AmAteur footbAll

SWEET REVENGE FOR DOUGLAS Douglas Athletic avenged last weekend’s extra time loss to Menzieshill AFC in the Fairfield Sports and Leisure Cup final by defeating their hosts 2-0 in the third round of the Bremner Cup on Saturday, writes our Amateur correspondent.

In a game of fine margins, Lyall Murdoch and Steve Martin netted the goals that saw Bob McKenzie’s side through.

Unlike last week Hill’s downfall was failing to grasp the good opportunities that fell to them. Nevertheless, another close encounter was served up for the spectators.

In the same cup, but at the first round stage, Lochee United defeated Newport 3-0.

In the Buckman Mackie Trophy, Broughty United got the better of neighbours Barnhill with a 4-2 victory. United went 3-0 up but the visitors fought back to within a goal before the home side bagged another late on.

Marc McGuire, Steven Howie, Ryan Carling and Ewan Gunn got the winners’ goals.

In the other scheduled Buckman Mackie tie, Merpro will likely progress as Logie Harp failed to raise a team.

The Gray Trophy match between Lowson United and Montrose AFC was of particular interest.

With only four Division 1 league games left, Montrose look nailed on to lift the title with Lowson struggling to catch up with their league fixtures because of their extraordinary cup runs.

So, a 4-0 win for the Forfar side endorsed their improvement from the season’s start when results did not go their way.

Keiron Crichton, Dean Fletcher and a Scott Fullerton brace with no reply said it all.

In the Premier League Tayside Fire Brigade had to pull out all the stops to get the better of lowly Invergowrie by 6-4. A Sean Hearn hat-trick, a brace from Tom Casey and a Steve Hay strike settled things for the Firies.

The game was fairly balanced at 4-3 in the Brigade side’s favour at half-time, but a goal right after the break made it 5-3 before Gowrie added a fourth.

The contest was settled with a further goal for the visitors but not until the last 10 minutes. Craig Stewart, Ben Fraser and Gary Fraser (2) were the village side’s marksmen.

The Morgan Academy FP v Carnoustie Panmure YM game might have been closer had the school side not squandered the handful of chances they created, while YM taught the losers a lesson in clinical finishing.

Michael Fotheringham (2), Fraser Sturrock (2), Graeme McLeish and Zyad Bjeirmi bagged the Gowfers’ six goals, with Jason Alexander and Connor Kennedy getting the FPs’ two goals. In the only other Premier match played, league leaders St James lost out 2-1 to Portcullis – certainly the biggest shock of the day. Defending well and countering quickly was the key to Port’s success. Ahead 1-0 at half time through Corey Towns, the James boys evened things up before Mark Fotheringham grabbed the winner with five minutes to go.

This was three great points for a side fighting to stay in the Premier League.