Penalty finale ends Scone’s cup dream

Jun 6 2008

THE Scone Thistle/St Andrews Kingdom Kegs Cup semi-final was played at the Thistle’s RDM ground on Monday and was watched by a healthy crowd and they certainly got their money’s worth.

This was a pulsating cup tie that saw play surge from end to end throughout its 90 minutes, plus stoppage time and finished with the teams sharing four goals, equally, which was a fair result.

The penalty shoot out that was called on to decide the winners was a real nail biting affair that kept the spectators rooted to the spot and not surprisingly as it took a mammoth 10 penalties each before the tie was settled.

Unfortunately it was in St Andrews’ favour as they won by 8–7.

The game had only been in progress for a couple of minutes when St Andrews mounted their first attack and won a free kick just outside the Thistle penalty box.

This was taken by Graham Malken but his shot went past the post.

Thistle retaliated immediately as they swept down to the other end and forced the Saints defence to concede a corner which was taken by Johnny Brown but brought no joy.

Thistle continued on the attack and they were awarded a free kick about 25 yards from the Saints goal.

This was rather hurriedly taken by Craig Ferguson.

He played it to Grant McGregor who was caught unawares and he failed to gather the ball properly and lost it to an opponent.

The Saints had a reasonable chance to take the lead in nine minutes. A cross into the Thistle penalty box from John Suttie was picked up by Ricky Patrick but his shot sailed over the bar.

A few minutes later Scone were presented with a chance when a short pass back from a defender to his goalkeeper left Jonny Brown and the keeper in a one to one situation for the ball.

The keeper got to the ball first by a matter of inches and he had it in his grasp but let it slip.

However he managed to retrieve the situation before Jonny Brown could take advantage of it.

There followed a short spell of rather scrappy midfield play which ended when Craig Ferguson picked up the ball and he set off on a mazy solo run that saw him leave a few opponents in his wake. Craig laid the ball off to Jonny Brown who hit a cross into the heart of the Saints goalmouth but before a Thistle player could get to the ball it was cleared by a defender.

The half was at its midway stage when the best chance of the game so far came the Saints way.Paul Farquharson had broken down the left wing and his cross into the Thistle penalty box was picked up by Gary Sutherland.

The striker was no more than six or seven yards from the goal which was at his mercy with only Gavin Sorley to beat but Sutherland fired the ball straight at the keeper who had no difficulty in making a save.

This proved to be a very fortuitous let off for the Thistle as two minutes later they took the lead.

Thistle were awarded a free kick just outside the Saints penalty box.

This was launched into the heart of the goalmouth where John Anderson rose above everybody else to power a header into the back of the net and Thistle were 1–0 ahead.

Ten minutes later it looked as if they had increased their lead when an almost identical scenario once again a ball into the goalmouth from a free kick saw Neil Gardiner and the keeper jump for the ball.

Neil beat him to it and his header landed in the back of the net, but the referee signalled no goal as he considered Neil to have committed an infringement on the keeper.

There was little more than a minute remaining when the Saints got back on level terms with a goal from Gary Sutherland.

The second half had only been in operation 10 minutes when the Saints were reduced to 10 men.

Ricky Patrick committed a rather crude tackle on Craig Ferguson and the referee had no hesitation in producing a red card.

Ferguson managed to carry on after treatment.

The game continued in the same vein as the first half with play surging from end to end although the pace had slackened.

Gavin Sorley saved theThistle from going behind with a brilliantly blocked strike from Saints’ Duncan Campbell, inches from the goal line.

Two minutes later there was an almost identical situation at the other end when the Saints keeper blocked what looked to be a netbound shot from Jonny Brown.

In 72 minutes the Saints took the lead when they were awarded a penalty. Graham Malken took the spot kick and his well struck effort left Gavin Sorley helpless.

This goal put the Saints 2–1 ahead and it looked as if it was going to be the winner despite frantic efforts by the Thistle to claw the deficit back.

There was slightly less than two minutes of the game left when Thistle did exactly that.

A through ball had found Mike Boyle just outside the Saints penalty box on the left of the goal. Mike jinked his way past a couple of opponents and was well into the penalty box when the keeper came racing off his line and brought him down.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and producing a yellow card for the keeper.

The tension in the air was quite evident as John Anderson placed the ball on the spot but it certainly didn’t get to the big striker as he kept his cool and fired the spot kick into the back of the net to square the game.

The 20 goal penalty shoot out that followed was as close as the game had been.

The eventual result was bitterly disappointing for the Thistle who had performed admirably and had come so near to bucking the odds in what had been a tremendously exhilarating semi-final.

This defeat in the Kingdom Kegs semi-final brings down the curtain on the season as far as big county teams are concerned.

Luncarty held their agm recently and the following office bearers and committee were re-elected: President – Ian Bannerman; vice president and treasurer – Gina Matelewicz; committee – Jim Malone, Bob Brodie, Roddy McLellan and Grant Ritchie.

Ian Bannerman is to carry out the secretary’s duties until an appointment is made.

Anyone interested, contact Ian, tel 01738 629807 or 07864561857.

MIDWEEK results: Kingdom Kegs Cup semi-final – Scone Thistle 2, St Andrews 2.

Penalty shoot out – Scone Thistle 7, St Andrews 8.

Tomorrow’s fixture: Currie Cup final – Forfar West End v Tayport (at Glenesk Park, Dundee), kick off 2.30pm.