Saturday 25th February 2012 Stagecoach Premier Division:

Thanks, David Reid.

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup – fourth round replay,

Saturday 11^th February 2012.

Thanks to Bobby Graham for the report.

Steve Farrell warned in the match  programme that the visitors from the East Super League were a very dangerous side and so it proved as they knocked Cumnock out of the Emirates Junior Cup at the second time of asking. The home side were handicapped when Gary Lynn was dispatched to the pavilion receiving a straight red card after 30 minutes. Despite a spirited fight back, after the interval the loss of the defender proved a step too far and the local favourites were left with far too big a mountain to climb.

Dressed in an all-black outfit with light-blue trim, St Andrews kicked off and set a fast and furious pace straight from the start. Clearly obviously they were really up for the cup tussle, they pressed forward at every opportunity and were rewarded with the opening goal after 11 minutes. A good build-up, completed by a sweeping move resulted with a defence-splitting pass. Diminutive striker, Sam Buchan was first to react as he drew the keeper keeping it low into the middle of the net.

Chic Connolly crossed from the left as the ball drifted away wide. Desperate to influence the flow of the game, Gary McMenamin and James Tyler combined on the ground, only for the final return pass to slip off-target.

Midway through the first half this was shaping up as an exciting cup-tie. Shortly after came a real flashpoint. Starting with a poor pass-back from Steve Murray putting keeper Andy Kennedy under pressure, the ball broke to Ryan Dignam. Gary Lynn spotted the danger quickly making a tackle at the edge of the box. As both players rose from the ground, there was a clash of heads. Dignam collapsed dramatically although there appeared to be little contact. Right on the spot, referee Steven Reid flashed a straight red card and off trooped the Cumnock full-back. In the melee that followed, the referee also noted four players -two from each side. Cumnock seemed to be affected by the decision and went two down a few minutes later.

A smashing drive with his left foot from Paul Watson found the bottom corner of the net leaving Andy Kennedy with little chance. Cumnock replied when Chic Connolly’s cross was deflected into the path of Gary McMenamin. His pile-driver was travelling goal-wards ’till defender Kevin Fotherinham stuck out a leg. The resultant corner was easily caught by keeper Scott Bennett.

St. Andrews looked solid at the back with two speedy front strikers and the home fans knew it would take a supersonic display after the interval to turn this tie around.

Half Time – Cumnock Juniors 0 St. Andrews United 2.

After the break, within 9 minutes Cumnock found themselves a lifeline. There appeared to be little danger as Chic Connolly gathered down the right side. Left alone, Connolly lifted the ball high over the advancing keeper and it rolled slowly into the unguarded net. Seconds later ,the comeback looked likely as James Tyler pounced, firing across the penalty box deep into the far corner.  As Tyler turned to celebrate the equaliser, the crowd noticed the referee’s assistant had raised his flag signalling off-side. In controversial circumstances, the goal was ruled out.

The next goal was going to be vital and it was the visitors who capitalised on a mistake by Gary Wild. His miss-kick landed at the feet of Paul Watson who quickly steadied himself before dispatching the ball from long range behind Andy Kennedy. Despite following behind, Cumnock regrouped and pulled another goal back. The angle seemed too tight too have a go. George Wallace did anyway and his low short squirted under the body of the keeper at the far post.

The fight-back looked possible at this stage as Cumnock threw on Aaron Connolly to add some fire power up front. However. the next goal came from the penalty spot when Willie Howie tackled substitute Ryan Mc Innes. To seal his hat-trick, Paul Watson stepped up to slot deep into the corner from 12 yards.  St Andrews could have added another but Stuart McDonald was in the right place to kick off the goal line.

Throwing caution to the wind, George Wallace did get a glimpse of the goal only to shoot straight at the keeper and seconds later fell under a strong challenge. Nothing given.

The visitors were never going to relinquish their goal advantage as their defence stood firm right to the end.

A good old-fashioned cup-tie with lots of controversial decisions but at the final whistle it was St. Andrews United who booked their passage into the sixth round .

Full Time – Cumnock 2 St. Andrews 4

Cumnock - Kennedy , McDonald , Lynn , Wild , Murray , Howie , Wilson , C. Connolly , Wallace , Tyler , McMemamin .

Subs—- Kennedy , Miller , A .Connolly , Quinn , McKnight.

St Andrews -    Bennett , Gibb , Fotheringham , McMullan , Patrick , Buchan , McRae , Digman , Watson , Suttie , Rattray .

