TOP
GAME
TASS THISTLE 3
(McGuinness [2], Walker)
FRASERBURGH LINK-UP 3
(Dyka, Simpson, Masson)
PENALTIES!
What a wonderful
example of a Scottish Cup
tie this was. This was a match that had everything from
goals, near misses, great saves, controversy, extra time
and a penalty shoot out. Both teams were evenly matched
from start to finish, although the team playing towards
the wooded area on the right, often had a slight wind
advantage resulting in all but one goal coming at that end.
The Fraserburgh side endured a nightmare journey by bus,
rising before 06:00 to travel the 220 miles to Stevenson
but there would be no signs of weary legs from the
northerners.
It was Burgh who shocked the home side by taking an
early lead after missing some decent chances previously.
Evan Dyka found himself through on goal from the right.
His shot from just inside the box was well saved by keeper
Dylan Jackson but the power of the shot took it onwards
over the line for the opener, after 12 minutes of play.. On
24 minutes, Tass equalised from a ball down the left, which
was picked up by Marley McGuinness, who fired home
from an incredibly tight angle; again the keeper getting
a hand to it but unable to keep the ball out of the corner
of the net. Four minutes later, Thistle were ahead from
a calmly taken effort from Marc Walker, slotting the ball
beyond the Link Up keeper. Tass should have scored again
when Lee Horn placed a won derful cross over the visitor’s
defence on to the head of the incoming striker, whose
bullet header flew over the bar.
Half-Time : 1-1
Tass began where they left off in the second half as
McGuiness brought out the best of Link Up’s second
keeper at the expense of a corner.
The far travelled Fraserburgh almost drew level
as Douglas’ cross fell into a busy looking six yard area,
where the foot of Kane McCrory tapped the ball beyond
the right post. Link Up’s keeper was called into action
almost immediately when Walker shot from the left; his
shot blocked by the fingers of the keeper. Thistle had
opportunities to put the match beyond their opponents
but failed to capitalise on their chances. The same could
be said of Burgh, who had numerous shots on goal but
each one was direct at keeper Jackson. In the last five
Fraserburgh win 3-0 on penalties
as reported by Steven Kennedy
minutes the team from Fraserburgh were applying
tremendous pressure to their hosts back line but despite
lots of possession, they failed to find a way through a
resolute defence. That was until the 80th minute when
a long ball found its way to Bailey Simpson, who bearing
down on Jackson, calmly tapped the ball into the corner of
the net. There were cries of offside but the goal scorer was
well on although his striker partner McCrory was to be
found in an offside position, but was not interfering with
play. At two all, extra time was looming.
Full-Time: 2-2
It was end to end stuff as each side tried to take advantage
of tired legs. Tass Thistle took the lead for the second time
from a lobbed ball over the defence for McGuiness to run
on to. He effectively lobbed the keeper sending the ball
across the goal for a superb finish and what could well
have been the winner.
In the second period of extra time Burgh applied
the pressure, bringing out two outstanding saves from
Jackson. The equaliser followed from a corner which saw
a number of players challenge for the ball close to the line.
Claims that the keeper was bundled over the line with the
ball in his hands fell on deaf ears of the man in the middle
and the match was tied at 3-3.
It seemed to take an eternity for the penalties to
commence and nerves were obvious amongst the players.
Tass’ Marley McGuinness was up first, only to send the
ball over the bar. McGuinness was my Player of the Match,
so it was hard to imagine how the lad felt. Drew Masson
scored from the spot with ease before Walker’s shot
forced an outstanding save from Sean Smith.
Diving to his right, pushing the ball onto the underside
of the bar before it bounced back out to safety. McCrory
slotted home for Link Up before Smith again saved this
time from Jack McWilliams. Up stepped Bailey Simpson
with the responsibility of sending the visitors into the next
round and that’s exactly what he did. A great finish to win
a fantastic tie.
Penalties : 3-0
Issue # 1 | YFS Magazine | 57