Four-goal Cunningham puts Mallaig into cup semi-final
Portree Juniors 2 Mallaig 5 GF MacRae Cup – quarter final
MALLAIG progressed to the semi-finals of the GF MacRae Cup on Saturday after an impressive away win at Portree.
In tough conditions the first half, Mallaig made the breakthrough when Andy Cunningham stepped up to slot home a penalty past the keeper to give the advantage to Mallaig.
Mallaig’s second goal came after some good work down the left between Marc MacLean and debutant Mariu only to be finished off on the half volley by Cunningham to get his and Mallaig’s second of the game.
The away side managed a third before half-time, again after some a good passage of play down the left flank, forcing two saves from the Portree goalkeeper before fans’ favourite James McQueen drilled the ball home to make it 3-0.
Portree Juniors started the second half much better having two great chances to pull themselves back into the game and when both of these chances passed, you got the feeling it would be Mallaig’s day.
The Lochaber side managed a fourth goal with Macnaughton breaking from midfield only to be fouled in the box for a penalty which Andy Cunningham coolly slotted away to complete his hattrick and make it 4-0.
Portree Juniors didn’t stop working all game and, even when reduced to 10 men, they kept fighting. Mallaig became slack at the back and handed Portree two goals after poor defensive mistakes.
Between the Portree Juniors’ goals, Andy Cunningham scored his fourth and Mallaig’s fifth with a spectacular finish. Cunningham fired in a shot from distance, and at a difficult angle, right into the top corner, leaving the keeper completely stranded. That goal rounded off a man-of-match performance for four-goal Cunningham.
Mallaig return to action on Saturday May 19 against Sleat and Strath in the GF MacRae cup semi-final at home.
The club also announced Jaimie Young as club captain for the season.