Grove out of luck and out of cup final

Crieff side impress but cannot find target

A superb strike sunk Grove in a semi-final the Crieff club did not deserve to lose.

The home side went into the West District Cup last four encounter on the back of a superb Perthshire Cup quarter-final success away to Pitlochry outfit Vale of Atholl and some encouraging league form.

Luncarty have been riding high at the top of Perthshire’s second division but Graham Gray’s men made a mockery of the 15 places between the sides in the county standings with another controlled and committed performance.

Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Grove this season and they had to rejig once again. With Dave McKay unavailable, the gloves were passed to Sean Fender.

With skipper Connor Stewart suspended, Campbell Dewar slotted back into the defence and Lee Jack also returned in midfield.

There were a couple of early scares for the home side as the dry and bumpy surface at Strathearn Community Campus caused problems but Grove soon settled and started to carve out chances.

The home midfield quartet of Jack, Dale Robson, Chris McGraw and Lee Roberts made it hard for Luncarty to find any rhythm and also asked more than a few questions of their fancied opponents when going forward.

Grove threatened when Josh Roberts ran on to a ball over the top but could not direct his shot at goal from a tight angle.

Kros Brown looked like he had broken the deadlock with a fine lobbed finish only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Luncarty took the lead with a rare effort on goal when a half-volley sailed into the back of the net from just inside the box after Grove had struggled to clear their lines.

Brown hit the deck inside the box just before the break as the Crieff outfit went in search of an equaliser but, despite loud appeals, the referee waved play on.

The second half saw Grove continue to take the game to Luncarty but they just could not find that final ball or an elusive slice of luck that would have made the difference.

There is still plenty for the club to play for, however, with a Perthshire Cup semi- final against Letham on the horizon as well as a newlyintroduced late-season knockout competition.

Grove return to league action on Saturday with an away fixture at Dunkeld and Birnam, who lie two places below them in ninth place in the third division.

Grove: Fender, Fraser, Cramb, A Welsh, Dewar, L Roberts, McGraw, D Robson, Brown, Jack, J Roberts. Subs: J Robson, M Welsh, Richards, McInally.