Subs -    Wilson , Porteous , Farquharson , Ramsey , McInnes , Sloan ,Sutherland .

Referee-     Steven Reid (Glasgow)

Result - Cumnock 2 St Andrews United 4

Scorers:

Cumnock:   C Connolly 54′,   G Wallace 69′,

St Andrews - Buchan 11 mins , Watson 35 mins ,   Watson 64′,    Watson 72′ (pen) .

1st round –  Cumnock Juniors  v   Largs Thistle.        2nd round - Kilbirnie Ladeside / Troon Juniors   v    Cumnock Juniors /Largs Thistle.  No dates have been decided.

The Centenary Burns Supper will be held in April 6th this year and the Centenary Sportsmans Lunch with Donald Findlay QC will be on Sunday 27th May. Both are in the Social Club and tickets will be available soon.

The Social Club had a very successful festive period. The Boxing Day show, Hogmanay and New Year’s Day parties were well supprtedand great fun. The membership is currently 470 and growing including a fantastic 120 new mambeerships . Forms to join or renew memberships are available in the Club. Cost is £5 for the year. Members can book the hall on Fridays for private functions at no charge. The diary for 2012 is filling up rapidly so please contact the Club as soon as possible if you would like to book for  your event. On Sunday 30th January we have the return of the Rod Stewart Tribute show which will be every bit as good as last time. Tickets £5 at the Club. Other tribute shows such as Michael Buble, Elvis and Johnny Cash are being planned. Watch the advertising for details.

The Football Club, Boys Club fundraising and Social Club committees are formally working together on some joint initiatives. More info on this in coming weeks.

The Boys Club have also been lending a hand to Wullie Dick with th Park which is greatly appreciated.

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup, round 4.

Saturday 21^st January 2012.

So it is back to Townhead Park this Saturday.  Cumnock played better than recent weeks and they did have a good chance to put the game to bed when the home side’s Ricky Patrick got his marching orders in the 51st minute but Cumnock could not get that goal.

Stevie Murray led out the Cumnock team in a blustery day with new player Gary Lynn in central defence and keeper Andy Kennedy back from a lengthy injury. There was no Chris McKnight who has a hamstring injury and that was a blow to Cumnock.

The game immediately burst into action. George Wallace got a quick shot which went over but spurred the visitors on. The home side replied with a dangerous cross from Paul Farquharson on the right which came at head height with his colleagues ready to get it. Chic Connolly was there first in the right place to header it out.

Both teams continued with brisk play. Despite Cumnock having most of the ball in the early stages, Saints had the edge on looking more dangerous. A good move from Saints started with Ryan Dignan who quickly sent it to Kevin McMullan who flicked  to Gary Sutherland leaving him clear. Keeper Andy Kennedy was out  and made the shot to go past the post.  Then the keeper was soon back in action as a high cross from Gary Sutherland on the right had his players waiting to pounce. Andy Kennedy ran into the middle of the fray and despite being thumped  in all sides and ending  sent flying he still managed to hang on to the ball.

Then Saints began to get more of the ball but the Cumnock’s four back line were very good all game – Stuart McDonald, Gary Lynn, Graeme Wilson and with Stevie Murray in particular being excellent. He never tried to do anything flamboyant,  he just straightforwardly dug in and  made it very difficult for the strikers to get past him. Stuart McDonald was also very good and he and Stevie Murray kept an eye in the other less experienced two and they all ended in gelling a good unit.

Saint’s Sam Buchan had a shot from the 18 yard line which slid past the left post and was not that far away. Cumnock gave a half-hearted penalty shout when Aaron Connolly came worse off when he got  between Graeme Gibb and Adam Porteous for a cross from the right – but no penalty.

Mid-way in the first half things became fairly even but both defences did not give much away and there were not many  shots at goal – although there was plenty of effort from both teams and it was a good game.  Sam Buchan tried to get away from the visitors defence but Chic Connolly kept with him to leave him with a hurried shot. Cumnock’s James Tyler was always willing to run and charged through the home defence but he began to fall as he was shooting and keeper Scott Bennett was there to catch it.

Saints made a push before half-time. Ryan McInnes sent a dangerous cross which he picked several home players in front of goal but Stuart McDonald did well to get his head in front to deflect it away. Then Gary Sutherland looked as if he was going to score when Willie Howie popped up to head the ball away from the goal line.

