S.L.F.L. Cup
Gretna FC (2008) 1 (0)
A.Inglis(79)
Threave Rovers. 0 (0)
Threave got the game under way on
a very cold winters afternoon but soon found themselves pinned back in their
own half as Gretna pressed for an early goal.
Brandon Longcake attracted the
attention of several markers having enjoyed teasing the Threave defence in a
previous meeting at Meadow Park earlier this month. Indeed most of the home
sides attacks came down the left with Joe Slattery operating on the opposite
wing.
First chance for the home side
came in opening minute when Scott Milligan put Longcake clear in behind the
Threave defence but Vinnie Parker forced the Gretna winger into an early shot
which was just the wrong side of the post.
Minutes later Iain Anderson fired across
the Threave goal just missing the far post. Slattery then had a goal bound
effort blocked and turned behind for a corner as the home side continued to
dominate.
Jonny Blake got in behind the
Threave defence when he linked up with Slattery down the right wing, his cross
was met on the volley by Milligan but his shot was well over Parker's crossbar.
In the 15th. minute Threave had
there first chance when Colin Kay crossed into the Gretna box where Jamie
Struthers out jumped Dave Wallace but his header was off target. Adam Main had
a 25 yard effort saved on the line by Parker while at the other end Graham
Wright comfortably saved a long range effort by Greig Goodwin. Gretna had the
larger majority of possession but were unable to convert into goals. Threave
were defending deep inside their half and offered little in attack. Just before
the interval Slattery blazed a shot wide from 20 yards through a packed penalty
area. H/T 0-0.
The second half began with the
home side on the attack and twice in quick succession Parker denied Slattery at
point blank range much to the disappointment of the young Gretna forward.
Threave looked as though they
would hit Gretna on the counter but Wright was in no mood to concede and was
instrumental in delivering quick ball for his midfield to attack. One long
throw out found Main on half way which resulted in the Gretna midfielder
bursting through the Threave defence, unfortunately his shot was straight into
the arms of Parker.
Play became a little bit untidy
with both teams surrendering possession easily, on 65 minutes Gretna manager
Stuart Rome made his first substitution , Sam Atkinson on for Greig Thorburn.
With a reshuffle of his defence
Atkinson instantly became chief provider down the right wing. In the 75th
minute Gretna were awarded a free kick after a poor challenge by Kay on
Longcake around 25 yards from goal. Alan Inglis' free kick almost knock out
Goodwin who was part of the Threave wall. In the 79th.minute an Atkinson out
swinging corner in around the penalty spot saw Wallace rise above the Threave
defence to head onto Inglis who in turn looped his well flighted header beyond
Parker and into the top corner of the net, 1-0.
Rome made his final substitutions
with Nick Cassidy and Danny Graham replacing the hard working pair of Adam Main
and Joe Slattery.
Final score Gretna 1 Threave 0,
the result means Gretna move into the next round of the cup.
Gretna FC(2008) :
G.Wright, J.Blake, G.Thorburn,
D.Wallace, A.Inglis, D.Addison, B.Longcake, A.Main, I.Anderson, S.Milligan,
J.Slattery. Subs:
Threave Rovers :
V.Parker, C.Kay, K.Roan, S.Wilby,
L.Patterson, A.Forsyth, G.Goodwin, C.Docherty, R.Parker, J.Struthers, I.Miller.
Subs: S.Milligan, D.Few, K.Jackson, A.Donley.
