Penalty shootout joy for Craigneuk

Nov 12 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Craigneuk 3 Stables 3

CRAIGNEUK went into this second round West of Scotland Cup tie against Stirling and District opposition hoping to progress to the next round.

But the home side did not realise what was in store in this epic contest which Craigneuk won on penalties.

Early in the match the local side had the better of the chances and possession that led to several early efforts being saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

Craigneuk took the lead midway through the first half when captain Chris Murray's 30-yard strike proved too venomous for the Stable keeper to hold onto.

At this point strikers Thomas McKnight and Davie Moon were causing all sorts of problems at the back and Stables were struggling to cope with Craigneuk.

Just before half time Moon scored a second when he chipped the on-rushing keeper togive Craigneuk a comfortable half time cushion.

After the break it was a completely different story as Stables came out the far hungrierside and their hard work and determinationpaid off when they scored five minuteslater.

This seemed to rattle Craigneuk as they struggled to retain possession and failed to create any chances of note in the whole second half.

Stables dominated the majority of the second period and they forced several efforts, which Thomas McMillan in goal for Craigneuk did well to deal with.

However the visitors gained a deserved equaliser just eight minutes from time when a simple pass from midfield undid the whole defence and the striker scored, albeit from what seemed an offside position.

From here the game finished after 90 minutes without any other efforts of note.

Extra time followed a similar pattern to the second half with Stables again dominating possession although they failed to create many chances and Craigneuk seemed to be coping well with them.

This was until inexplicably the Craigneuk defence tried to defend a free kick far too high up the pitch and when Stables simply put the ball over them to an onrushing forward he managed to get to the ball before McMillan to head the visitors into the lead.

Craigneuk responded by bringing on debutant John Collins and within five minutes of the restart of the second period of extra time he had scored an equaliser when he met a Ryan Duddy cross at the back post.

From here Craigneuk looked the hungrier side but were unable to force a winner.

The match went to penalties and Craigneuk scored their first four penalties and with McMillan saving two, Craigneuk progressed into the third round where they will meet either Kilsyth or Milbeg.

Craigneuk would like to thank Peter Reilly in the King Lud for laying on refreshments for both teams after the match.