Draw sees Grove book their weekend trip up north

Strathearn Grove will have another shot at Scottish Cup glory on Saturday after a stirring comeback against Newburgh.

After knocking out Crieff rivals Vale of Earn in the last round of the national amateur competition, the Braidhaugh side earned a third round replay in Aberdeenshire after bouncing back from a two-goal deficit in last weekend’s tie.

Grove rode their luck in the first half against the side that currently tops Aberdeenshire’s Division Two (North), but second half goals from Kros Brown and substitute Josh Roberts – following an earlier penalty converted by Brown – kept their interest in the Scottish alive for at least another week.

There was a pre-match boost for Graham Gray’s men with Ali Grant stepping back in between the posts, and his experience was to prove vital on the day.

Newburgh started the November 5 tie in sparkling fashion, winning a series of corners, and it was no real surprise when a set piece edged them ahead.

After a few threatening flag kicks, another precision corner was nodded on and clinically headed home from close range.

Newburgh clearly enjoyed a height advantage on the day and they were prepared to exploit this, with another headed effort coming back off a post shortly after they went ahead.

A scud fired in from just outside the box forced Grant into a magnificent tip over to prevent the visitors stretching their advantage, but hesitation in the Crieff ranks was to prove costly after 35 minutes.

When another effort came back off the home side’s woodwork the Newburgh striker rose unchallenged to nod the rebound into the back of the net for the simplest of goals.

However, Grove received a massive lift when some clumsy defending resulted in Brown being pulled down in the box and the Grove striker confidently fired home the resultant penalty kick.

Newburgh immediately went back on the attack and right on half- time they were awarded a penalty of their own after Grove’s left-back Lee Roberts was penalised for a challenge inside the area.

The spot-kick was clipped home to make it 3-1 just as it looked as if Grove had found a way back into the contest.

All was not lost however, and a fine solo effort from midfield dynamo Jamie Henry almost reduced the arrears early in the second half.

Newburgh continued to threaten mainly from set pieces, although Grant had to look lively to turn a low drive round the post.

However, as the game went on it was increasingly being played in the visitors’ half and Grove saw a live chance to take something from the proceedings when they pulled a goal back on 70 minutes.

Some determined play from Henry on the left flank gave him time to pick out a cross and when he fired the ball low to the back post there was the prolific Brown to slot it home.

It was game on again and Grove looked like they knew there was a reward in it for them.

A fine four-man move almost did the trick only for Chris McGraw’s shot to narrowly miss the target.

But ,with time running out, Grove found the third goal they needed.

This time Brown proved to be the provider, when he unselfishly cut the ball back for substitute forward Josh Roberts to finish from close range when he could have taken a shot on himself.

It was a deserved equaliser for Grove who will be setting off early on Saturday to make the journey north.

The replay at the coastal village 14 miles north of Aberdeen kicks off at 1.30pm.

Grove: Ali Grant, Ross Cramb, Lee Roberts, Sean Fender, Josh Robson, Dale Robson, Mike Welsh, Calum Fraser, Chris McGraw, Jamie Henry, Kros Brown. Subs: Rory Smith, Scott Richards, Josh Roberts, Dave McKay, Diogo Esteves.