Impressive effort by battling Letham

Letham JFC showed the Midland League what they are capable of on Saturday afternoon.

The Perth side went agonisingly close to picking up three points against league leaders Carnoustie Panmure at Seven Acres.

In fact, Letham raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to an impressive first half display of discipline and clinical finishing.

Alan Cunningham got the ball rolling for the hosts when he sent a looping header from Robbie Green’s cross into the back of the net.

Cunningham, who was captain for the day, then doubled the advantage on 26 minutes.

He was teed-up by striker Mark Shaw and finished well from inside the box.

The home support were enjoying their afternoon and it was about to get better right on the stroke of half-time.

That was when Stephen Mann picked up the ball and launched a “goal of the season contender” in off the post for Letham’s third.

It was a scoreline at the break that would raise more than a few eyebrows across the league.

There was a realisation that Carnoustie would throw everything at the game in the second half to mount a comeback.

The visitors were awarded a 64th minute penalty, which was saved by Nathan Joel Downs but Sam Simpson tucked in the rebound.

Carnoustie had the momentum and grabbed a second of the afternoon when Dale Reid finished smartly inside the box.

It was backs against the wall kind of stuff for Letham but it looked like their brave performance was going to earn them the three points.

With 91 minutes on the clock, however, Robert Smith curled in a free-kick to tie the match up at 3-3.

Despite the late disappointment, it was an afternoon where Letham could be proud of their efforts.

Blairgowrie, meanwhile, took a 27th minute lead against Dundee North End at Davie Park thanks to a goal from Cammy McManus.

But North End hit back after the break, netting twice through Blerti Jacaj and Frankie Devine respectively to win 2-1.

In the Scottish Junior Cup first round, Coupar Angus again welcomed Yoker Athletic after their tie last week was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. Yoker were 2-0 up at the interval and that was how the score would remain come full-time.