Kinnoull clinch semi-final place

Aug 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE two remaining games in section two of the ACA Sports League Cup were played on Saturday and they resulted in away wins for Luncarty and Bankfoot at the expense of Scone Thistle and Jeanfield Swifts.

The outcome of those games, however, had no bearing as to the winning of the section as Kinnoull had already clinched that honour and will now play in the semi final on Wednesday night.

To their credit, this factor didn’t deter the teams involved from going all out in their efforts to finish in the winning vein.

This resulted in two hugely contested and highly entertaining encounters.

The Scone Thistle–Luncarty clash saw the first half with the score sheet blank.

There had been chances at both ends but neither team could apply the finishing touch required to break the deadlock.

The second half had only been in operation for 10 minutes when the Bleachers went ahead.

A long ball from their midfield found its way into the Scone penalty box and veteran striker Peter Gormley making one of his rare appearances showed that he hasn’t lost his skill as a predator as he whacked the ball into the back of the Scone net from about 10 or 12 yards.

Scone strived hard to get back on level terms and they almost did the trick in the 70th minute when a good move left Craig Stephen with a chance.

His shot from close range was brilliantly saved by Luncarty keeper Alan Duncan.

The Bleachers increased their lead to 2–0 in the 80th minute and this goal more or less assured them of victory.

Mike Lindsay was the scorer. His cross cum shot from the right wing evaded keeper Dave Winton and landed in the corner of the net.

This setback was a blow for Scone but they immediately set about going on the offensive and in 84 minutes a ball into the Luncarty penalty box wasn’t cleared and it caused quite a mix up in the Luncarty defence and Craig Stephen was on hand to take full advantage of the situation.

He dispatched the ball into the back of the net from close range to reduce the leeway to 2–1 but it proved to be too little too late for the Thistle and the Bleachers left for home with the three points.

The Jeanfield–Bankfoot game saw the Swifts attack the Bankies goal from the kick off and both Sean Fergus and John Anderson had attempts which were on target saved by keeper Darren McGarry.

Swifts kept up the pressure and after only 11 minutes play they shot into the lead with a really well worked and taken goal.

A through ball from Nial Cassidy to Tommy Purdie posed danger.

Tommy hit a cross into the edge of the Bankies penalty box and Kevin Fowler came racing in to intercept the ball.

He took a couple of steps forward before cracking a volley into the corner of the net which left keeper Darren McGarry with no chance of making a save.

Bankies strived hard to get back into the game and had one or two good moves but their attack lacked a cutting edge and they didn’t pose Swifts keeper David Rice any great problems.

Swifts on the other hand continued to look dangerous and with the half at the midway stage, they came very close to increasing their lead on two occasions.

Kevin Fowler almost did the business again when his shot from 12 yards was brilliantly saved by Darren McGarry and just a few minutes later Sean Fergus was left with a chance but he hooked his shot from the edge of the six yard box past the post.

The Bankies got back on level terms on the half hour Mark.

They had won a corner which was hit into the heart of the Swifts goalmouth. Bankies striker Alan Brown got his head to it but it was pushed out by David Rice and quite a scrimmage ensued.

The ball was bobbing about in the goalmouth and Barry Ward got a shot in but his was blocked but only partially cleared and the loose ball was picked up by Steven Moon and he promptly fired it past David Rice for the equaliser.

The second half saw play surge from end to end and there were chances at both ends but no further goals.

There was quite a dramatic finish to the game.

With only four minutes remaining the score was still 1–1.

Swifts won a corner which was fired into the heart of the Bankies penalty box.

Swifts striker John Anderson outjumped everybody to power a header towards the Bankies goal and it looked to be a homer but it rattled off the post and bar and was cleared, a let off for Bankies.

They immediately swept upfield and a great through ball from Scott McCabe to John Mitchell saw him take the ball past a couple of defenders.

Keeper David Rice came off his goal line in an attempt to block him. Mitchell however hit the ball past him into the path of his fellow striker Barry Ward who was in the six yard box and unmarked. Barry had only to get a touch to the ball to knock it over the goal line for what proved to be the winning goal.

The Swifts to their credit responded to this setback and in a last ditch attack Bally Whytock connected with a cross only to see his header come crashing back off the bar and the ball had only hit the ground when the referee blew for time up.

Coupar were also engaged in their final game of the DJ Laing League Cup.

Coupar were away to Lochee Harp and they lost this section three game by 2–0.

Kinnoull are due to play their league cup semi final away from home on Wednesday night.

They will not know who their opponents will be until after last night’s games.

The other teams involved are Hill o’ Beath, Rosyth or Crossgates.

Kinnoull will be without both Neil Gardiner and Mark Gordon for their semi final clash.

Full back Stuart Nicol may return to the squad which will number 17 or 18.

Blairgowrie had a point deducted from their points tally after a protest by Lochee United against Blair for playing an ineligible player against them in their league cup clash upheld.

Blair were also fined £100.

Perthshire Juniors

SATURDAY’S results: ACA Sports League Cup section two – Jeanfield Swifts 1, Bankfoot Athletic 2; Scone Thistle 1, Luncarty 2.

DJ Laing League Cup section three – Lochee Harp 2, Coupar Angus 0.