Doune denied by hero goalkeeper
DOUNE CASTLE ............................. 1 ST MUNGO’S .................................. 1 (ST MUNGO’S WIN 4-3 ON PENS)
Doune Castle exited the League Cup in dramatic circumstances after a fiercely contested encounter.
In the fifth minute of added time Doune were presented with a golden opportunity to win the tie but St Mungo’s keeper Craig Hayworth brilliantly saved Christopher Macdonald’s spot kick to send the teams to a penalty shootout.
He then produced further heroics in the shootout, saving two further penalties to take his side into the quarter-finals.
Doune’s best effort in an even first half was a backward header from Niall McClure minutes before the break that looked to have given Doune the breakthrough. The referee disallowed the goal, harshly ruling McClure had impeded the keeper.
St Mungo’s took a 1-0 lead after 57 minutes following a soft penalty award.
There seemed little, if no contact, when Tam Nelson blocked an attacker at the left edge of the area. St Mungo’s took full advantage, sending Callum Davison the wrong way with an assured finish.
Doune made it 1-1 after 75 minutes with a tremendous goal.
David Innes, Niall McClure, Lukasz Duszynski and Alan Inglis were all involved as they created an opening for Andy Innes and he unleashed a ferocious strike from 25 yards that flew past Hayworth and high into the net.
With the game deep into added time, Doune were awarded a penalty when Macdonald was brought crashing to the ground after he had reached the ball ahead of the St Mungo’s centre back.
Macdonald saw Hayworth pull off a wonderful save to prevent what would surely have been the winning goal. The referee immediately blew for time. At 1-1 the game went straight to penalties.
McClure, Nelson and David Innes all converted for Castle. Callum Davison played his part, too, with a wonderful block to save the fourth penalty.
However, once again, Hayworth was the St Mungo’s hero. He saved Doune’s first attempt to deny Alan Inglis.
And then he secured a 4-3 shoot out win when he dived full-length to save Doune’s final spot kick from Andy Innes.
Doune were left disappointed to have lost the tie, especially in such dramatic circumstances, but can take much from what otherwise was a strong, team performance.
Doune Castle: Davison, McRae, Paterson, Nelson, D Innes, Gillespie (Smith), Hurst (A Innes), Duszynski, Inglis, Macdonald, McClure. Subs not used: Macfarlane, Brough