Wishaw High exit M&M Cup

Mar 10 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

WISHAW High School FPs crashed out of the M&M Cup on Saturday losing 3-1 to Garrowhill Thistle in a hard-fought encounter at Lochend High School, Easterhouse.

The FPs were without a number of first-team regulars and manager Gary Hailstones took the opportunity to give some game time to players who have not played much football since early December.

Back into the starting XI came David McCluskey along with fellow striker Mark Jamieson. Making his first competitive start for Wishaw was centre-half Stuart Grant, replacing the injured Wull Montgomery.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start when Garrowhill scored a close-range opener after seven minutes.

The FPs finally found their feet, however, and on the quarter-hour mark hauled themselves level when Kevin Burnside played a lovely through ball to Gary Miller.

His pinpoint cross to the back post was met by McCluskey, who left the Garrowhill keeper with no chance, bulleting his header into the roof of the net.

Hamstring victim Stuart Grant had to be replaced by FPs manager Gary Hailstones, who had been forced to name himself among the substitutes, after 20 minutes.

Despite several excellent chances for both sides before the interval, there was no further scoring before half-time.

The second half was another tight encounter, with both sides going all out for a winner.

In the 75th minute, Garrowhill went ahead again after a swift counter-attack. Having worked the ball wide, a midfielder drilled a stinging shot towards goal that eluded goalkeeper Paul O’Hara and found the bottom corner of the net, although the stopper could have done better.

The FPs poured forward in search of an equaliser and should have got it with eight minutes remaining.

A long ball put Mirrlees through on goal and as the forward homed in on goal he was hauled back by the neck but regained his balance and crashed an unstoppable effort off the bar.

The referee did not haul play back for the infringement, claiming he had played an advantage, much to the frustration of the Wishaw side.

In 85 minutes, Gary Miller missed a great chance to level when he blasted over from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

The FPs’ late charge was finally ended when Garrowhill broke again in the last minute and scored a well-taken goal.

This Saturday the FPs return to Central Scottish AFL Division 1A league business when they visit Gourock Athletic (2pm kick-off).

l The FPs committee would like to remind anyone going to their annual Sportsman's Dinner on Saturday, March 27, at Dalzell Park to be there for 7pm for a 7.30pm start.