Mystery Jets – Glasgow, Queen Margaret Union, 25/10/08

n a small venue such as Glasgow’s QMU, a band with a devoted following, the Mystery Jets were a joy to behold. With support that wasn’t the most impressive and an ultra long wait between acts, a wave of relief washed over the crowd like a tsunami when Harrison and co entered the stage.

In what was a reasonably short set, the fans were kept well and truly engrossed as the band weaved through a collection of their better-known tunes. Recent chart hits “Two doors down” and “Young Love” were particular highlights. These were seamlessly interwoven with Mystery Jet staples such as “You can’t fool me Dennis” and “The boy who ran away.”

Blaine and his silver sequined t-shirt entranced an appreciative crowd. Keeping an energy throughout, he is quite the showman, but with an effeminate edge that keeps the fans in a hypnotic state and hanging on each and every word. With his obvious disability Blaine can still work a crowd and guitarist William Rees proving an ample replacement as he dived into the crowd half way through the set.

The Mystery Jets are indeed a band on the up and with a strong second album there can only be a bright future for these lads from Eel Pie Island. Coupled with strong live showings such as in Glasgow they can only go from strength to strength. A good solid performance.

Salvesen U16’s vs. Tynecastle Colts - Steve Maskery Cup, Match Report

Salvesen U16’s  vs.  Tynecastle Colts

Steve Maskery Cup

Venue: Kirtliston Leisure Centre                                                             Kick Off: 2pm

A thrilling encounter played out by 2 impressive sides, with the teams deadlocked at 3-3 and nothing separating the sides at full time, extra time was needed. Tynecastle coming out on top, 6-3 at the end.

With Tynecastle exploiting the weakness down the left with Kyle Williams and Demitris Stevens working well together and looking at times telepathic with their movement and passing. Salvesen started the game employing a sweeper system, a move that worked well, with Lewis MacAndrew starting the game impressively. Craig McMillan also looking pace and dangerous down the Salvesen right.

Salvesen’s first real attack comes down the left through Finlay Muir whose jinking run takes him past 3 Tyncastle players, he then swings in a magnificent cross but there is no one on the end or Salvesen. Salvesen are showing signs of promise and always harassing the Tynecastle players whenever they get the ball.

In response to the early Salvesen pressure, Tynecastle hit back with their own spell of dominance. Robert Wood demonstrated his quick feet, taking the ball past the Salvesen defence. This period resulted in the first goal; a stunning left foot effort by Wood from the edge of the 18yd box drilled into the bottom corner. An excellent strike.

Salvesen struck back right away with Craig McMillan taking the ball down the right and fizzing a ball along the edge of the 6yd box for Errol Douglas to tap in at close range. Salvesen then won a free kick 30yds out, but Daniel Lockhart striking the ball just over the bar.

Tynecasltle then take the lead once more through Dean Millar, whose nimbleness takes him easily past 3 Salvesen defenders and results in a low cross, which was easily tapped in to the empty net by Andrew Jones. 2-1 at half time.

After the interval Salvesen come out the blocks with impetus, as David Grant wins a free kick on the left of the 18yd box. Harry Knight then swung in the ball and Daniel Lockhart puts the ball in the back of the net to level the score.

With the Tynecastle defence not looking like it returned after the interval, Salvesen pile the pressure on. Closing the ball down quicker and not allowing the Tynecastle attack to gain any momentum.  But with all this pressure Salvesen fail to take advantage and Tynecastle break away and Andrew Jones hits the bar from 18yds. This was a timely warning.

Salvesen then ramped up their performance with Robert Moffat looking strong on the ball and continuously hounding the Tynecastle defence. With the pressure building, Daniel Lockhart who plays an excellent through ball to Finlay Muir who misses a golden opportunity 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper on the left of the 6yd box, the goal gaping he curls the ball wide of the far post. A pensioner could have stuck that one away.

The referee then failed to give what was a stonewall penalty for Salvesen. Kieran McKenna blatantly tripped Finlay Muir as he ran across the bye line at the edge of the 18yd area.

Against the run of play Tynecastle look to have won the tie as Gary Saunders volleys in a cross from the right. Salvesen’s defence goes to sleep as Saunders was left completely unmarked. However, Salvesen hit back and bring the score level again. With a determined run from Craig McMillan directly into the Tynecastle box, he beats the defenders and pokes the ball past Connor Muir.

