BACK at Ness again and to begin with it was the same old story as Back contrived to miss chance after chance with Michael Mackay, Chris Adams and Martin Maclean wasting opportunities to put Back ahead although they would all soon make amends. Then, as the Monday before, Ness decided to go one up as they cut through the Back defence (think hot knife and butter) and Craig Harris found the time and space to ease his shot into the far left corner away from the returning Tohan in the Back goa
Back retaliated immediately but again wasted their efforts with both Euan Moley and Martin Maclean blazing their shots over the bar. Although playing into a strong wind Back managed to keep to their passing game and in the 25th minute Michael Mackay
played a neat one-two with Euan Moley and curled a corker into the top right hand corner. Within five minutes Back were ahead when a bye-kick from Tohan was headed on by Euan and Chris Adams raced through on goal and clipped it round the keeper from the edge of the box.
Back were dominating play and it was no surprise when Martin Maclean made it three after shooting through a crowded penalty area. With only five minutes left in the half Chris Adams collected his first hat-trick with two typical poacher goals as he found himself in the right place at the right time. The last being set up by Michael Mackay who was having an outstanding game. His wing play may have been a joy to watch but also a nightmare to defend against.
Back refused to let up in the second half and David Maclean finished off some fine build up play with a nice diving header beyond the young Ness keeper who, earlier in the game, pulled off a brilliant double save from Michael Mackay. He then produced the save of the day when he spectacularly turned a net-bound Michael Mackay shot around the post. Unfortunately for him it wasn't long before Michael got another chance and this time chipped him easily for Back's seventh goal of the night.
The match then went through a lull as Back seemed content with their haul and Ness struggled to make any headway into the Back half.
Then on 70 minutes Chris Adams burst through on the right and saw his delicate chip sail over the keeper for number eight. It took another fifteen minutes for Chris to complete his double hat-trick when his pace was too much for the Ness defence and he dispatched goal number nine with ease. Back completed the scoring through substitute Inny Red who had an impressive 45 minutes on his comeback after a rib injury.
Ness played right to the end and should have seen some reward for their endeavours when a 20 yard shot looped over Tohan's head but it hit the bar then post thus proving that luck was never going to be on their side tonight.
