Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Cup
	Round 3
	Barlia Sports Complex
	Sat 21st November 2009
	Windlaw AFC	0 - 3	Bannockburn
	Scorers:		Scorers: Clark, Knox (2)
	Team: Lowe, McInally, Wilson, McCann, Carr (Taylor), Robertson, McGeachy, Simpson (Carmichael), Hepburn, Johnstone, McKenna		Team: G.Maitland, Bruce, McGown, McLellan, MacLeod, Purdie, Clark, Donaldson, Knox, S.Maitland, Donald
	H-T: 0-2		Referee: Tony Gribbon

Windlaw had to make four changes from the last victory over Rannoch. Out through various reasons went John Lunny, Mick Devaney, Calum Granger and Thomas Taylor. New signing Craig Lowe went between the sticks, Kevin McCann returned in central defence to captain the side with Eck McCaig still suspended, Liam McGeachy returned to the side in an unfamiliar central midfield role and Scott Robertson made his first Windlaw start on the right wing. The visitors and holders of the trophy they won at Fir Park in May arrived in Castlemilk in confident mood sitting top of the Caledonian Premier League. The day began in sombre mood with both sides observing a minutes silence in honour of Barry Dougall who sadly lost his fight against cancer in the early hours of Saturday morning. Barry played for the club in the late 1990’s and is the brother of current Windlaw player Zanda Dougall. 

The home side started well and retained a good shape against Bannockburn’s five man midfield. Early on Chris Hepburn was firing balls into the visitors box to test them and Windlaw looked well up for it. Bannockburn though had an outstanding goalkeeper in the shape of Greg Maitland and early on he made a superb save low down to his right from a Greg Johnstone shot that looked as if it was past him. He then had another great save and it looked already that it might take something special to beat him. The visitors took the lead against the run of play when a fine low cross from the left wing was smashed home at the back post by Andrew Clark who timed his run to perfection. Windlaw refused to buckle though and stayed in the game. There were signs though that the visitors were becoming more comfortable and on 35 minutes they doubled their lead. This time Windlaw lost possession up the pitch and Bannockburn broke down the left before another inch perfect cross dissected the Windlaw defence and Steven Knox arrived at almost the same point Andrew Clark had, to smash the second past Lowe who had no chance.

Half Time: Windlaw AFC 0 - 2 Bannockburn

The next goal was always going to be vital and Windlaw began the second half well, looking to get more supply in from Chris Hepburn to the two strikers who were working hard for opportunities. The game however turned just on the hour mark when Scott Robertson’s lunging two-footed mid-air tackle was correctly met with a straight red card from referee Tony Gribbin who had no alternative. With him walked Windlaw’s chances of getting back into the game as Bannockburn made their numerical superiority count. Minutes later came the third goal to wrap things up. A good move down their right saw a superb first time cross met with an even better headed finish from Steven Knox again who used the pace of the cross to divert and angle a header into the roof of the net. It was a stunning strike that showed the ability of the visitors. For the remainder of the game, Bannockburn retained possession comfortably with skipper Kenny McLellan showing just why he’d been with Stirling Albion for a long spell. Windlaw’s ten men continued working hard though to shut down Bannockburn’s space but by that time the game was gone and the holders had safely negotiated their way into the fourth round

Full Time: Windlaw AFC 0 - 3 Bannockburn

 

Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said "It was a good effort all round but now we get back to league business’. The league business resumes next Saturday when Windlaw travel to Bearsden to play Rannoch for the third time already this season.

Windlaw Star Man: Windlaw had few poor performers on the day and given how much everyone put in it would be wrong to single out any player in particular.

 

 

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