MEADOW SET UP GRUDGE FINAL OF FINALS

Stewart McConnell 1526 - 1526 • Published 17 Jun 2009 12:44

Evening Times Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final Blantyre Vics 0 Irvine Meadow 1

ON a very slippy pitch due to horrendous rainfall on top of a brick hard surface, Meadow started brightly in this so-called David and Goliath fixture to earn a final place.

The Junior game"s two big guns now go head to head at Newlandsfield Park tomorrow (Thursday) in a sponsors" dream final.

In the fifth minute Richie Barr outstripped Campbell to burst into the box but his effort went harmlessly past a post. Blantyre striker Espener showed why he is attracting a lot of attention when a good move saw Watson set up the lively forward but he mis-timed his shot to allow Michael Wardrope to gather easily.

In what was never a classic match both sides struggled to put on a quality performance although there was plenty of endeavour and energy.

Whilst Meadow just shaded the first half they were unable to break the deadlock against a resolute Vics" rearguard which saw them well led by centre-half Rodgers and goalkeeper Colquhoun.

The second half brightened up with both teams having several opportunities to open the scoring. Meadow opened their account when substitute Paul Hyslop burst down the right wing past McGurgan in the 55th minute and Chris McGowan collected the ball inside the box and stepped round Conroy to send a shot goalwards which deflected into the net off Rodgers who had tried to prevent the goal. The visiting centre-half claimed the goal.

Both sides then went all out for the next goal with good chances being passed up by Barr on two occasions and Brian McGinty while at the other end Blantyre were unlucky not to equalise when a furious period of attacking saw the ball ping-pong around the six-yard box before McGowan eventually cleared the danger.

In the 78th minute Vics keeper Colquhoun had a brilliant save from Zander Ryan and almost immediately thereafter Vics hit the post when Cochrane got the better of Robertson and hit a rasping drive from the edge of the box but the ball sailed past for a goal-kick.

Meadow managed to hold on to their lead on what proved to be a more difficult game than was expected with Chris Robertson outstanding for the Irvine side while Espener was the pick of the bunch for Blantyre.

BLANTYRE VICS: Colquhoun; Campbell, McGurgan, Rodgers, Conroy, Griffin, Watson, Glancy, Reilly, Espener, Cochrane. Subs: Batchelor, Fletcher, McDonach, Bulloch, Coyle.

MEADOW: Wardrope; McLaughlin, Robertson, McGowan, Ryan, Strain, Crilly, Turner, Hamilton, Barr, McLaren. Subs: McGinty, Hyslop, Docherty, McBride, Walker.

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This article appeared in Irvine Times 17 Jun 09

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