Turriff United overcame a stern test against Sauchie Juniors as they fought back from losing the first goal to win 2-1 and move into the second round of the Scottish Cup.
The East of Scotland League Premier Division outfit started brightly and went ahead after eleven minutes when Mark Smith forced the ball home from close range after Finlay Murray had blocked on the goal line.
Smith then saw his header hit the bar but Turriff turned the game in their favour as the impressive Jack McKenzie sent a fantastic 25-yard effort into the postage stamp corner which left keeper Chick Clark helpless.
A goal from @JackMck1025 has us level at the break pic.twitter.com/oliPy0hALg
— Turriff United Football Club (@TurriffUnitedFC) September 23, 2023
Ewan Clark, who signed a contract extension before the game, put United ahead three minutes after the break with another fine goal.
The striker broke down the right wing before cutting into the box and firing a low effort across the advancing keeper into the bottom corner.
David Dey then brilliantly blocked a fine Ross Kavanagh effort that was goal-bound before Sauchie finished the game with ten men as Lucas Williamson was sent off for collecting two yellow cards in the 90th minute.
‘I’m really proud’
United manager Dean Donaldson, who signed 18-year-old former Aberdeen youth Timi Fantona prior to the tie, was thrilled with his team’s performance saying that it was a squad effort that won the game.
He said: “I am over the moon with what the boys gave to a man as everyone showed what they can do against a really experienced, hard, physical and determined team that are in my opinion very good.
“To match them and better them, especially after going behind early on, I am really proud of my players and it is a great day for the club and our supporters.
“We got two great goals with Jack McKenzie putting a rocket in from 25 yards when we needed it and then Ewan Clark has no margin for error and put it in the corner.
“We could have killed the game as a contest as we had a couple of other chances but I have no complaints and just to be in the next round with victory over a very good team shows how far this team has come.”
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Banks o’ Dee 6-0 Dalbeattie Star
Ruthless finishing by Banks o’ Dee ensured they advanced to round two of the Scottish Cup in style with 6-0 win against Dalbeattie Star at Spain Park.
Home co-manager Josh Winton was content his team waited patiently to get in control before unleashing a series of knock-out punches.
He said: “It took us a while to get our first goal and it makes you wonder if it is going to be one of those days.
“Their goalkeeper had some good saves, while for us Andy Shearer had a really good save to his right and another shot tipped over.
“The boys were patient, moving the ball about from side to side and the first two goals came just before the break.
🏆 📽️ @banksodee_fc v @dalbeattiestar
A Max Alexander hat-trick was part of a comprehensive victory for Banks O'Dee over Dalbeattie Star.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/Wxs0YvJoTW
— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) September 24, 2023
“We spoke at half time about being ruthless, three goals right away secured the win.
“We were well worth it and look forward to seeing what we get next in the draw.”
Dee on top
The floodgates eventually opened in 42 minutes when a slick passing move into the box opened up the visiting defence allowing Hamish MacLeod to hammer home.
Just on half-time Luke Emmett raced to the left by-line squaring to the back post for Max Alexander to knock the ball in.
Amazingly three further goals came within five minutes of the resumption. Alexander left Konar Pietsch well beaten with a firmly placed shot low into the corner from the left angle.
Next on the scene was Chris Antoniazzi who waltzed into the box and unleashed a left-foot screamer high into the roof of the net.
Seconds later MacLeod charged down an attempted Pietsch clearance before rolling into the empty net
In 63 minutes Pietsch saved but Alexander easily converted the rebound to make it six while right at the end substitute Lachie MacLeod had a penalty kick saved.
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Brechin City 4-0 Rothes
Brechin City booked their place in the second round of the Scottish Cup with a 4-0 victory over Rothes at Glebe Park.
Grady McGrath’s hat-trick was the highlight of an accomplished Hedgemen performance.
Manager Andy Kirk said: “We were a wee bit sloppy in the first half after scoring so early and we gave the ball away a few times but in the second half I thought that we were great.
“The level of some our play and the goals we scored were fantastic.
“We spoke to the boys at half-time about some of the aspects we were a bit unhappy with and to be fair it wasn’t an awful lot.
“It was just about doing things quicker and doing the simple things and the boys responded well and we were able to do that in the second-half.
“Scoring so early after the break certainly helped but overall I thought that the boys were great.”
McGrath makes the difference
City got off to a whirlwind start opening the scoring with barely a couple of minutes on the clock when McGrath was on the spot to blast home a Marc Scott cross.
City enjoyed the majority of possession and pressure thereafter but were unable to add to their tally.
However, after the break they doubled their lead within a couple of minutes and it was McGrath again on target when he slotted in the rebound after a Lewis Martin shot had been blocked.
Another week, another match ball for @mcgrath_grady 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tUrd2ifBK3
— Brechin City FC (@BrechinCityFC) September 24, 2023
The striker completed his hat-trick just a couple of minutes later when he superbly lobbed the ball over visitors keeper Sean McCarthy.
City were in full control and a close-range finish from substitute Stuart Heenan in the final minute made it 4-0.
Rothes manager Ross Jack said: “We were well beaten in the end but it was a terrible start to both halves.
“We weathered the storm after the opening goal and got ourselves back into the game and we had a couple of chances before the break.
“Losing the second goal at the start of the second half left us with a mountain to climb and we just couldn’t get back into the match.”
