AMATEUR FOOTBALL – PA TUESDAY MARCH 8

Mar 8 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Perthshire Amateur Football

THE biggest shock of the day was the fourth round victory by the odd goal in three for a resurgent Coupar Angus at Midlands cracks Barnhill.

Despite recent good form since the return of Dow as manager, Coupar were certainly not expected to win this tie on their travels, but provided a massive shock with goals from Lomas and Flemming and will now start favourites against an Arbroath squad, mid table in the first division.

The remaining Smith league play offs were concluded as Alyth advanced to yet another tie with St Johns after a hard fought win over Wolfhill, while the Swifts v Primrose tie was a feisty affair at the Riverside. Auchterarder were reduced to 10 men after an off the ball incident and the Swifts capitalised, however, three further dismissals, all for second bookings, resulted in them having to battle with only eight men on the park, finally succumbing to a late Maher winner in extra time.

The first semi finalist known is Ballinluig after they defeated Bridgeton United by the odd goal in five. Goals from Morrison, Simpson and Honeyman had them three up at the break, however, they took their foot off the gas and conceded to late counters, but sneaked through with hearts racing.

In the Perthshire Cup, Burrelton Rovers once again defeated Breadalbane by the same score line for the second week in succession to advance. Letham Lads upstaged their more senior neighbours in the seven acres derby to gain first bragging rights in advance of a couple of pending league meetings as they both chase promotion, with two crucial strikes from star man Kelly from distance. St Johns were 1–0 down after eight minutes to Balmoral, but got two goals back in a five minute spell through Quinn and McGillivray. Missed chances would come back to haunt St Johns in this game as Balmoral scored three minutes after the break and they both again scored to take the tie to extra time, where Sweeney again levelled only to concede two goals in two minutes for Balmoral to nick the win.

In the Ashleigh Cup, Comrie Rovers comfortably defeated Newtyle aided by a double from Reilly, to advance to the next round.

In the district cup ties, wins for both Vale’s against lesser opposition sees Vale of Earn in the west district and Vale of Atholl to the Birks Cup final and a Thorne double brace against Kenmore.

On league duty, Roselea took the chance to go top, edging a battling Craigie on the South Inch. Jackson was again the main goal threat for Roselea who are happy continuing to register points on the board, applying pressure on their title challengers. A draw was a fair result was the call from the man in the middle of the Rattray v Tay Thistle game, sharing a goal and a point a piece, while Fairfield extended their league at the top of the division with maximum points.

RESULTS (March 5): North of Tay Cup fourth round – Barnhill 1, Coupar Angus 2; Smith League Cup playoffs – Alyth 4, Wolfhill 2; Jeanfield Swifts 3, Auchterarder Primrose 4 (aet); quarter finals – Ballinluig 3, Bridgeton United 2; Perthshire Cup second round – Letham 2, Letham Lads 4; St Johns 4, Balmoral Utd 6 (aet); Burrelton Rovers 3, Breadalbane 1; Ashleigh Cup second round – Kettins v Star of Atholl; Newtyle Hearts 0, Comrie Rovers 5; West District Cup first round – Vale of Earn 4, Glenfarg Utd 0; Birks Cup semi final – Vale of Atholl 5, Methven 0.; League: Division One – Craigie 2, Roselea 3. Division Two – Rattray 1, Tay Thistle 1; Bridge of Earn 1, Fairfield 3. Division Three – Kinrossie/Caledonian 3, Strathearn Grove 2; Kenmore 4, Meigle Vics 2.

FIXTURES for Saturday, March 12, all kick offs 2pm:North of Tay Cup fifth round – Arbroath HSFP v Coupar Angus; TFB v Roselea; Ashleigh Cup second round – Kinrossie/Caledonian v Letham (M Sharpe); Alyth v Wolfhill (P Aitken); West District Cup first round – Auchterarder Primrose v Comrie Rovers (P Lynch); Perth and District Cup first round – Bridgeton Utd v Jeanfield Swifts (K Stewart); Perth and District Cup quarter finals – Craigie v St Johns (D McCorquendale); Marshall Cup first round – Newtyle Hearts v Kettins (B Reid); North Perthshire Cup quarter final – Methven v Ballinluig (D Ragsdell); Birks Cup quarter final – Star of Atholl v Breadalbane (R McDougall); League Division One – Balmoral Utd v Burrelton Rovers (K Shaw); League Division Two – Bridge of Earn v Tay Thistle (K Barclay); Letham Lads v Fairfield (N Fraser); Rattray v Vale of Atholl (J Richardson); League Division Three – Glenfarg Utd v Meigle Vics (S Robertson); Kenmore v Strathearn Grove (D Brydie). No game – Vale of Earn.