Extra time is needed and immediately Tynecastle strike with Kyle Williams putting in a cross to the near post, the ball is flicked on and Andrew Jones is waiting at the far post to head in. Tynecastle then turn the screw with a free kick flung into the box, Robert Wood’s attempted clearance is mishit and the ball loops over the keeper for an own goal.

Salvesen then try to claw one back and drag themselves back into the game, Kyle Ferguson is then 1 on 1 with the Tynecastle keeper but a magnificent tackle from Kieran McKenna keeps the score as is.

The second half of extra time is a more timid affair with the game almost certainly won by Tynecastle. Finlay Muir’s frustration boils to the surface as he is sent of for abusive language towards the referee.

Tynecastle then put the game beyond doubt with Andrew Jones netting his hat trick. Good work down the right from Dean Millar who crosses to the near post where Jones is there to head in.

A last ditch tackle in the dying minutes from Laurie Preston on Gary Saunders saves Salvesen from even more humiliation.

A better performance from Salvesen but on the day a more effective Tynecastle come away with a deserved victory. 6-3 After Extra Time.

 

Booked

Salvesen: Daniel Lockhart

Tynecastle: Kieran McKenna

Sent Off

Salvesen: Finlay Muir

Man of the Match

Andrew Jones - Tynecastle

Salvesen U16’s vs. Uphall Diamonds - Match Report

Salvesen U16’s  vs.  Uphall Diamonds

Scottish Youth Football Association Challenge Cup: Round 2

Venue: Kirtliston Leisure Centre            Referee: Mike Smith                        Kick Off: 2pm

With Salvesen having lost the last 3 games today’s Scottish Cup tie was a must win and the boys in red did not disappoint with a n impressive 4-0 win over a dismal Uphall side provided no real threat.

With Salvesen attempting to play the ball on the deck from the off they immediately found an opening down the right flank through S19 who fizzed in a cross to the 6yd line where S2 couldn’t connect with the ball and score what would have been a certain goal. Without doubt a sign of things to come from the home side.

Salvesen then quickly retained the ball and added more pressure by forcing a corner from Uphall, taken by S7 but headed just over by the defence, for another that was driven to the near post by S15 only to be cleared by the defenders. Even this early in the match it became clear that Salvesen were showing more endeavour and engaging with the Uphall players.

With the game turning a bit scrappy, foolish free kicks were beginning to be given to Uphall around the edge of the Salvesen 18yd box. U14 wasted these scarce opportunities for the away side. U9 then hit a solid drive from the 18yd line but it went well wide. These were warning signs for Salvesen not to underestimate their opponents.

From a corner from the right by S4, in swinging and with pinpoint accuracy the ball was headed back across the goal, looking certain to give the lead the Salvesen. However a magnificent goal line clearance gave hope to Uphall, but could they weather the storm? U8 was ineffective as he had plenty of space to exploit but was reluctant to take on the Salvesen right back.

Salvesen then began to turn the screw with S15 showing an increasing willingness to get down the left flank and beat his man. It was his determination and a pass from S8, which led to a chance for Daniel Bertram to rifle the ball in from 20yds. S8 passed the ball across the edge of the area from the left directly into the path of the oncoming Bertram whose shot went in over the helpless U1.

With the score 1-0 the home team then went in search of a second, they were now showing complete dominance over a lacklustre Uphall team who don’t look like the are interested at all. Salvesen were putting Uphall under constant pressure whenever they had the ball and not giving them any time to settle and pick a good pass. S15 and S19 were particularly effective down the left and right wings respectively.

Uphall did have one or two chances especially from set pieces with U14 just heading over a U9 corner. Salvesen were putting themselves under pressure with the defence looking a little shaky and disorganised with the absence of S3. Thought Salvesen themselves looked dangerous from their own set plays with S5 going close from a corner taken by S4.

Salvesen again made another chance through S15 whose cross was miscontrolled by S6 and he couldn’t finish what was a glorious opportunity. Any attacks that Uphall had were on the counter but the impotent attack caused no threat and S1 was commanding at the back. No communication or movement from the Uphall attack was leading to frustration throughout their side, with U16 being particularly vocal.

Salvesen continued to press and went close when S2 and S15 combined down the left hand side and S15 had his cross come shot drop just wide of the far right hand post. Uphall then countered and were one on one with the goalkeeper with U12 however S11 manages to get his body in between and takes the ball from the Uphall player. A truly great piece of defending and excellent work rate from the young man who showed immense determination to get back.

Salvesen begin the second half in exactly the same way as they ended the first. This pressure and fight, leads to S19 getting the ball down the right and swinging in a wonderful textbook cross and S18 rises above the defence to make the score 2-0. Uphall are being completely overwhelmed by Salvesen, who are utilising the flanks to great effect.

