Hall Russell Utd 4 Kennoway Star Hearts 3
It was Scottish Cup day and an away trip to Bridge of Don to play Hall Russell Utd for KSH.
The long bus journey showed no signs of tiredness as Kennoway almost took the lead inside the opening twenty seconds. A through ball released L.Rolland and the midfielder saw his shot from the edge of the area beat the `keeper only to go inches over the crossbar.
Collins was next to test Otto in between the goals, the midfielder could not get enough on his shot from twelve yards as it was saved comfortably.
A positive start from the Fife side as the hosts struggled to get to grips with the movement of the KSH attack.
Collins and Brewster were linking up effectively and another chance was created,this time Band hesitated and his effort was blocked by a posse of defenders.
In the 27th minute Utd took a shock lead against the run of play. A ball from right to left allowed Mackie the opportunity to advance just inside the penalty area on the left. The striker curled an effort into the top corner leaving Paterson helpless.
Two minutes later KSH grabbed the equaliser. Watson chased down a pass on the right wing, the young midfielder was crudely fouled. From the resultant free kick Band found the head of captain Doig who forced the ball home from six yards out.
No more than KSH deserved on what was a bright opening to the game.
However the game plan changed drastically when Band received a straight red card for dissent. The striker was a frustrated figure as he walked off the pitch. HT 1-1
With a man advantage the home side started the second half in the perfect manner when after only two minutes they grabbed the lead again. This time pouncing on a mistake in the middle of the park before playing in McDonald who scored with a lobbed effort again with Paterson helpless.
Not the start the away side wanted. Two one down, one man down it looked like a mountain to climb. However KSH continued to get on the ball and play the way they had over the course of the game.
D.Muir was playing some fine passes as he took control of the middle of the park.
Craig was another who was proving to be a real thorn in the side of full back Hinks. The player was on a yellow card and proceeded to have a further three fouls on Craig in the space of five minutes. The referee was lenient as the away contingent looked puzzled as the player`s foul count mounted up. In fact after the third occasion the Utd management decided to substitute the player.
Kennoway were looking for another leveller and a shot from Craig was touched around the post by Otto. From the corner kick Doig was the man on hand again to power the ball goal-wards, the ball appeared to be over the line but D.Muir made sure as he forced the ball into the net. Twenty five minutes to go and it was hard to tell who was playing with the ten men such was the dominance of KSH.
Five minutes later and a strong run from Bryce saw the player taken out with another vicious tackle, Craig pounced on the ball and the referee waved play on. The winger surged forward before curling a precise effort high into the net from twenty yards out. A fine goal and one the team deserved for a spirited performance.
Bryce then had a chance to kill the tie off as he saw a lofted effort sail wide from 15 yards out.
With 14 minutes remaining disaster struck as KSH went down to nine men. A coming together saw Brewster and Rennie square up against each other. It was a handbags at dawn moment. However the referee showed Brewster a yellow card and no action against Rennie.
Brewster jogged back to his defensive duty and it took the Utd players to tell the referee that was his second yellow. A farcical moment that was hard for the KSH management to take considering the leniency shown to Hinks earlier on in the half.
With six minutes remaining the pressure mounted as a cross came in from the right where Wood was on hand to head home from four yards. A devastating blow considering the commitment shown by every player in the away side.
A draw would have been a remarkable result considering the events of the game but sadly that was not to be as deep into injury time a volleyed effort from Hay soared into the net for a late winner. The KSH players slumped to the ground knowing that was their Cup run ended in a game that can only be described as cruel looking back on certain incidents throughout. FT 4-3
Team: Paterson Mair Doig Bremner Brewster Craig Watson D.Muir L.Rolland Collins Band Subs: B.Rolland Grierson Bryce R.Muir
