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Greater Glasgow Amateur Premier League | |||
| Challenge Cup Round 1 | ||||
| Elderslie Playing Fields | ||||
| Sat 13th February 2010 | ||||
Garnock Valley |
2 - 1 aet |
Windlaw AFC |
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Scorers: |
Scorers: McKenna |
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| Team: Mutter, Callaghan, Pringle, Wallace, Torrance, Turner, Ross, Taylor, Whyte, Agnew, Kincaid | Team: Lunny, McInally, Carr (Wilson), McCann, Simpson (Baird), Granger, McCaig, Taylor, Hepburn (McGeachy), Johnstone, McKenna | |||
| H-T: 1-1 | Referee: Michael Sharkey | |||
Only one change for Windlaw from last week’s draw at Calderglen as Thomas Taylor came in for Liam McGeachy. Wullie Wilson and Zanda Dougall both returned to the squad as substitutes after missing last week. The pitch was in fairly reasonable condition although a bit bumpy and would certainly cut up a bit as the game wore on.
The Division One side started much better than a nervous looking Windlaw side and their skipper Gavin Agnew was giving the visitors defence some problems with his tricky footwork. Finally they got their reward when Windlaw conceded a free-kick only 20 yards out. The free-kick was brilliantly dispatched into the postage stamp top left corner of Lunny’s net with the keeper no chance. Eventually Windlaw responded and woke up to start troubling the home defence. The equaliser came after Tam Simpson found Greg Johnstone and his neat lay-off into Danny McKenna’s path was drilled low past Mutter’s dive to his right into the net. This settled Windlaw slightly and as they went into the break even, they would have felt better about their second-half prospects.
Half Time: Garnock Valley 1 - 1 Windlaw AFC
Straight from Windlaw’s kick-off Garnock almost scored after disposessing them but Agnew could only fire into the side-netting. The game became more of a battle with both teams fully committed in their challenges and chances few and far between. After one such battle, Valley’s Lee Ross put in a reckless sliding tackle that caught Eck McCaig heavily on the ankle after he released the ball. Referee Michael Sharkey who had a decent game correctly decided on a red card that should have given Windlaw the initiative. Despite now having the bulk of the pressure and possession, Windlaw couldn’t find a way past Kincaid who had to take over goalkeeping duties from the injured Mutter at half-time. However he performed admirably and ensured his team made it through to full-time still in the game.
Full Time: Garnock Valley 1 - 1 Windlaw AFC
In extra-time,Windlaw tried to make the best of their numerical advantage but the key moment went against them as the home side caught them on the break during the first period. As their forward broke into the box, he was clearly caught by Calum Granger’s challenge and ref Sharkey had no choice but to point to the spot. Davie Wallace stepped up and sent Lunny the wrong way to give them a precious lead to protect. This they did despite a bombardment of balls into their penalty box that were superbly defended mostly by the head of Torrance who was superb. Late on Kevin McCann was sent off as he lashed out at Torrance after the pair tangled for a loose ball. It was the Garnock man who had the last laugh though as his performance won the tie for his side.
After Extra Time: Garnock Valley 2 - 1 Windlaw AFC
Verdict: Windlaw Manager Billy Hepburn said "Another poor cup performance and the team must start getting back to form for the important games in the run-in." Next Saturday sees the team make the short trip to face Busby away on league business.
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 Windlaw Star Man: Overall, Valley’s Stephen Torrance was by far the best man on the pitch, for Windlaw Danny McKenna was the only shining light really. |