Any prolonged possession that Uphall did get was wasted and a general lack of ideas and movement from the forwards is apparent. And it was quite a way into the half when they got their first opportunity when Y15 thrashed a ball into the side netting. No composure was shown at all from the forward and just compound the problems they are having on the day.

Salvesen then get their third through S15. S19 dribbles the ball past Y4 and drives in a low cross that comes off S2 and bobbles along the goal line where S15 was on hand to make sure the ball crossed the line. The goal capped an excellent performance by the left-winger.

Another was quickly added, when a free kick on the left was floated in by S18 and looked as if it was going out for a goal kick, the Uphall goalkeeper Y1 just left the ball but S19 came charging through and connected with a magnificent diving header on the far post. Excellent anticipation and demonstrates a difference in attitude from Salvesen.

Salvesen continued to pressurise the Uphall defence in search of another goal but it was to no avail and they had to make do with a 4-0 win. If they can keep this form up then they will be in with a good chance of progressing in the competition. The wingers S19 and S15 in particular looked incredibly impressive.

Uphall however looked a team in disarray with no cohesion and bereft of attacking threat. The goalkeeper was woeful with his distribution and decision making being a noteworthy lowlight.

 

Booked

n/a

 

Man of the Match

S19 – Salvesen U16’s

EPPF (Eunpyeong Mixed-use Development), Seoul, South Korea

Connecting North and South Eunpyeong with a vibrant 24/7 hub 

The Eunpyeong Mixed-use Development Seoul, Korea (EPPF) located near Seoul, South Korea offers the surrounding residents 480,000 m2 of entertainment, shopping, home and office space. Located to the northeast of Seoul, Eunpyeong is served by a vast subway network, and part of the Korean governments dedication to regenerating and developing this area. Surrounded by mountains on the east and west, the team behind the development Scott Sarver, Dae-Hong Minn and Hobum Lee wanted to connect the north and south of this development.

With an eight-story retail and entertainment multiplex at the heart of the development, the design is sculptural, with the bow shaped building appearing to drift across the landscape and at night the giant glass structure glows with a luminous exhibition of  light. Attached to the discernable northwest corner is a 200 room hotel and 31 story pioneering office tower, with a twisting form inspired by traditional Korean pottery. At the southern point are three residential towers, ranging from 25 to 30 stories in height. A meandering stream entwines itself into the sculptural mould of the retail complex above, to fashion a dynamic space for this vibrant 24/7 transit hub.

With an extremely contemporary edge and reveling in traditional Korean culture, the development is a seamless fusion of old and new. The high regard for nature and significance of the mountains permeates the elaborate design, and in addition the buildings appearance is driven by old Korean styling. In contrast the luminous exhibition emanating from the multiplex is a direct reference to the colorful traditional festivals of the area.

Time-honoured customs combined with a twist of modern day chic gives the project an awakening ambiance.

Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

Technology and patient experience are key in €1billion design.

After 9 years in the making, the Akershus University Hospital near Oslo, Norway has opened. Designed and constructed by C. F. Møller Architects, it has a total area of 137,000 sq m and cost €1 billion to construct. During construction, from 1 March 2004, to 1 October 2008, some 1,400 people from 37 different nations contributed over 6.2 million man-hours erecting the new ‘super hospital’. The large-scale building will serve the 340,000 inhabitants from surrounding municipalities and boasts space for 50,000 in-patients with 4,600 staff members, including 426 doctors.

The vision was to create something economical, innovative and a place people can relax and be at ease. Klavs Hyttel, partner in C. F. Møller Architects and lead architect of the project commented, “The concept of security should encompass both efficiency, technology and the familiar patterns of the daily routine. It is through this balancing act that we have created the architectural attitude of the building.”

The building differs in form throughout, yet notions of light and the outside environment are a common factor linking the assorted areas. Achieved through a glass covered main entrance, brightness is promoted throughout the main artery of the building. Coupled with the overriding use of wood as a key component in the structure. Adding colour and inspiring recovery, a €2.3 million art programme is in place mixing work from fresh and established Scandinavian artists.

Contrasting with the organic materials in use are the advanced technological incorporations: Doctors can order medicine via PC which is then automatically dispatched to the patient; robotic un-manned trucks deliver bed linen and each patient bed comes with a TV, telephone and internet access. These futuristic practises give patients a more relaxed stay and increase the contact time they receive whilst enhancing the efficiency of such an institution.