Rampant Thorn are up for the cup
Squad make history as they march into quarter-finals
Craig Ritchie
Thorn Athletic stormed into the Scottish Amateur Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history after a sensational 3-1 win in Dundee.
The Johnstone side dumped much- fancied Midlands AFA outfit Douglas Athletic at a wet Powrie Park in Fintry to book a coveted last-eight berth against Ayrshire big guns Shortlees.
Goals from Tom Smith, Jamie White and Paul Young left Thorn just two matches away from a dream date at Hampden Park.
Douglas had already seen off holders Colville Park earlier in the competition and clearly fancied their chances again on their home patch.
Thorn – who have been drawn away in every round so far – were coming off the back of two league defeats but knew that a good performance would give them a chance.
Manager James Donnelly drafted in goalkeeper Sean Patrick less than 24 hours before the biggest game of the season with first-choice stopper Liam McWilliams ruled out with a hand injury.
Shaun Kelly and Mark McHendry were both cup-tied with striker Craig McMahon ruled out through work commitments.
But a strong squad travelled to Tayside in the hope of keeping the club’s cup hopes alive.
And despite having to change at a sports centre more than three miles away from the pitch, Thorn made a strong start.
White’s cross from the left was turned into the net by Smith’s outstretched leg after just five minutes.
The home side have rarely found themselves behind this season and frustration was creeping in early on. It boiled over after 20 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men after one of their players made an attempt to head-butt Stuart McCann.
A few more chances fell Thorn’s way before the break but they had to settle for a narrow 1-0 lead at half-time.
Worse was to follow for Douglas after the break when a reckless tackle on skipper Ryan Crawford as he broke through saw them reduced to nine men.
White, who was earlier the provider for Smith, then turned scorer himself after he cut in and unleashed a shot past the keeper.
Douglas could see their cup dream slip away and rallied as they cracked the woodwork from a free-kick.
Not long after they secured a lifeline with an absolute screamer of a strike that made it 2-1 with around 15 minutes to go.
It was all set up for a grandstand finish – and it was duly delivered by stalwart Young in his trademark style.
Thorn were awarded a freekick 25-yards from goal.
And Young, who had incurred the wrath of the home bench in the run-up, expertly curled the ball round the wall and past the keeper.
That sparked wild celebrations among the travelling support and clearly irked the home side.
After the restart Young was the subject of a thigh-high lunge before the blows rained in from all quarters and the ref battled to regain control.
When order was finally restored with just seconds remaining the whistler called.
Boss Donnelly said: “The boys showed tremendous character and spirit to win through against one of the competition’s most fancied teams.
“That’s seven consecutive away draws so we are clearly on a tough journey.
“I was delighted for everyone involved with the club.”
The quarter-final is scheduled for March 24.
The boys showed tremendous character and spirit to win through