Final countdown for leading pair
Gartocharn and Blanefield cup tussle looms
This season’s MacGregor Ferguson Cup final will feature Blanefield Thistle and Gartocharn after two tough semi-finals.
Instead of sweeping Buchlyvie away, Gartocharn had to rely on a single goal from Gregor Mitchell to see them through, while in the other match a late goal by Blanefield’s Stuart Linning sealed a 2-0 win over Thornhill. Mark Linning gave Thistle the lead in the first half. The match will be at Gartocharn on Friday, June 15. Deanston made their long-awaited first appearance of the year at Aberfoyle and showed that they will make their mark in the James D Bilslandsponsored Forth and Endrick League this summer.
By half-time they had taken a 5-1 lead and although Rob Roy pulled one back in the second half, any team winning 5-2 win at Aberfoyle can be well satisfied.
They carried on from there by taking the points in a well contested game at Balfron.
The first half hour was wide open and then Al Smith was responsible for a seven-minute blitz that shook Balfron.
He scored two great solo goals in 31 and 35 minutes and three minutes later set up Alan Inglis for a third.
Balfron worked hard to get back into the game and five minutes into the second half Martin Ross passed to Ross MacKenzie who cleverly clipped the ball past the keeper. After that they put in a great effort to close the 3-1 gap but lacked the guile up front to beat a solid defence.
A road closure scuppered the chances of either Gartocharn or Gargunnock exerting more pressure on league leaders Blanefield.
In the meantime Blanefield made their task of catching up a bit harder with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Aberfoyle thanks to Mark Linning (2). Stuart Linning and Cammy Smith.
Buchlyvie had their first win on the field when they took on and beat Killearn by 3-2.
Tonight (Friday) leaders Blanefield travel to second-placed Gartocharn in a precursor to their MacGregor Ferguson Cup final next weekend.
Killearn are home to Balfron and Deanston meet Thornhill while Buchlyvie tackle Aberfoyle.
On Tuesday Blanefield are away to Thornhill, Gartocharn, Gargunnock and Balfron all have home games and will expect to take the points at the expense of Aberfoyle, Buchlyvie and Drymen respectively. Results Friday, June 1 League - Aberfoyle Rob Roy 2-5 Deanston. MacGregor Ferguson Cup semi-finals - Blanefield Thistle 2-0 Thornhill; Gartocharn 1-0 Buchlyvie Utd. Tuesday, June 5 League - Balfron Rovers 1-3 Deanston; Blanefield Thistle 4-0 Aberfoyle Rob Roy; Buchlyvie Utd 3-2 Killearn; Gartocharn v Gargunnock (postponed). Fixtures Friday, June 8 (kick-off 7pm) League - Aberfoyle Rob Roy v Buchlyvie Utd; Deanston v Thornhill; Gartocharn v Blanefield Thistle; Killearn v Balfron Rovers. Tuesday, June 12 (kick-off 7.30pm): League - Balfron Rovers v Drymen United; Gargunnock v Buchlyvie Utd; Gartocharn v Aberfoyle Rob Roy; Thornhill v Blanefield Thistle.