Gutted but
Mixed feelings for Blackburn boss as his players lose penalty shoot-out on historical day
BLACKBURN UNITED ..................1 CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS .........1 Blackburn United’s first home Scottish Cup tie ended in heartbreak as they were edged out on penalties by Civil Service Strollers.
The sides couldn’t be separated, with Marley Redfern’s stunning opener for the hosts just before halftime being answered by Jonathan Moffat shortly after the break for the Lowland League outfit.
But United manager Mark Campbell said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of his side as they went down 4-2 on spot-kicks.
He said: “I’m gutted but we’ve drawn against a side in the league above us. I’m incredibly proud of the players.
“Marley’s goal was worthy of winning any game of football. It was outstanding individual brilliance.
“We were hard to break down and defended as a unit fantastically well.
“We wanted the boys to work hard and make it incredibly difficult for them and they did that.”
Strollers started the game in control and a last-ditch clearance from John Drummond prevented an early chance, while Nico Gibson dragged an effort wide and Moffat’s header from a corner was saved by Gavin King in the Blackburn goal.
United grew into the game before a moment of genius on the stroke of half-time gave them the lead.
Redfern collected the ball inside his own half before charging at the Strollers defence and smashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
United’s aim in the second half was to keep themselves in front in the early stages but they were unable to do that as Moffat headed home on 53 minutes.
Both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game after that before a late flurry of activity.
Connor Young fired an effort wide for the visitors before United’s appeals for a penalty were waved away with Laurie Devine being booked. The striker then saw a strike fly just over the bar with the final chance of the 90 minutes.
Neither side looked particularly likely to score in the additional halfhour as the tie went to penalties.
Marty Lawrie confidently fired home United’s first but misses from Brian Ross and David Howie put the Strollers firmly in command.
Gibson’s spot- kick squirmed under King for the decisive goal as United exited the competition.