Penalty hero Townsley saves Jeanfield Swifts

SAM Townsley was Jeanfield Swifts U/16’s hero as they survived a late Dryburgh comeback and a penalty shoot-out to advance to the semi-finals of the John Clark Motors Cup.

The Jeanfield stopper saved three Dryburgh penalties as his side won the shoot-out 3-1.

His manager John Lorimer was full of praise for his No 1, who has been with the club since day one, saying: “The last few seasons he’s been with us he’s been fantastic.

“He’s been with us since soccer school and he can only go onto better things. I can’t say enough about him.”

Jeanfield went ahead after 10 minutes when Angus Dochard swept in Liam Cooney’s cutback. The visitors went close midway through the first period when Cooney cracked an effort against the crossbar.

The woodwork was rattled at the other end when Aaron Flynn headed against the crossbar. Rannoch Ramsay volleyed in Jeanfield’s second of the game seconds before half-time.

Jamie Bell’s own goal after 49 minutes handed Dryburgh a lifeline, but their joy was short-lived as Cooney found the net four minutes later.

Jeanfield had the chance to go into a 4-1 lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, but Aaron Cosgrove pushed Ben Shepherd’s effort to safety.

This sparked a Dryburgh comeback, as Ryan Smith stabbed in what proved to be the first of a quickfire double, with his second a simple finish from Ryan Corbitt’s cutback.

In the penalty shoot-out, Sam Townsley kept out penalties from Aidan Nelson, Flynn and Corbitt as Jeanfield ran out 3-1 winners, and advanced to the semi-finals.

Manager Lorimer was pleased his side survived the late Dryburgh revival and made it through to the next round, saying: “Winning on penalties it’s not the best way, but I think we deserved the win anyway.

“We were the best in Perth, now let’s go and show we’re the best in Dundee, and then the best in the east coast.”

Monifieth U/14s pulled off the scalp of the round as they dumped top-flight DUSC out of the Reilly Falconer Cup. Ben Strachan grabbed a hat-trick as the Second Division side made the quarters.

Fairmuir U/16 (orange) overcame Logie Harp 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals of the John Clark Motors Cup at Graham Street last Sunday.

Ferry U/13 (yellow) faired better than their older club-mates, beating Montrose 8-0 in the Cafe Royale League at Dawson Park.

Fairmuir U/15 (orange) had their own cup success, smashing Broughty Panthers 6-0 in the Jean Pieree Babin Cup quarter-finals.

Ferry U/15 (yellow) played out a 2-2 draw with Montrose in the G Taylor League at Dawson Park on Sunday.

Dundee Rangers U/17 (red) lost heavily 6-0 to Ferry in the Dave Pullar League at St Saviour’s.