CUP DREAMS STILL INTACT
Balmoral Utd see off Primrose to progress to next round
Balmoral United secured a place in the next round of the North of Tay Cup with a 3-2 victory over Auchterarder Primrose
on Saturday.
The Davie Park encounter was one of only a handful of fixtures to take place at the weekend as a result of the wet weather and negotiations over kick-off times.
Ross Ewan scored twice for the home side, while Cameron Macdonald was also on target for Alan Kermath’s men.
The hosts started well on the artificial surface and played some good football in the opening exchanges.
Balmoral went ahead in the 10th minute when Craig McFadden played a wonderful pass with the outside of his boot
to release Ewan. The striker went on to round the keeper and slot the ball home.
Auchterarder responded around 10 mins later when a poorly-timed tackle led to a penalty and Keiran Twaddell
made it 1-1. Visitors Primrose then took the lead shortly before the break when Twaddell managed to dribble his way through the home defence and finish well.
With the score 2-1 to Primrose
at half-time, Balmoral started the second half well and won a penalty of their own a few minutes after the restart.
Ewan was on target from 12 yards to net what was his 19th goal of a productive season.
Both sides created chances over the course of what was a competitive afternoon.
Balmoral forged ahead with 10 minutes remaining when a corner by Robbie Pol was whipped to the back post.
Ewan headed the ball towards goal and Macdonald got the all important flick-on to lift it over the keeper and make it 3-2.
Balmoral comfortably saw out the game, despite being forced to defend a few long balls into the box.
Afterwards, Balmoral boss Kermath said: “It was a great result after going behind. We showed determination to fight back.
“All the best to Auchterarder for the remainder of the season and we thank them for coming to The Balmoral afterwards.”