jackson Hall scored what was to be the first of four in a row for his team with a rasping shot which skipped through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner. Logan Coach Nick Croyden introduced super-sub Michael Adarkwah into the contest which made an immediate impact as he was involved in goals for himself, Jed Brown and Ebangwese. Matt Hornby pushed forward late in the game and nodded home a trademark towering header but it was too little, too late for Thistle. Any doubts surrounding the fitness of Smits were dispelled with a dominating first half performance which brought back memories of his halcyon days at Rochedale Rovers. His attacking combination with Somerville and Ryan Adamson will take Grange a long way this season. If they could have converted another one of their excellent chances it could have made a big impact on the game and allowed to change things around tactically. But the second half was a different story as a fitter Logan outfit eventually overwhelmed the visitors and could have won by an even bigger margin. There are plenty of new names in the 2017 squad who will attract more attention as the season rolls on including talented centre-back Joseph Censoni. It was a deserved victory in the final wash-up but Thistle also proved they have more than enough talent to collect their share of points along the way.
Coaches Reactions:
Nick Croyden - Logan FC: “I thought we were the better side but Tim Smits is a massive pick up for them and he caused us difficulties. At halftime I told the boys we hadn’t been great but we knew they were tired and we ran over them in the second half. We got a win at home and we have key players fit and back on the park. No excuses for us and I’m excited for the season ahead.” Jordi Macleod - Grange Thistle: “Logan really punished us in the final 15-20 minutes. Their physicality throughout the game ensured they eventually dominated. We take a couple of more chances early and it’s probably a different game. Once again the boys fought hard and credit to each and every one but that’s the way football goes. Next week is another story, we’ll go out and battle and pick up on a few things from this game.”
FB Media Player of the Match: Ngwese Ebangwese (Logan FC)
The wave of talented players with African heritage continues as the number 21 looked creative and dangerous all evening. He’ll be a handful for every defence.
Match Stats:
Overall Possession: 48% - 52%
Shots on target: 11 - 9
Shots off target: 4 - 8
Corners: 3 - 5
Free kicks: 15 - 13
Offsides: 2 - 1
Yellow cards: 0 - 1
Red cards: 0 - 0
Team line-ups
Logan FC: Shewfelt (gk), Dunker, Censoni, Saint, G.Kim, Hall, Gourley, Ebangwese, Greer, J.Brown, M.Brown.
Subs: Adarkwah, Bouchier, H.Kim, Tesoro. Grange Thistle: Carr (gk), Clayton, Hornby, Taylor, Parke, Masuda, Bimrose, Ahern, Adamson, Somerville, Smits.
Subs: Mooney, Shepherd, O’Neill, Hasegawa, Symons.
Referee: Matt Skinner
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