With the two teams so closely positioned in the McBookie.com East Superleague, it would have been expected that Saturday’s game would have been a close run thing.
After the previous week’s match being postponed with Carnoustie already in Fauldhouse, Alan McSkimming kept team changes to a minimum, with Macdonald in at left back for the ill Neath, Cormack continuing in goal for the injured Macpherson. With spots on the bench going to Simpson, Gray, Gersok, skipper Cook and Roche returning to the fold after his recent injury problems.
Carnoustie Panmure started sharp and battered the Sauchie goal early on.
In the 7th minute The Gowfers took the lead when Black played a superb crossfield ball to McIlravey. The wingers cross was saved by the Sauchie keeper, Roberts tried with a follow up shot which was also saved but up stepped PAT SMITH to put the ball away for an early lead.
Just a minute later the young striker had the chance to double the lead but the shot was well saved by the keeper.
Ten minutes into the game Scott drove into the and fell to the ground, however the penalty claims fell on deaf ears with the referee.
Sauchie tested Cormack in the Carnoustie goal in the 11th minute, however the big keeper saved the shot well and Macdonald cleared and danger away.
A minute later Scott made a great run into the box and squared to McCabe, however the midfielders shot was an easy save for the Sauchie keeper.
Straight away it was Sauchie’s turn to attack with Millar blocking the shot and the rebound shot ending up over the bar and out the ground.
In the 14th minute Smith crossed in to McCabe, his shot was saved, he followed up with a shot on the rebound but that was saved as well.
Twenty-two minutes in McIlravey got the ball out wide and drove inside. He took a shot from the edge but the keeper again saved well.
A minute later The Gowfers dominance without a clinical edge came back to haunt them when the striker got the wrong side of Buggins, he ran into the box and squared to CONOR KELLY to tap in to equalise.
The deadlock only lasted for 9 minutes. McIlravey played to ball to Smith out on the right wing, the striker played in a great cross which was met by RODDY BLACK to hammer home and put The Gowfers back in front.
HALF TIME
CARNOUSTIE PANMURE 2
SAUCHIE 1
If anyone was late back to the game for the start of the second half, they may have missed what happened in the next 16 seconds….
From kick off, smith played the ball to McCabe, it got rolled back to Black who put it back to McGeehan at right back. The Irishman played a long ball up field, Sauchie had a couple of attempts to clear the ball but it fell to McCabe, he played it out to Smith at the corner of the box. Smith played it into Black who dribbled into the box, the ball got deflected up into the air off a defender. The goalkeeper rushed out to RODDY BLACK who stretched and volleyed the ball in to extend the Carnoustie lead.
Three minutes later Scott took a corner which was a bit over cooked, McIlravey took control of it on the other side and played the ball into McCabe, he stood the ball up, Buggins challenged the keeper in the air and the ball fell to Scott but his shot ended up going over.
A couple of minutes later it was 4-1, Scott took the ball to the by-line and crossed to PAT SMITH at the near post, the young striker netting his double for the afternoon.
And he almost had his hat-trick in the 55th minute. Scott played a perfect ball into Smith but the rushing keeper made himself big and Smith put the shot just wide.
In the 71st minute McIlravey crossed into Gray, however he missed and slipped trying for the shot but the ball fell to Smith who’s shot was narrowly wide of the target
The last action worth a mention happened 9 minutes from time, McCabe crossed in and Gray rose to head, but the shot was saved well by the keeper
FULL TIME
CARNOUSTIE PANMURE 4
SAUCHIE 1
