Argyle still on course to retain Scottish Cup

DUNDEE Argyle maintained their stronghold on the Scottish Cup with a terrific victory last week.

Holders Argyle hosted Brunswick AFC from Falkirk at DISC in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

The match promised to be a thriller, with a free-scoring Argyle looking to combine a good run of form with the spirit that saw them lift the Sunday Trophy last year.

Opposition Brunswick had been noted for a fluid attacking style this season, so a goalfest was well and truly on the cards.

Both sides grappled for the advantage from the whistle but it was Argyle who dominated in the opening stages, stifling the opposition with a good pressing game.

The home side opened the scoring in the 17th minute when some fine passing play allowed winger Owen Neave to find the net.

The game developed into a fierce contest, and Argyle stunned the opposition in the 37th minute when Stevie Martin latched onto a misplaced pass on the halfway line and reacted quickly to strike from distance, lobbing the Brunswick keeper who was caught off his line.

The half-time team talk must have had shades of Coach Carter about it as the visitors emerged with a renewed vigour in the second half.

Brunswick were rewarded for their efforts in the 55th minute when leading goalscorer Darren Liddell made it 2-1.

The away side continued to press in an effort to grab an equaliser but Argyle were swift to react on the counter and were rewarded with a penalty in the 57th minute.

Midfielder Stephen Tront duly dispatched the spot-kick, restoring Argyle’s two-goal lead.

As the clock ticked down, Brunswick upped the pressure, with Liddell grabbing his second in the 85th minute.

Despite a nervy ending, Argyle held out until the final whistle to progress to the quarter-final.

Argyle manager Alan Henry praised a hard-working Brunswick side, who made his team sweat for their win, particularly in the dying embers of the clash.

Henry’s side now await the winners of Sunday’s tie between Blackburn United and Overlee Partizans in the quarter-final, which will be an away tie for the Dundee side on Sunday, March 5.

Dundee Argyle celebrating with the Scottish Sunday Trophy last season — they are on course to retain the title after reaching this season’s quarter-final.

DUSC (tangerine) booked a last four spot in the U/19 Peter McAvoy Cup by beating St Andrews.

Forfar U/16s (black) are into the Queens Jubilee Cup Final after beating Dundee Rangers 3-1.

Forfar were 3-1 winners over Dundee Rangers (white) in the U/16 Queens Jubilee Cup semi-final.

East Craigie Swifts (black) edged a tight U/16 Queens Jubilee Cup semi by beating Arbroath 2-1.

DUSC (tangerine) and Forfar U/14s shared 12 goals between them with DUSC winning 7-5.