Forth pin cup hopes on Lochore replay
County side set to travel to Fife for showdown
Forth Wanderers lost a goal then a defender – but rallied to snatch a 2-2 draw against Lochore Welfare to take their Scottish Junior Cup third round tie to a replay in Fife on Saturday.
This John Cumming Stadium venture was the only cup-tie involving local clubs to overcome the frosty/snowy elements in Lanarkshire, while ties involving Bellshill Athletic and Thorniewood United were postponed.
Forth’s Barry Mcgeechan and Willie Mclaren saw early efforts slip inches wide of the target before James Adam tapped in an Aaron Wood assist in 22 minutes to put the visitors in front.
Five minutes later, Jason Corbett was a lone figure at the back as Adam Haddow burst through in a breakaway, but his effort to stop the striker produced a foul – and a red card!
Mcgeechan headed in a Mclaren corner five minutes before the break, then six minutes after the restart, Ryan Connelly fired Forth in front. Forth thought they had made it 3-2 on the hour, but the goal was chalked off for a foul.
Lochore grabbed the equaliser on the hour when Joe Kinnonmonth steered home from close range an Aaron Wood low cross.
Forth, with substitute Kris Jarvie added to the attack in the closing quarter-hour, pressed hard for a winner but the Fifers’ defence held out.
Manager Jamie Mckenzie said: “I’m pleased we’re still in the cup – but I thought we were disappointing.
“The sending off was a blow. We were in a good position but contrived to throw it away; really angry about that. We have set ourselves a standard, and today I felt we fell below that. Hopefully we can do better next Saturday. I still fancy our chances.”
Forth take to the road this weekend with a replay at Fife, an experience to be shared by Wishaw who make a second attempt against Dundee Downfield, and Shotts Bon Accord, who are bound for Forfar West End.
Bellshill Athletic are at home to Ashfield while Thorniewood United take on East Kilbride Thistle. Saturday, December 9 Scottish Junior Cup, third round: Bellshill Athletic v Ashfield, Dundee Downfield v Wishaw, Forfar West End v Shotts Bon Accord, Thorniewood United v East Kilbridethistle.
Super First Division: Larkhall Thistle v Shettleston.
Central First Division: Neilston v Blantyre Vics.
Central Second Division: Gartcairn v Carluke Rovers, Lanark United v Vale of Leven, Royal Albert v St. Anthony’s (Craighead Park, Lesmahagow).
All games kick-off 1.45pm.
Hopefully we can do better next Saturday. I still fancy our chances