AMATEUR FOOTBALL

DOUGLAS TAKE HOLDERS’ SCALP Midlands Football enjoyed its best day since those provided by Riverside Athletic in the 80s and 90s when the dynamic Douglas Athletic knocked out holders Colville Park in the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup on Saturday, writes our Amateur Correspondent.

Colville were trying to equal the record of three consecutive victories in the competition set by Murrayfield Racers between 1928-31, but it was not to be.

With the freeze postponing most local matches it was hard to find a decent spectator’s spot in the GA Arena with the Dundee side bringing early Christmas cheer to the locals with the only goal of the game on the 75th minute mark.

Lyall Murdoch chased a long ball through the middle and, although the visitors’ full-back was favourite to clear, Murdoch got his challenge in sufficiently enough to create a coming together that ended with the ball looping over the visitors’ keeper. Yet it seemed a different outcome at the start with the Central Scottish Amateur Football League side knocking the ball about in confident fashion.

But things evened out as the game progressed with Athletic looking dangerous in front of goal, especially when they broke from deep.

Key to their win was the form of Sam Morris in their goal who had seven or eight outstanding saves in the second half.

It would be remiss not to mention that the winners had chances as well, especially near the end, but they did not need another to ensure safe passage – a magnificent result. Team boss Bob McKenzie said: “Yes Sam was immense on Saturday. They had most of the possession but we always looked dangerous on the counter”. After beating Morgan Academy FPs in the semi-final of the Fairfield Cup, Craigie 3G enabled the managerial rivalry between the FPs and Menzieshill AFC to be tested once more but this time in the Premier.

Again it was the champions that had the upper hand winning 6-2 in a good contest. Goals within the first five minutes of both halves was the FPs’ Achilles heel.

The losers had a decent second half spell at 3-1 and should have pulled it back to 3-2 when they had the best chance of the game. However, a further setback right afterwards closed the door on any comeback.

Braces from Kevin Egan and Sean Tucker and singles from Paul Allan and Mike Cavin kept the scheme side in charge, while a double from Connor Kennedy kept the score respectable.

The only other match played was in Division 1 with Lowson United beating Arbroath Harp 2-1 after reversing their home game to Arbroath. Liam Godfrey got the Forfar side’s first with last weekend’s Scottish penalty hero Scott Fullerton again converting from the spot to keep his team’s promotion chances alive.