The draw for the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup will take place at Hampden this morning and clubs from the ranks of the Juniors, South of Scotland and Highland League will be in the hat alongside the more glamorous names from the SPL and all three SFL Divisions.
Saturday’s sixteen ties produced shocks, a host of controversial incidents, no goalless matches, with a very healthy total of 62 goals being scored, and three ties that require replays next Saturday.
Second Division Alloa produced the result of the day as they knocked out First Division leaders, and last season’s semi-finalists, Raith Rovers 4-2 at Recreation Park.
The Kirkcaldy men started well and it was no surprise when John Baird headed them in front after 27 minutes, however a three minute spell just before half time swung the game the way of the Wasps. Alloa midfielder Kevin McDonald fired in a free-kick on 41 minutes to draw the home side level and within a minute the former Airdrie United man shot home from 18 yards to put his side in front.
The roof began to fall in further on John McGlynn’s side as Willie Dyer was dismissed for picking up his second yellow card just seconds later and the game was out of reach when Stuart Noble shot home after David McGurn had beaten out a David Gormley shot three minutes into the second half. McDonald completed his hat-trick before Mark Ferry volleyed in a late consolation for the Fifers.
Alloa boss Allan Maitland said, “I am absolutely delighted as it was a magnificent performance. Raith had the better of the opening half hour and we got a break when Billy Gibson kicked one off our line at one nil down but those few minutes before half time changed everything. I could not wait for the half time whistle so I could get everybody in and calm them down as we knew then that we had a real chance of winning against ten men if we kept our heads.”
Maitland added, “The boys listened and within a few minutes we had scored a third. I am delighted for Kevin McDonald as he had a hard time at Airdrie United before he joined us but he showed today what a good player he is.”
Stark’s Park boss McGlynn said, “We had a great start but we failed to take control after we scored and that let Alloa back into things. We went from being ahead and comfortable to 2-1 behind and a man down very quickly and Alloa got a massive lift from that.”
“They got a few breaks, it was their day and it is the first real kick in the teeth we have taken this season.”
Peterhead, who have spent most of the season fighting it out at the wrong end of the Second Division, also knocked out a First Division side as they defeated Cowdenbeath 2-0 at Balmoor. Ryan Strachan hit home a fine opening goal just before half time with substitute Neil McVitie making it two just after to leave Blue Toon boss Neale Cooper beaming, “That was a very good hard working performance against a good First Division side. It is nice to be going into a happy dressing room at full time for a change.”
Blue Brazil manager Jimmy Nicholl said, “We gave away goals far too easily and never put their goalkeeper under pressure. Peterhead raised their game and we were poor.”
Elgin produced the final shock of the day as they defeated Second Division leaders Livingston 2-1 at Borough Briggs.
The Black and Whites had been under pressure from their visitors, however Craig Gunn was handily placed to fire in a Brain Cameron cross on 61 minutes to give them the lead.
It looked like Livi would get back into things 12 minutes later when whistler Hilland pointed to the spot when Craig Barr fell in the home box. The decision was changed with Barr booked for simulation on the advice of an assistant, and it looked like the Lions had got over the decision when Iain Russell levelled sixty seconds later from a tight angle.
With 13 minutes left Lions goalkeeper Tony Bullock and centre half Cameron MacDonald got into a fankle and Jason Crooks rolled the ball into the unguarded net to send Ross Jack’s side through.
Jack said afterwards, “A great day for everyone connected with Elgin and hopefully it will convince more people in the area they have a team worth coming out to support. The players were magnificent and I am delighted.”
West Lothian boss Gary Bollan lamented, “We lost the game through our own efforts and the mistakes we made. I asked the referee why he changed his mind and he said his assistant was better placed but that decision did not win or lose us the game.”
Sunnybank boss Tom McPherson was another unhappy Junior boss as his nine man side went down 5-0 at Ayr United. On-loan Partick Thistle player Stuart Bannigan lobbed in the first goal just before half time with Mark Roberts adding a crucial second from the penalty spot right on half time.
Roberts added another penalty in the second half before the visiting Willie Steel and Steve Bartlett were both dismissed in the space of 60 seconds. Andy Rodgers enhanced the scoreline with a headed fourth goal and then an over head kick for the fifth.
It was a case of job done for home boss Brain Reid who advised, “We had a few injury problems and it was a banana skin of a tie, however the boys stuck to the job in a professional way.”
Partick Thistle won the only all First Division tie as they defeated hosts Stirling Albion 3-1 with all the goals coming in the second half. Paul Cairney fired the Jags ahead after 58 minutes with Albion levelling through Gordon Smith a quarter of an hour later.
Substitutes Simon Donnelly and Martin Grehan ended thoughts of a replay with goals in the last four minutes to leave Firhill boss Ian McCall beaming, “We deserved to win and were well on top apart from a daft five minute period.”
Stirling boss John O’Neill lamented, “Thistle took their chances and we didn’t.”
Last season’s finalists Ross County, under the guidance of Craig Brewster, did what was expected of them by seeing off Deveronvale 4-1 in Dingwall.
Defender Gary Miller sent them on their way just before the half hour mark with Andy Barrowman firing in a second before half time. The Highland League side had a couple of chances before Steven Craig made it three with substitute Mike McKenzie grabbing a goal from the Banff side from the penalty spot with 12 minutes left. The home side’s Paul Lawson was sent off for picking up his second yellow card before Barrowman completed the scoring for the ten men.
Interim boss Brewster said, “We were in a bit of a no win situation as we were expected to go through but full credit to the boys as they played some terrific stuff. Our second goal in particular is what Ross County is all about playing good football and then finishing in style.”
