SFA South Challenge Cup
East
Kilbride kicked off in near Spring-like conditions and it became immediately
obvious that, while played in a good spirit, no quarter was to be given nor
expected. Gretna’s Connor Graham and Dave Wallace were booked within the first
quarter hour and, as play swept back and forward, it was, inevitably, a free
kick that led to the opener. An East Kilbride corner shuttled across the Gretna
goalmouth where Joao Victoria was unmarked to head home for the opener.1-0.
East
Kilbride then seemed to content to let Gretna come on to them, playing skilful
possession football to frustrate the visitors. However both Milligan and
Longcake brought good saves out of Craig Gordon in the Kilbie goal. As one of
the Gretna attacks broke down a long ball was played to Joao Victoria who again
was given too much room and doubled the home sides advantage. 2-0.
Neither
sides enthusiasm was much dented and first Main for Gretna and then Victoria
went into the ref’s notebook; Victoria attempting an overhead kick and catching
Wallace.
No
doubt Stuart Rome had lots to say to his players at half time and the start of
the second half was somewhat delayed as he completed his orations. The game
continued in the same spirit as the first half, play swinging from end to end.
The second half was still young however when debutante Dan Wood sent a pass
like a razor to Scott Milligan who gave Gordon no chance in the East Kilbride
goal, 2-1.
Just
as the healthy travelling Gretna contingent were fuelling hopes of a comeback,
East Kilbride got straight back up the field, forcing Dave Wallace to head over
his own bar. James Brough came up from the Kilbie back line to head home from
the resulting corner. 3-1.
East
Kilbride resumed their possession game with incisive runs up the field. Dan
Wood was somewhat unfortunate to be sent off on his debut, bringing down Martin
McBride when he had a clear scoring opportunity.
Both
sides made substitutions midway through the half, Joe Slattery coming on for
Connor Grant and Joao Victoria making way for Martyn Mclaughlin. Although
Slattery made an immediate impression, what shots Gretna were cobbling together
were more in hope than expectation. Dave Wallace went off for another
debutante, Robert McLean. James Brough was booked after the linesman took
exception to something about his demeanour.
Gretna
again closed the gap on the homesters when Alan Inglis was brought down in the
penalty area by Michael Morris who joined the sizeable company in the Referees
notebook. Iain Anderson scored the resulting penalty. 3-2.
Greig
Thorburn went off for Dylan Neil as Stuart Rome juggled his forces to try to
take something from the game. However the lack of an eleventh man was taking
its toll. Craig Murray in the Gretna goal, another debutante, kept the visitors
in the game with a succession of point blank saves. Darren Addison was booked
as was Dylan Neil who had hardly been on the park. Gavin Lachlan was booked for
a foul on Adam Main that belonged more on the rugby pitch than the football
field.
With
Gretna’s ten men pressing for the equalisor, the ball came to Anthony Brady in
front of Murray’s goal with no one remotely near him. An easy tap in to give
East Kilbride a deserved 4-2 victory.
East Kilbride: Gordon, Howie, Coll,
Morris, Brough, Lachlan, Gormley,
McBride, Victoria (2), Brady, O’Hara Subs Buchanan,
McLaughlin, Giblin, Hastings, McCabe
Gretna FC 2008: Murray, Wood,
Thorburn, Wallace, Inglis, Addison, Longcake, Main, Anderson, Milligan, C Graham Subs: Slattery, D Graham, McAnespie,
Neil, McLean
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