Shipbuilders hit the rocks as league and cup hopes crumble

A COUPLE of weeks ago East Craigie were on course for a clean sweep of trophies this season – but it’s all gone horribly wrong for the Shipbuilders.

Last week they were pipped by Carnoustie for the league title and on Saturday they were knocked out of the Thorntons Property Cup by Arbroath Vics in a shock result.

Yet it all started so promisingly for Craigie on Saturday when Paul Moran gave them the lead after three minutes. But Vics hit back quickly with an equaliser six minutes later then the Ogilvy Park side took the lead on 22 minutes.

Craigie hit back with an equaliser from Lee Cameron in 34 minutes but Vics regained the lead a minute later then two second half goals from Craig Tosh booked their spot in the semi-final, with Craigie’s third goal in the final minute no more than a consolation.

The Shipbuilders now have three weeks to pull themselves together before they are given a final chance to lift a trophy when they meet Tayport in the final of the Quest Engineering Cup on June 4.

Lochee United strolled through to the semi-final with a thumping 6-0 win over an under-strength North End.

The Bluebells took the lead on 22 minutes through Kevin Milne and never looked under threat after Luke Graham made it two in 35 minutes.

The second half was only four minutes old when Grant Lawson slotted in a third then a double from George Johnston and another from Kerr Hay completed the rout.

The Bluebells will meet Arbroath Vics in the semi-final next week at Thomson Park.

Kirrie Thistle are also through after beating Harp 3-0.

Robbie Gallagher gave Thistle the lead with barely five minutes on the clock and he doubled their advantage with a second on 25 minutes.

And there was no way back for the Beechwood side when Stewart Russell knocked in a third five minutes into the second half.

Kirrie will meet Downfield in the other semi-final after the Spiders beat Letham on penalties in the other semi.

Gordon Norrie gave the Spiders the lead on 36 minutes but they couldn’t hold out and a Mark Shaw equaliser in 74 minutes took it to penalties with the Spiders going through after a 5-4 shoot out win.

Elsewhere, Tayport had to come from behind with three late goals to beat Coupar Angus in the league.

The Foxes took the lead on the hour mark but with fifteen minutes to go Keiran Sturrock levelled then another two from Jamie Gill in 77 minutes and a third from Adam Fraser in stoppage time clinched the points.

Broughty wrapped up their season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Forfar United with the region’s top scorer Josh Skelly scoring a hat-trick and another from Rikki Gillespie.