A WIN WORTH WAITING FOR
Wishaw boss Brogan hails delayed replay victory
Wishaw Juniors made sure their delayed Scottish Junior Cup replay was worth the wait after smashing Dundee Downfield at Beltane Park.
It took 10 weeks for the third-round tie to finally be completed, after snow, ice and rain continuously postponed the match but the constant call-offs didn’t hamper the home side, who battered their Tayside visitors 5-1.
Manager John Brogan said he was “delighted” with his side’s performance, having been out of action for so long.
He is now readying his side for a fourthround tie on Saturday against league rivals Forth Wanderers.
“It was a great result for us. We were playing into a strong wind in the first half but we dealt with that well to stay at one all before totally dominating the second,” he said.
“We’re glad to see the back of the tie to be honest and now we’re looking forward to the next one.
“It’s great to have it down at the Beltane and hopefully we can carry the momentum on from this win.”
Having been inactive for much of the last few weeks, both sides started slowly with passing football at a premium.
The visitors crafted the first chance, with midfielder Colquhoun making a surging run before firing wide from the edge of the area.
Wishy’s first effort came from a Kindlan cross wide on the right. It was cleared to McCafferty but his unconvincing strike was cleared to safety.
After 16 minutes, the hosts took the
lead le as defender Duffy headed home at the back post p from a corner.
That lead only lasted five minutes, as Downfield h hit back immediately after a long throw-in found C Connell in the box. His shot was saved by Sandy Thomson but the keeper could not stop Davidson scoring from the rebound.
On the half hour the home side survived a real s scare when Duell hit a free-kick from 20 yards out. The ball looked to be covered by Thomson but he could only parry it onto the bar before the defence h hacked clear, keeping the scores level at half-time.
Wishaw came out stronger in the second half, a and with the wind behind them retook the lead o on the hour mark from the penalty spot.
A Downfield defender was adjudged to have h handled in the box, and Vinnie McGuire made n no mistake firing low into the left hand corner.
The hosts were in no mood to let the lead slip again, and minutes later McGuire grabbed his second with a fine finish high into the net.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Wishy were g gifted another penalty when Kindlan went down under the keeper’s challenge. McGuire sealed his hat-trick with ease, notching his 22nd goal in the process.
Downfield’s Nene saw red from the referee after his complaints failed to have the desired effect, and with five minutes to go sub Collinder tapped over the line to seal a fine performance for the home side.
On striker McGuire’s performance, manager Brogan said: “He’s a good strong stiker and we are always confident when he was stepping up to take the penalties.
“It was a good team performance though and we’ll be looking for the same on Saturday.”
With no injury concerns, Wishaw Juniors will meet Forth Wanderers in the next round on Saturday at The Beltane.
Match ball sponsor was Gareth’s Snack Shack on Kitchener Street, Wishaw.