Rough For Gowfers As Bluebells Chime
Lochee United 3 Carnoustie Panmure 1
Lochee kicked off playing up the right slight slope and with a cold easterly wind at their backs.In two minutes, Narey attempted to head clear from a Davidson cross, but he came down awkwardly, going over his ankle as he fell. He got back to his feet, but minutes later went over his ankle again, and limped off to be replaced by Hall.
Lochee continued to have the better of the opening exchanges and with five minutes gone opened the scoring in a rather bizarre fashion. A corner by Robertson from the right dropped into the crowded Gowfers' goalmouth where an attempt was made to hook the ball clear. However, it struck MCMILLAN on the side of the head and ricocheted past McCafferty into the net, putting the Bluebells ahead.
Three minutes later, McMillan had a chance to double the home side's lead when he got on the end of a Robertson 40 yard free kick, but squandered the opportunity by shooting well wide.
Shortly afterwards, Carnoustie came close when a high through ball from Morrison was headed down by Voigt to Abbot, who side-stepped his marker before sending a shot just wide of Brown's right-hand post.
Lochee were doing most of the pressing, but in a rare Gowfers' attack, Voigt took a pass from Abbot and tried a shot, which was blocked by Hay. Collier was first to the loose ball, but drove his shot high over the bar.
Brown's goal kick was long and dropped deep in the Carnoustie half. Hesitancy by the Gowfers defence allowed ROBERTSON to stride forward and lash the ball into the net, giving McCafferty no chance.
Within a minute, Carnoustie almost conceded a third goal when a Robertson cutback set up Cargill, who shot narrowly past McCafferty's left-hand post.
In 38 minutes, iw was again almost three when Blackwood beat Craig neatly and went through on goal, but let the ball run just a shade too far in front of him and McCafferty dived bravely at his feet to make the save.
The home side then forced three corners in quick succession before Hendry eventually managed to clear the ball away amidst loud appeals for a penalty, which went unheeded by the referee.
Half Time : Lochee United 2 Carnoustie Panmure 0
Early in the second half, Lochee won a free kick after Morrison clashed with Middleton just inside the visitors half. Dailly took the kick, but put the ball straight through to McCafferty, who had no trouble making the save.In 56 minutes, Cumming released Conway with a great through ball, but before he could get into his stride, he was brought down by Blackwood. Hendry dropped the free kick into the home box, looking for Voigt, but Bannon got there first and thumped it away to safety.
Carnoustie were now playing much better than they had done in the first hafl and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Hendry battled his way into the box past three men and drilled in a shot, which Brown did well to save.
Moments later, a Conway cross picked out Voigt, whose powerful header produced another fine save from the Bluebells' 'keeper.
In 62 minutes, a Conway corner was only partially cleared and was fired back in by Smith. McMillan headed the ball back out to the edge of the box and this time it dropped to ABBOT, who blasted the ball past Brown to put the Gowfers back in the game.
Middelton was booked in 69 minutes for comments made to the referee after a ful had been given against him.
Shortly afterwards, Cumming also saw 'yellow' after allegedly pushing Bannon.
In 75 minutes, Conway sent a free kick right into the Lochee goalmouth, but Brown got up to punch it away. The ball then broke to Morrison, who shot narrowly past.
Brand replaced Morrison in 79 minutes, but still Carnoustie searched in vain for a second goal.
Then, as luck would have it, the Gowfers were caught with a sucker punch in 84 minutes when a home breakaway ended with Bannon crossing to ROBERTSON, who shot home, giving McCafferty no chance.
Before play restarted, Lochee made their first change with Hagan going on for Blackwood.
Four minutes later, the home side made a second switch, Leahy replacing Middleton.
With time running out, United won a free kick midway inside the Carnoustie half when Hendry was cautioned for the foul and Hagan's name also went into the referee's book for comments made to the match official.
Right on the final whistle, Carnoustie had once last chance when Voigt fed Conway, who fired off a shot, but Brown got down well to make the save.
As the 'keeper cleared the ball upfield, the referee brought the game to a close and the Gowfers were left to rue their poor performance before the interval and their missed chances in the second half when they did play much better.
Line-Ups:
Lochee United : Brown, Bannon, McMillan, Hay, Davidson, Hardie, Cargill, Dailly, Robertson, Blackwood (Hagan 84), Middleton (Leahy 88)
Substitute Not Used : Krobot, Watson, Bruce
Carnoustie Panmure : McAfferty, Narey (Hall 6), Smith, Craig, Cumming, Morrison (Brand 79), Abbot, Hendry, Collier, Voigt, Conway
Substitute Not Used : Steele, Russell, Whyte (gk)
Referee : N.Watters, Montrose