GOWFERS WIN NOTHING GAME AT WESTVIEW PARK
Kirriemuir Thistle 1 Carnoustie Panmure 2
Thistle got the game underway, but it was Carnoustie who had the first real scoring opportunity with just three minutes gone. Clark was fouled by Scott Russell 35 yards out, but J. Scott sent the free kick miles over the top.Despite that early chance, the Gowfers appeared to have little to offer and Kirrie were doing most of the pressing.
In 11 minutes, the home side came close to opening their account when Atagan played the ball through to A. Scott, who looked suspiciously offside, but the referee allowed him to run on and fire off a shot, which flashed across the face of the goal and out behind for a goal kick.
Four minutes later, Thistle were again on the attack with Stewart playing a good ball through to Kettles, who took the ball almost to the corner flag before winning a corner when his attempted cross was deflected behind by Smith. However, Farquharson's cross was taken cleanly by McCafferty, under pressure from several Kirrie players.
In 23 minutes, Carnoustie put themselves under pressure when Cook was dispossessed by Atagan. The ball was then played forward by Kettles to Farquharson, who drilled a shot into the side-netting, although McCafferty did appear to have it covered.
The Gowfers had a rare scoring opportunity in 26 minutes after McLauchlin was brought down by Stuart Russell right on the edge of the box. Clark got the free kick up and over the wall, but it also cleared the crossbar and the chance was lost.
Next minute, Steele got on the end of a Cook cross, but his shot lacked power and Millar had no trouble making the save.
With half an hour on the watch, Carnoustie fell behind when a Kettles cross from a Farquharson short corner was only partially cleared by Hunter. Atagan quickly played the ball back in and when McCafferty failed to collect cleanly, it broke to A. SCOTT, who shot home into the empty net, putting Thistle ahead.
Two minutes later, the Gowfers had a chance to get back on level terms when Collier was allowed a free header from a Smith cross, but sent his effort over the top when it looked easier to score.
With the half-time whistle about to sound, Kirrie won a free kick when Stuart Russell was brought down by Hendry just outside the box. Stewart took the kick and sent in a good ball, but McCafferty got up well to touch it over the top. Farquharson played the corner short to Atagan, who crossed the ball right into the goalmouth, but the Gowfers were awarded a free kick for Paterson pushing Hunter.
Half Time : Kirriemuir Thistle 1 Carnoustie Panmure 0
Within a minute of the restart, Hall tried his luck for Carnoustie with a long-range shot, but sent the ball narrowly past Millar's left-hand post.From the 'keeper's goal kick, play surged upfield and Miller picked out Kettles, who blazed his shot high over the bar.
In 50 minutes, the Gowfers had another half-chance when McLauchlin put a good ball through to Collier, but the 'keeper rushed out to collect it at his feet before he could get off a shot.
Carnoustie were doing most of the pressing at this stage, but in 54 minutes, Thistle should have doubled their lead when a Farquharson cross picked out A. Scott, whose free header was too direct and McCafferty had no trouble making the stop.
In 62 minutes, Carnoustie made a triple substitution with Hall, McLauchlin and Steele being replaced by Muhsin, Voigt and Conway and what a match-winning stroke of genius this proved to be.
Scott Russell was booked in 70 minutes for a blatant trip on Collier.
In 75 minutes, the Gowfers at last got back on level terms after Collier was fouled inside the box by Paterson and the referee immediately ran forward pointing to the spot. Substitute CONWAY took the kick and fired the ball home, giving Millar no chance.
With 10 minutes to go, the referee awarded a throw-in to Kirrie when it should have gone to Carnoustie. J. Scott voiced his protest a bit too strongly and was promptly shown the yellow card.However, the player continued to mouth-off at the official and was shown a second yellow, followed by the red, and for the second successive week the Gowfers were reduced to 10 men and for exactly the same reason.
A great save from Millar prevented Collier putting Carnoustie ahead in 81 minutes, but just a minute later a Conway cross was met by substitute VOIGT, who volleyed the Gowfers into the lead.
In 85 minutes, Stuart Russell picked up Thistle's second booking of the match after protesting about a free kick awarded to Carnoustie. Seconds later, Stewart was also yellow-carded for the same reason.
Carnoustie ended the match on the attack and won a free kick wide on the left when Conway was fouled by Miller. Taking the kick himself, Conway sent in a good cross, but Voigt just couldn't get up high enough and the ball came off the top of his head and went out behind.
As Millar launched his goal kick over the halfway line, the referee brought the tie to a close and the Gowfers had secured their first win of the competition, albeit too little too late.
| STARTING LINE-UPS | |
| 1. Millar | 1. John McCafferty |
| 2. Grant Miller (Ex Gowfer) | 2. Daryn Smith |
| 3. Anderson | 3. Jim Scott |
| 4. Scott Russell | 4. Robert Hendry |
| 5. Stuart Russell | 5. Scott Hunter |
| 6. Paterson | 6. Euan Hall |
| 7. Atagan | 7. Steven Cook |
| 8. Stewart | 8. Brian Clark |
| 9. A Scott | 9. James Collier |
| 10. Kettles | 10. Garry McLaughlin |
| 11. Farquharson | 11. Kevin Steele |
| SUBS : | SUBS : |
| 12. Anderson (Replaced A. Scott After 84 Minutes) | 12. Voigt (Replaced McLaughlin After 62 Minutes) |
| 14. Black (Replaced Kettles After 84 Minutes) | 14. Conway (Replaced Steele After 62 Minutes) |
| 15. Raffael (Sub Not Used) | 15. Muhsin (Replaced Hall After 62 Minutes) |
| 16. Taylor (Sub Not Used) | 16. Jonathan Thompson (Sub Not Used) |
| Sub 'Keeper - Dyce (Sub Not Used) | Sub 'Keeper - Mike Gourlay (Sub Not Used) |
| GOALS | |
| A.SCOTT (30) | CONWAY (75), VOIGT (82) |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS | |
| Referee : W. Ferguson, Forfar. | |
| Stuart Russell, Stewart | Scott (Sent Off - 2 Yellows) |