Caledonian Braves vs Cumbernauld Colts

Scott Forrester was the hero as Braves secured a last gasp victory in a feisty Lanarkshire derby against Cumbernauld Colts.

This was a game Ricky Waddell had pinpointed as being pivotal to pick up three points in given the gap to the chasing pack at the top of the table, and the team delivered in typically dramatic fashion.

The Braves looked comfortable in the opening five minutes and started on the front foot, pressurising the Colts defence. Jamie Walker’s cross from the left flank forced ‘keeper Adamson to punch away, however, Braves’ intensity would not break the deadlock.

Dylan Tennant opened the scoring for Cumbernauld Colts, after receiving inside the box and turning to fire beyond Chris Henry. Following this, the Braves attacked Colts’ defence more directly, as Luke Main’s effort from inside the box would be claimed by Adamson at a tight angle.

Braves could not find the first half equaliser though and Ricky Waddell’s men headed in at half-time down by a solitary goal, after what had been a tight opening half.

It had been a highly competitive affair so far with plenty of infringements, Guthrie, Lindsay and Craig all picking up bookings for Braves.

The first clear cut chance of the second period came around the hour mark as Marc Kelly delivered a free kick inside Colts’ box which found Jack Duncan, however, his effort glanced narrowly wide of the near post.

It was Kelly who turned creator again, as his lay-off into the path of Luke Main saw the latter fire over the bar. Ross McNeil arrived for Jamie Watson in Ricky’s second change of the game, as he looked to reinvigorate the attack.

McNeil’s arrival proved to be a game-changer, as he received a visionary pass from Jamie Walker, and finished beyond ‘keeper Adamson to level the scoring.

As the game headed into its’ final 15 minutes, the Braves pressed relentlessly in the hopes of scoring a late winner. John Guthrie’s pass found Ross McNeil, who curled an effort wide. Marc Kelly forced Adamson into a save from close-range and would have a crucial role in Braves’ winner. 

With many teams the game would have petered out and two points consequently dropped but as we know by now, this Braves team is different and never stops.

We kept pushing for that all important winner, earning a corner with a minute of regular time left. Marc Kelly’s resulting pinpoint cross found Scott Forrester at the back post to head home and sparked elation among the Alliance Park faithful.

This was the second time this season Forrester has turned one point into three at the death, having scored a last gasp header to secure a 2-3 win away to Dalbeattie Star in early August. Another telling contribution from the centre back who has had an excellent season thus far.

That goal extended our winning streak to three games and we can begin to look up the table to potentially catching the chasing pack just above us in the Lowland League.