Glasgow Dee’s in “We’ve Scored!!!!” Shocker

DSA 5-a-side Tournament Saturday 18^th February 2006

The Glasgow Dee’s Supporters Club entered a team into the annual Dundee Supporters Association 5-a-side tournament on Saturday, and their performance surpassed all expectations.

This was the third time the club has entered a team in the tournament, and spurred on DSA Chairman Paul Murphy’s comments of “I’m expecting you to go out in the first round”, the team produced a number of superb team displays before harshly being eliminated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Lochee Dark Blues.

Drawn in the first group alongside Ferrari’s 1, Doc Azurri’s, and the Strath Bar, it was a tough task ahead of the team, but despite this the seven players and manager Smith arrived at Douglas Sports Centre full of confidence.

In case you didn’t know, the team was as follows: Neil, Euan, Stuart, Robbo, Deeko, Kaz, Jim

Glasgow Dee’s 5-a-side team 2006:

Stuart ‘Stu’ Peters, Steven ‘Robbo’ Robertson, Euan ‘Euan’ Sinclair, Jim ‘Ravanelli’ Dickson

Kaz ‘Kaz’ Keir, Neil ‘The Cat’ Sinclair, Derek ‘Deeko’ Keir

Manager – Graham ‘The Gaffer’ Smith

The first game for the guys was the third game of the tournament. Having just watched their first opponents – Doc Azzuri’s - beat Ferrari’s 1, it was obvious a win would be a very tough task. However, the team went on to earn a credible 0-0 draw with a very well organised display. Although most of play centred around their own goalmouth, Glasgow had chances to win the game. But even so a draw and a clean sheet in the first game was a very credible outcome.

Glasgow stayed on the pitch straight after the match to play game two against Strath Bar. The Strath boys had previously drawn 0-0 with Ferrari’s 1 in the opening game of the tournament. Again there wasn’t a great amount of excitement to be had for the watching spectators as the 2 teams served up another 0-0 draw. However, another clean sheet for the boys meant that although they’d yet to score, they’d also yet to concede, and had picked up 2 points from their first 2 games.

Manager Graham Smith seemed reasonably pleased with the player’s efforts, as they came off for a well-deserved rest.

The team watched on as Doc’s beat Strath 2-1 in the penultimate game of Group 1, meaning that Glasgow knew that if they could beat Ferrari’s 1 in their final group game that they’d qualify for the latter stages.

The boys went out with loads of confidence, and on this occasion their superb defence was complimented with a hat-trick from Deeko, as Glasgow cantered to a 3-0 win. A cool lob started off the scoring, and he completed his hat-trick with two well-taken efforts from outside the box.

Considering Glasgow had failed to score a goal the previous year, and had never before progressed past the first stages, this was a landmark achievement for the club.

The team had a two-hour wait ‘til the latter stages were to begin, and we all had our own way of passing this time. Neil went into the gym for a ride on the exercise bike, Euan, Stuart, and Jim spent some time stretching their muscles and generally staying fit for the tests ahead, while Robbo went home to watch the Liverpool-Man Utd, and Deeko and Kaz disappeared (to the pub I think!!). But nobody went anywhere until after the plate of sandwiches kindly provided by the DSA was polished off (honestly – we were all very professional!!).

Three o’clock came and thoughts were elsewhere as Syd seemed to be texting Gaffer Smith every two minutes with score updates from Broadwood (should it not have been the other way around??). Anyway, our historic Quarter-final appearance was on the horizon, as the final group matches were finished off.

Glasgow were drawn against Blairgowrie in the second Quarter-final, and having seen all the other teams in the tournament fancied their chances of progressing even further. And there were chances in a very open game, but despite their best efforts Glasgow couldn’t find the net.

However, once again, Glasgow’s defence stood firm under pressure, and the game ended 0-0, and so onto penalties. Only players on the pitch at the end of the game could take penalties, and the 3 nominated takers were Deeko, Robbo, and Jim, although Euan and Neil knew it was a distinct possibility that they would be called upon at some point.

