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The Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup | |||
| Round 2 Replay | ||||
| Tileworks Sports Ground, Stonehouse | ||||
| Sat 17th October 2009 | ||||
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Balmore |
3 - 2 aet |
Windlaw |
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Scorers: |
Scorers: Johnstone, McGeachy |
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| Team: | Team: Lunny, McInally (Taylor), Wilson, Dougall (Carr), Simpson, McCann, McCaig (Granger), Hepburn, McKenna, McGeachy, Johnstone | |||
| H-T: 1-1 | Referee: Gerry O'Donnelly | |||
No changes for Windlaw after last week’s thrilling 3-3 draw between the sides on a superbly sunny autumn afternoon for football with the pitch a touch heavy underfoot but overall in good condition. Chris Carr replaced Ian Baird on the bench while Mick Devaney again missed out through illness.
After a whirlwind start in last week’s game, this time Balmore found Windlaw better prepared and the visitors created the first real chance when Greg Johnstone forced a save from Fisher in the Balmore goal. Balmore’s intention seemed to be to play over the top of Windlaw’s defence and use pace to get in behind but Windlaw had read this situation and were coping well. It was Windlaw who took the lead through a fine move. Tam Simpson on the left hand side played the ball onto Chris Hepburn who was giving the Balmore defence problems and his direct run and superb pass was just out of reach of the Balmore defender leaving Greg Johnstone with just Fisher to beat. He steadied himself and although the keeper got a touch the ball still flew into his top left hand corner for Johnstone’s 17th of the season. Balmore now knew they were again in for a tussle and looked rattled. The equaliser came on 35 minutes after good build up play opened up the Windlaw defence leaving them with numbers up at the edge of the box. A neat lay-off was hammered into John Lunny’s bottom right hand corner for an equaliser that was probably merited on the balance of play.
Half Time: Balmore 1 - 1 Windlaw AFC
Windlaw made a fine start to the second period and went ahead on 52 minutes. Greg Johnstone took advantage of some dithering defensive play and forced Fisher into a save to his right but the rebound fell nicely for Liam McGeachy following up and he forced it home via the legs of a Balmore defender. Balmore tried to rally and were trying to pin Windlaw back. Windlaw then replaced Zanda Dougall and Paul McInally with Chris Carr and Thomas Taylor with Wullie Wilson moving into central defence and Liam McGeachy into right-back. The pace of the game was picking up and it was really opening up. John Lunny then made an amazing save from a close range shot with his leg when an equaliser seemed certain. Windlaw skipper Eck McCaig had picked up a knock and was replaced by Calum Granger. The equaliser finally arrived on 78 minutes with good play down the Balmore right found their forward in space and he beat Lunny from close range. Play still raged from end to end with both sides looking for a winner. In the final minute Balmore keeper Fisher produced an unbelievable stop to keep out Danny McKenna from point blank range which would have won it but an extra half hour was required to settle this tie.
Full Time: Balmore 2 - 2 Windlaw AFC
After 97 minutes the home side got the goal which was to finally win this tie. Another slick move down their left found their forward in space and Lunny was beaten from inside the box. Much as they tried Windlaw just couldn’t get the equaliser and Balmore always looked a threat to nick another as Windlaw started committing more bodies forward in search of a goal that never came despite their best efforts.
After Extra Time: Balmore 3 - 2 Windlaw AFC
Verdict: Over 210 minutes of football there was hardly anything between two very evenly matched sides. Balmore had the edge in passing and technique with Windlaw stronger in other departments. Windlaw will see this though as a real chance missed and plaudits won’t make their absence from Wednesday night’s third round draw any easier to take. Next up is the West Of Scotland Cup Round 2 tie against Ardeer Rovers at Barlia with a 2pm kick-off
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Windlaw Star Man: Some good performances again from Wullie Wilson, Chris Hepburn, Liam McGeachy and Greg Johnstone but Kevin McCann was the stand-out giving absolutely everything and taking good responsibility at the heart of the defence. |
