Wishy claim their historic cup victory
Wishaw Juniors ........2 Rob Roy ....................0
Christopher Dodds
Kindlan again had the rule of the left hand wing, taking it past two Rob Roy players before cutting inside and curling past the far post from around 16 yards out midway through the first half.
Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the hosts, with Thomson having to be alert to keep out shots from Gallagher, Watt and Fraser.
Their resilience paid off, as Kindlan broke the deadlock just after the interval. After hounding the visiting defence down the right hand side to rob back possession, he went on a mazy run from around 30 yards out to reach the left hand corner of the box. After taking on four Rob Roy players, he slotted home into the bottom right corner from 18 yards.
The visitors’ day was summed up shortly after when a quick succession of shots was well-defended and the resulting throw-in cleared.
With the game drawing to a close, Paul McGeough sent the ball out wide for Wishy sub Michael Collinder to chase and counter with. He picked the ball up on the left touchline, took it past the Roy defender and found McGuire in the middle of the park.
Despite being all of 40 yards out, he spotted the keeper off his line and proceeded to take it past two defenders before producing the most exquisite chip over the two covering Rob Roy players and into the net; sending the home team and supporters into a frenzy. Club secretary Robert Watson said: “It was an absolutely tremendous day for everyone involved with the club.
“We had around 450 there which is the biggest crowd we’ve ever had at the Beltane by far. They’re a great Wishaw Juniors last reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup on March 30, 1935 after beating local rivals Shotts United. bunch of boys and there’s a lot of close friendships in the team, which is probably why they battle as much as they do.”
Wishaw will find out their semifinal opponents tomorrow after a draw involving Peter Martin and Alan Rough, which can be watched live on PLZ Soccer Facebook at 4.15pm.
Watson added: “In terms of resources we are obviously up against it. There’s only premier league sides left compared to us in essentially the third division.
“It’s very difficult for us to surpise one of the big teams over two legs but we’ll give it our all.
“To get to the semi-finals is already beyond our wildest dreams at the start of the season.”
Rob Roy gaffer Stewart Maxwell, whose side have now been knocked out in the last eight for the second year running, said: “I’m gutted as we have worked so hard to get to get to this position.
“I honestly think the least we deserved was a draw but it wasn’t to be and good luck to Wishaw in the semi-final.”