Following a quick team discussion a coin was tossed and Deeko lost (not a good start!!!! ), meaning that Blair took the first pen. Any advantage from this was lost however, as Neil dived low to his right to palm the first effort away. First up for Glasgow was Deeko, and his low effort was also saved. Blair’s second pen was blocked by the legs of Neil, but Robbo failed to take advantage as he also saw his pen saved.

There was a lot of pressure on the pitch as the tie went down to the final penalty, unsure how Gaffer Smith was feeling as he looked on from the sidelines with substitutes Stuart and Kaz. First up was Blair’s third pen, which was duly fired past the right hand post. It was down to Jim, and following some last second advice from Smith (apparently he was telling Jim to lift his shot, and wasn’t juggling his breasts!!!), Ravanelli fired Glasgow into the semi’s with a cracking penalty into the roof of the net.

Semi finals here we come, and with 4 games and a penalty shoot out played the team had still not conceded a goal – a fantastic achievement for the whole team. The team could now relax and watch the remaining Quarter-finals, in which the favourites for the tournament – Ferrari’s 2 – were unfortunately eliminated on penalties (much to the delight of Neil!!!).

This meant that the tournament was blown wide open as the guys prepared for the second semi-final v Lochee Dark Blues. Doc’s won the first semi, meaning the team went out knowing that if they could make the final, they would be playing a team that they had already matched earlier in the day.

The game started well, with Glasgow taking the lead early on. Deeko dribbling down the left before rolling the ball to Jim who side-footed calmly into the top corner. Things were looking good for the team at this point, and the Gaffer continued to make changes throughout the game as the team pushed for a 2^nd goal to put the tie beyond Lochee.

Lochee fought back though and Glasgow eventually conceded a goal as a shot flew into the top of the net from the right. There was some determined defending and goalkeeping as both sides pushed for a winner. Just as it seemed there would have to be another shoot out to decide the finalists, Lochee struck with a similar goal to their first.

Everyone pushed forward in an attempt to salvage the tie, but despite a number of half chances, it wasn’t to be.

The Glasgow Dee’s bowed out, but were not disgraced. Their conquerors – Lochee – went onto to win the final 2-1 against Doc Azzuri’s. It was a great team effort from all 7 Glasgow players, superbly managed by Graham Smith.

Many thanks must go to (in no particular order):

The DSA for a well-organised day

Glenrothes Albion for the strips

All the other teams without whom there would’ve been no tournament

The ‘keeper for Ferrari’s 1 who walked into the goalpost

And last but not least the Glasgow Dee’s and Graham ‘The Gaffer’ Smith

It might be unfair of me to write individual player ratings seeing as I was a member of the team, but what the hell!!!

Neil Sinclair – Had some good saves throughout the tournament and in the vital penalty shoot out in the quarter-final. A total of four clean sheets out of five games.

Euan Sinclair – Overshadowed by his more talented younger brother, Euan was a vital member of the side. Was the defensive lynchpin and his many blocks and tackles saved the team on a number of occasions.

Stuart Peters – More than played his part in the team. Set up a number of attacks with precise passing and was unlucky not to get a goal himself.

Jim Dickson – ‘Ravanelli’ was strong in the tackle and deadly up front. Scored the winning penalty in the quarter-final and opened the scoring in the semi-final.

Steven Robertson – Put in a great amount of effort throughout the whole tournament. Was generally used as a target man, but was frequently seen putting in a shift at the back.

Kaz Keir – Another one who ran his socks off. Strong in the tackle and teamed up well with his brother up front.

Derek Keir – Deeko was the only person in the tournament to score a hat-trick. Was composed up front and took his goals really well under pressure.

Graham Smith – ‘The Gaffer’ was the tactical genius behind the team. From his substitutions, penalty advice, and general encouragement the team wouldn’t have made it as far without him.

Glasgow Dee’s Results

Group Stages: Glasgow 0 Doc Azzuri’s 0

Glasgow 0 Strath Bar 0

Ferrari’s 1 0 Glasgow 3 (D. Keir 3)

Quarter Final: Blairgowrie 0 Glasgow 0

Glasgow win 1-0 on pens

Semi Final: Glasgow 1 (Dickson) Lochee 2