The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cup thriller sees Loons march on
FORFAR EVENTUALLY made it through to face St Johnstone by winning an exciting all-Angus William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round replay at Station Park last night, writes Ian Roache.
The Loons grabbed their place in the last 16 with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over their county rivals despite being behind three times.
They now have an appetising tie to look forward to against Saints on either February 8 or 9.
In the shootout, home keeper Rab Douglas saved Jonathan Brown’s first kick then Gavin Malin made it 1-0 to the hosts. Stephen Jackson netted for City, Paul McManus made it 2-1 then Bobb Barr pulled Brechin back level again.
Gary Fusco netted for Forfar, Graham Hay made it 3-3 then Iain Campbell missed for the Loons.
That opened the door to Brechin but Alan Trouten’s kick was saved by Douglas, leaving home substitute Craig Smith to be the hero.
Andy Jackson had grabbed an opener for Brechin before Chris Templeman levelled for the hosts with a header on 19 minutes.
Omar Kader should have made it 2-1 to the home team seconds before the break but his remarkable miss meant the match was finely poised heading into the second half.
A penalty by Trouten edged the visitors ahead on 50 minutes but a strike from Malin ensured an extra half-hour.
Substitute Allan Walker edged Ray McKinnon’s side in front again five minutes into the additional time only forTempleman to haul the hosts level for a third time.
Despite the pre-match worries expressed by boss Dick Campbell, the Loons had all of their injury doubts apart from Dale Hilson fit and ready to go.
After a scrappy start, Brechin took the lead with a beautifully-worked goal on seven minutes.
Steven Robb was the creator with a great run through the middle of the park then a defence-splitting pass that sent Jackson clear.