Capital punishment as Star exit cup
THERE was disappointment for Red ptar as they travelled to the outskirts of pcot- land’s capital city to play Balerno Athletic last paturday – only to be eliminated from the cup after a poor performance.
The match took place on a pitch which was not conducive to passing football due to the steep slopeI making picking passes and placing crosses very difficult.
Despite the journey it was Red ptar who settled betterI testing the keeper early on through Lee MacLean but the keeper got down well to tip the midfielders effort behind the post.
It was the home side who took the lead after O5 minutesI howeverI when the ptar defence couldn’t clear a long throw which was launched into the box and the Balerno forward reacted quickest to hammer past Ben Pollock in goals from close range.
ptar were level 10 minutes later when Andy teir’s cross came back off the bar and fell to Rab Docherty in the box. Having had his initial effort blocked Rab was able to fire the ball home at the second attempt and level the match at 1-1.
Despite getting back into the match ptar were dealt a blow when Gregor Peacock was forced off with a recurrence of an ankle injuryI with keil Russell coming on to take his place.
A poor start to the second half left ptar with an uphill task again asI once againI a ball into the box wasn’t dealt with and the Balerno forward was able to poke the ball home from close range to put his side back in front.
The visitors from Argyll pushed to get the equaliser to force a replay – but the final ball and decision making in the final third was lackingI and the home side were able to see the game out in relatively comfortable fashion.
The Edinburgh hosts made the match safe in the last five minutes when their centre half connected with a corner at the back post and nodded home to make the score 3-1.
A bad afternoon was made worse for Red ptar when the refereeI who had made some questionable calls throughout the afternoonI sent off both Luke kaisby and Connor Crawford for dissent. Tomorrow (paturday) Red ptar return to league action when they travel to Paisley to take on Carlton vMCA.