First Division Morton are also through after defeating Dumbarton 2-1 at Strathclyde Homes Stadium, although Allan Moore’s men did it the hard way by going a goal behind and ending the game with only ten players. The Sons took the lead after 10 minutes when Andy Geggan nodded in Alan Cook’s corner with the Greenock men grabbing a leveller just before half time when Brian Graham finished off a Graeme Holmes cross in fine style with a header.
Graham fired home the winner on 49 minutes when he despatched home a shot from Stewart Kean’s low cross. A grandstand finish was ensured when David MacGregor was judged to have brought down Jon McShane with 14 minutes to go to pick up a second booking, however the home side could not force an equaliser.
Mooresaid, “We are through that is the main thing although we made it difficult for ourselves. I told the players to respect Dumbarton but at times it looked like they had forgotten that.”
Interim Dumbarton boss Alan Adamson was left to rue a missed chance by Ross Campbell when his side were in front saying, “If Ross had scored and we had reached the interval two ahead I reckon we would have went on to win through.”
East Fife defeated Forfar 3-1 in the only all Second Division clash at New Bayview with Robert Sloan and Craig Johnstone setting them on their way ahead of half time with Stevie Hislop adding a third before Andy Tod grabbed a small crumb of comfort for the Loons.
The Fifers boss John Robertson said, “I had asked the boys to play with a bit of style and a smile on their faces and that is what they did. I am delighted to be through and unlike the Director’s at the club I do not want a big name in the next round, I want a tie where we have a good chance of progressing even further.”
Forfar boss Dick Campbell growled, “Fair play to East Fife as they deserved to go through, although they will not get an easier game all season. We were poor.”
Brechin City let Third Division Annan Athletic back into things twice at Glebe Park with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. David McKenna gave City a first half lead with Aaron Muirhead levelling with a well struck free kick 7 minutes into the second half.
McKenna restored Brechin’s lead only for Bryan Gilfillan to force a re-match at Galabank when he headed in.
Despite coming back twice manager Harry Cairney was disappointed saying, “I felt we deserved to win as we had loads of possession and chances.”
Brechin’s assistant manager Kevin McGowne agreed saying, “Annan deserved at least a draw as they looked the likelier team throughout.”
Second Division Stenhousemuir had at least a foot and a half through the exit door against Threave until an injury time strike from Alex Williams earned them a replay when he made it 2-2. The South of Scotland side led at half time thanks to Philip Middlemiss’ goal and when captain Sam Warren made it two 11 minutes into the second half dreams of a glamour tie in the next round looked to be coming to fruition.
Andy Stirling pulled a goal back midway through the second half and Williams restored parity with almost the last kick of the game.
Warriors boss John Coughlin said, “I am not sure if we deserved that as some of our players just never turned up.”
Visiting manager David McVittie advised, “To be denied right at the end is hard to take but in saying that I would have taken a draw before the start.”
Third Division sides held their nerve against lower league opponents with Stranraer, Montrose, East Stirling and Berwick Rangers seeing off Junior, East of Scotland and Highland League sides.
The host Stair Park side defeated neighbours Girvan 4-2 with Scott Agnew cancelling out an early Michael Moffat goal for the visitors from the penalty spot and Craig Malcolm putting the Blues ahead by half time. Declan Gallagher headed in a third only for the Juniors to get back into things when Craig Connel scored.
Malcolm grabbed his second to see Stranraer sail through the to the next round with his manager Keith Knox far from pleased saying, “All credit to Girvan as they almost took advantage of a shocking performance from us. They played really, really well.”
Opposite number Brain McCluckie was upbeat saying, “We played well and leave here with our heads held high.”
Montrose also came from a goal down to defeat Whitehill Welfare 3-1 at Links Park with Paul Tosh netting their first two goals from the penalty spot after Jordan Hall had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Gordon Pope sealed the win with manager Steven Tweed saying, “The important thing was to stay calm after they scored and we did that.”
Welfare had Alan Cornet sent off when Tosh made it 2-1 just before the break and their manager Paul Cavanagh was none too pleased saying, “We were on the wrong end of two really bad decisions.”
East Stirling’s youngsters proved they had character as they came back from Spartans with a 2-1 win in a tie that many had predicted would see an upset.
Paul Weaver edged Jim McInally’s men in front just before the break and the ‘Shire stayed strong despite the loss of an equaliser when Keith McLeod netted. David Dunn fired home the winner from a free kick with 20 minutes left to leave assistant head coach David Nicholls beaming, “We were really professional and avoided the upset that some people thought would happen. We were concerned how the boys would react when Spartans equalised and I have to say that our players responded magnificently.”
Spartans boss Mickey Lawson said, “They scored two World Cup type goals and that made it really tough.”
Berwick won the battle of the Rangers as they saw off Cove 3-0 up in Aberdeen with Alan Brazil, David Greenhill and Paul McMullan all scoring with Borderers boss Jimmy Crease saying, “We put a lot into preparing for this game and it showed. Greenhill’s goal was superb and it was a good day for us.”
Cove co-boss Jerry O’Driscoll said, “We worked hard but never got any breaks.”
In the final game the Highland League defeated the Juniors with Buckie Thistle seeing off hosts Bo’ness 2-0 thanks to a double from striker Martin Charlesworth. The striker netted in 5 minutes and after the Newtown Park side had missed chances to level he added the killer second with little more than half an hour left.
Buckie boss Gregg Carroll said, “We were under a wee bit of pressure but they never really created any chances. We will take anyone at home in the next round.”
Bo’ness chief Willie Newbigging commented, “It was a disappointing way for our Scottish Cup run to end.”
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