Football: Perthshire Juniors

Nov 6 2012 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser

Jeanfield Swifts had Tayport as their guests at the Riverside Stadium in the Premier League.

Swifts who went on the offensive from the kick off took the lead in 11 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when the ball was stopped by a defender’s arm.

Tony Holt did the needful with the spot kick, five minutes later Robbie Holden was in full flight and inside theTayport penalty box when he was up-ended and Swifts were awarded a second penalty which was again taken by Tony Holt but this time it was saved by keeper Ian Ross.

Midway through the half there was more woe for the Port when their defender Paul Tosh was red-carded for retaliation.

Ten minutes into the second half, Swifts increased their lead to 2-0: a corner from their right was met by John Anderson the striker outjumped a bevy of defenders to beat the keeper with a brilliant header from just inside the penalty box.

Tayport reduced the leeway in 76 minutes when Colin McNaught fired a ball into Swifts’ penalty box which was met by Stephen Tront, his first time shot assisted by a slight deflection landed in the back of the Swifts net to make it 2-1 – that’s how the game ended.

This was a great win for Swifts as it not only earned them three points and moved them up the league table a few places; it also ended Tayport’s unbeaten run in the league in the process.

Kinnoull were guests of Dundonald Bluebells in the East of Scotland Cup. Dundonald took the lead after just 11 minutes when Calum Young was left in lots of space in the Kinnoull penalty box and as goalkeeper Mark Mitchell came off his line to challenge him he was side-stepped by the striker who fired the ball into the back of the net.

Dundonald held on until the 75th minute when Kinnoull, who had been the stronger side in the second half, equalised.

A corner taken by Chucky Carr was met by Neil Gardiner at the far post, he headed it on to his central defence partner Mark Duigan who had also came up to support the attack.

Mark met the ball and headed it high into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, and Kinnoull had turned the tables on their hosts and were in the lead and again Mark Duigan was the scorer.

Drew Fleming hit a long free kick over the Dundonald defence and it found Mark in the goal area from where he turned the ball past keeper Lennox.

Dundonald got back on level terms with four minutes remaining when a shot from Lee Bryce hit the underside of the crossbar and landed in the back of the net.

A penalty shoot out looked to be on the cards until a last ditch attack by Kinnoull saw Chris Dodd brought down in the penalty box by keeper Lennox which earned him a red card.

Lee Bryce took over in goal, Chucky Carr took the spot kick and blasted the ball into the back of the net to take Kinnoull forward to round two.

Scone Thistle lost out to their Premier League hosts Newtongrange Star in the East of Scotland Cup by 6-0.

The young Scone side turned in a creditable performance against their very experienced opponnents who had the tie virtually wrapped up by the interval as they had swept into a 5-0 lead with goals from Scott Swanney, Chris King, Joe Dunbar and a double from Craig O’Relly who went on to complete his hat trick with the only goal of the second half.

Bankfoot were away to Super Leaguers Lochee Utd in the GA Cup and the Bluebells – as they are nicknamed – were shocked to find themselves a goal behind after five minutes when David Fyfe, who was at least 20 yards from their goal, fired in a volley from the right hand edge of the penalty box into the corner of their net.

The Bluebells went chasing the equaliser but were thwarted by a very well-organised Bankies’ defence who held them at bay until the 33rd minute when Paul Blackwood equalised.

Six minutes into the second half Blackwood scored again with what proved to be the winner – he did so with a spectacular overhead kick.

The Bankies, with 10 minutes to go, came close to drawing level.

A shot from David Fyfe looked to be net-bound but the keeper dived full length to get his fingers tips to the ball and turn it round the post.

Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus were away to Lochee Harp and Downfield in the North League.

Blair won what proved to be a real see-saw encounter at Beechwood.

They were 3-0 ahead by midway through the half thanks to a double from Andy Murison in between his team mate’s goals Gary Axworthy scored with a penalty.

Steve Williamson pulled one back for Harp close to the interval.

Frank Mullen reduced the leeway further 10 minutes into the second half, then in the final minute Paul Mann made it three three.

But Blair retaliated immediately and won a penalty in stoppage time and for a second time Gary Axworthy scored from the spot to make it 4-3 for Blair.

Coupar Angus finished another game without any reward for their efforts as they lost to Downfield by 3-1, they remain pointless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

Saturday’s results, Premier League: Jeanfield Swifts 2 Tayport 1. East of Scotland Cup first round: Newtongrange Star 6 Scone Thistle 0. Dundonald B. 2 Kinnoull 3. GA Cup: preliminary round Lochee Utd 2 Bankfoot Ath 1. North League: Lochee Harp 3 Blairgowrie 4, Downfield 2 Coupar Angus 1. Match off Luncarty v Brechin Vics.