Whe-Ho earn cup replay

Published 4 Nov 2009 15:00

Yoker Athletic 1 Kelty Hearts 1

YOKER Athletic entertained East Super League side Kelty Hearts in the Scottish Cup at Holm Park at the weekend and both sides served up an excellent cup-tie for those in attendance.

Whe-Ho boss John Brogan continued with Ross Clark in goal after the young shot-stopper impressed in their last outing against Maybole and striker Martin Gallagher was named amongst the substitutes after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Kelty came into the match as strong favourites, unbeaten in their last six matches.

The Whe-Ho got off to a dream start when the in-form Gary Bissland latched onto a flick-on from a Bain throw-in to rifle the ball past the visiting keeper after just 38 seconds.

The visitors weren't fazed by this and they continued their excellent probing, passing game in an attempt to break down their hosts, but Neil Schoneville and Willie McKellar won absolutely everything in the air that the visitors threw at them from set-pieces.

The home side should have doubled their lead just before the interval, but James Strain failed to make any proper contact to James McLernon's cross after a fine Mark McManus pass.

Brogan's side knew their visitors were firm favourites coming into the tie and that they'd have to fight to keep themselves in the cup after the break.

The Fife side started the second half excellently and piled on the pressure in the early exchanges; only a fine stop from Clark and a last ditch challenge from Schoneville preserved the Whe-Ho's slender lead.

The pressure paid off on the hour mark as Clark again produced a stunning stop at his near post, but the ball was returned back into the six-yard box and Tam McGeorge was on hand to level for the East Region giants.

The Whe-Ho gathered themselves after this and Bissland and McManus began to get control of the midfield battle.

Gallagher had a half-chance to win it for Brogan's side but a slight deflection meant he couldn't quite control the ball from a Bain throw-in.

McLernon almost made the hosts pay for some sloppy play late on but he just couldn't slip his marker with two minutes remaining and the game finished 1-1.

The Whe-Ho will know that their opponents will remain favourites for this week's replay but they will take heart from their display going into the game next week.

The VB Contracts man of the match was Whe-Ho defender Neil Schoneville.

YOKER ATHLETIC: Clark, Bain, McKellar, Vickers, Schoneville, Bissland, Carson, McLernon, Strain, Marshall, McManus. Unused subs: Gallagher, Smith.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 04 Nov 09

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