The Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup
	Round 2
	Barlia Sports Complex
	Sat 10th October 2009
	Windlaw AFC	3 - 3	Balmore
	Scorers: McKenna, McGeachy, McCaig		Scorers:
	Team: Lunny, McInally, Wilson, Dougall, Simpson, McCann, McCaig, Hepburn, McKenna, McGeachy, Johnstone		Team: Fisher, Carson, Colquhoun, White, Clark, Gillespie, Keane, Patrick, Higgins, Cook, Kerr
	H-T: 1-2		Referee: Gerry O'Donnelly

Two enforced changes for Windlaw from last week’s win over Busby with Chris Carr unavailable and Mick Devaney ill, Zanda Dougall came into central defence while Wullie Wilson came in at left-back. Weather conditions were superb for the first ever meeting between these sides.

Windlaw got the first clear cut chance with Greg Johnstone finding room in the box but he couldn’t generate enough power in his shot and Fisher beat the shot away to his left. Balmore then seemed to click into gear, their 4-5-1 formation working superbly and their one touch football and movement all over the pitch was a joy to watch. It was just the sort of standard you expect from a team from The Caledonian League. They took the lead on 10 minutes when Windlaw failed to clear the danger down their left and a shot from around 20 yards took a slight deflection off  Chris Hepburn and flew high into the net past Lunny’s dive. Windlaw looked deflated and Balmore threatened to run riot with their superiority forcing the home side into careless passing mistakes. Slightly against the run of play came the equaliser when Balmore overplayed a bit at the back and the ball fell beautifully for Danny McKenna who struck it early past Fisher’s left hand into the net. A nice way for the on-form striker to mark his 50th goal for the club. They could then have taken the lead when an excellent Chris Hepburn cut-back was smashed goalwards by Liam McGeachy but Fisher produced an outstanding stop to show how capable he was. Again the visitors were better though and they retook the lead on 35 minutes when Cook was harshly adjudged to have been fouled just outside the Windlaw penalty area. The subsequent kick was hammered high past John Lunny who did well to catch a look at it as it whistled past him to give Balmore a deserved half-time lead.

Half Time: Windlaw AFC 1 - 2 Balmore

Windlaw started the second period in much better shape and now seemed to compete better. The chances were starting to fall the way of the home side and Chris Hepburn and Liam McGeachy were becoming more and more  influential. The constant supply of crosses into the Balmore box mainly from Hepburn had their defenders looking uncertain at times but Windlaw were lacking a killer finish at times and as the game wore on the next goal looked pivotal with Windlaw having the better of the chances. It was Balmore though who went further ahead on 76 minutes when a through ball found their forward between the Windlaw defence and despite looking offside he calmly right-footed past Lunny as the big keeper advanced. The tie looked over and Windlaw needed an instant response to stay in the game. Liam McGeachy provided it when he curled in a fine long range effort that even the outstanding Fisher couldn’t keep out. Once again it was game on and Windlaw surged forward always looking dangerous. On 88 minutes the equaliser came when Kevin McCann’s fizzing long throw into the box caused panic in the Balmore defence and Eck McCaig stole in at the back to loop his header into the net and surely secure a replay. The drama wasn’t over yet though and in injury-time a magnificent diagonal ball from deep caught the Windlaw defence napping and the Balmore substitute was through on goal. His first touch though was just a little heavy and as Lunny charged from his line to dive at his feet the forward was adjudged to have dived as the two players went for the ball. The referee O’Donnelly booked him for simulation and the game finally ended with a draw just about right.

Full Time: Windlaw AFC 3 - 3 Balmore

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said  "A good team performance and good comeback to force a replay against a quality side." The replay will take place at Balmore’s ground off Union Street in Stonehouse kick-off 2pm.

Windlaw Star Man: A difficult one to pick.Kevin McCann performed well in central defence and Liam McGeachy’s second half showing was excellent but Tam Simpson in midfield did a lot to inspire his team during the difficult moments in this game and takes the plaudits.

 

 

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