Glencairn pay the penalty in Cup exit
It looked likely that the Glens were going to overcome Premiership opposition, however a late equaliser saw the visitors force a penalty shoot-out which saw the local tumble out of the only cup they’ve never won.
It was a highly significant afternoon for club captain Tony Fraser, as he made his 250th competitive appearance for the Rutherglen men.
Mark Burbidge beat McLellan in the opening minute but his shot clipped the outside of the post before Glencairn’s response saw Kris Gebbie’s cross just too far in front of Jordan Leyden.
Glencairn took the lead in the 22nd minute as Kris Gebbie stepped up to drill a free kick through the defensive wall, with a slight deflection beating the goalkeeper.
It was all action in the 29th minute as Ryan Hynes was brought down by Glencairn goalkeeper Scott McLellan, but Michael Byrne passed up the chance to equalise as he pulled his penalty kick wide of the target.
The Glens were controlling the game, and Fraser’s inswinging free kick was stabbed just wide by Stevie Kerr, while another free kick just before the half time whistle saw Fraser test Wilton with a low shot.
The Glens should have doubled their lead inside the opening minute of the second half. Gormley ran through on goal and dribbled round Wilton, only to lose his balance and slice the ball off target. The crowd sensed that one goal might not be enough, and their nerves were heightened when another chance was missed.
A cross from the right saw two home players get in each other’s way, and Tam Miller couldn’t convert at the back post.
Stevie Kerr’s header was saved on the goal line, and the importance of that save became clearer only a minute later as Kilbirnie forced an equaliser.
A cross was deflected kindly to David Gray, and the substitute forced the ball over the line from point blank range.
Glencairn looked to try to win the game again, and Simeon’s run and cross was cut out by McGuiness, before the same man rescued Ladeside in injury time as he made an interception to deny Gary Smith.
The match moved into the penalty shoot-out, and misses by Smith and Gebbie proved costly as Ladeside scored four in a row to move into round three.
Team : McLellan, Gebbie, Miller, Donaldson, Stevie Kerr, Fraser, Leyden (Mitchell), Esplin, Gormley (Smith), Simeon, McKay (McArdle). (Subs not used - McGregor, McGuire.)