As referee Braidwood checked his watch, Saints got a free-kick on the right flank on the half-way line. Kevin McMullan took it and sent the ball over the many players milling around the penalty spot. The ball continued over Andy Kennedy on the 6 yard line and despite a tremendous effort from him, going backwards with his fingers flaying about, the ball squeezed inches between the keeper’s fingers and bar.  What a goal!  Kevin McMullan will always remember that one  It was an amazing goal and trying not to spoil thing, it was a blustery day.

Half-time:  St. Andrews United 1 Cumnock Juniors 0.

It seemed the excitement would subside in the second half – but not a bit of it. Cumnock started with their sleeves up to get an equaliser. With a number of players in front of the Saints goal, the Cumnock players lifted their hands up to the referee who pointed at the penalty spot. Ricky Patrick had stopped the ball with his hand which was going on its way to the net. The Saints player got a red card and a Saints coach on the bench also got a red card for protesting. He could never have seen the incident as there were  too many players in his way, also he was on the other half of the park. Saints Graeme Gibb got a yellow card for dissent over the red cards.

Graeme Wilson ignored the trouble, calmly took the penalty and gave keeper Scott Bennett no chance for the score to be St. Andrews United 1  Cumnock Juniors 1.

Cumnock played the better football at this stage but did not get much chance as in a short time the referee had to take action after a series of late tackles from the home side. The worst being four players who got yellow cards, also George Wallace for retaliation and one by Gary McMenamin for barging which was very harsh.

Cumnock had then two chances, one being a pass from James Tyler to George Wallace in front of goal but as it came to him it bounced too high and he had to shoot quickly before the defence arrived and it went over the bar. Then in the 76^th minute Cumnock had a great chance. James Tyler charged through the defence and towards goal. Keeper Bennett came out and the ball was lobbed over him. It looked as if it was a goal but it hit the post. Again it looked as if the wind was Cumnock’s loss.

Saints were very keen to avoid a game at Cumnock next week and came back at Cumnock. A stray ball had Andy Kennedy and Johnny Macrae sprinting for it with the keeper diving to get their first. With three more yellow cards for Cumnock both teams must have been aware that they could easily lose players next week as this was now eight  yellow cards. So there was no more chances so it is Townhead Park next week.

It wasn’t a bad game. and Cumnock did also not have a bad spell throughout the match.  As said earlier the back four were very good in particular and new player Gary Lynn played well. The Cumnock strikers could have had more support and Aaron Connolly had to come back looking for the ball or was left on his own at times. Andy Kennedy also played well despite his long injury. Everyone at Cumnock were enthusiastic and all had pass marks by a good margin.

St. Andrews United:  Bennett, Gibb, Porteous, K. Fotheringham, McMullan, Patrick, Buchan, Sutherland, Dignan, P. Farquharson, McInnes.

Subs:   Wilson, Sloan, Tulleth, Ramsay, Macrae.

Cumnock Juniors:   A. Kennedy, McDonald, Wilson, Lynn, Murray, Howie, Tyler, C. Connolly, Wallace, A. Connolly, McMenamin.

Subs:   Miller, S. Kennedy, Quinn, Farrell, Watterson.

Referee:   Bryan Braidwood (Aberdeen).

Sean Quinn – As already said a few days ago, welcome to Sean who is a left back and was on the bench at St. Andrews.

Gary Lynn – Centre-half Gary played well at St. Andrews.

Sean Kennedy – Mid-fielder Sean already played with Cumnock briefly before and was on the bench at St. Andrews. He, with the other two, will compliment the Club.

With all the coming and going in the last few days, there will be more details about the three soon.

Ally Patrick – Sorry to say, Ally has decided to go back to his home side, Saltcoats Vics as he was not getting a regular game at Townhead Park.  Ally is a good player and his height is an asset to any team. We will remember at Beith when he and Brian Miller caused a laugh when the pair of them came out for the second half chatting – with Ally 6ft 6 ins and Brian around 5ft 6 ins. Ally is an extremely pleasant chap. so  best wishes Ally at Saltcoats.

Sean has just completed the administration to join Cumnock and there is a good chance another player’s admin. will be completed today, Friday (21st January 2012).

There have been a lot of stories recently about Cumnock Juniors which are not true. Stories that those two players had signed last week and other players as well were well discussed. They  were just not true – even though they were all well-meant.   It takes a while to sort out signing players – for example both teams have to negotiate after the player has said he will sign. Quite regularly the agreement falls down but  word goes out the player has signed. Even though after everything is going well at this stage there is administration to be dealt with and finally Tom Johnston at the SJFA has to give the go-ahead. If a player has been playing abroad it takes ages before the player can play again until both Associations sort things out. The website tries to get information out straight away after everything is agreed.