Emirates Scottish Cup: Round 3

  Cumnock 2 - 1 Dunipace  

When drawn against one of the bigger names away from home in the Scottish Junior cup the absolute minimum a club such as Dunipace can hope for is a team of officials who will be strong enough to withstand the pressure that will undoubtedly be applied by the home crowd.

And travelling to Cumnock for this third round tie that's exactly what Dunipace expected.

With Gary and Graeme MacMillan restored to the Pace defence and Barry Rodger up front on his own there was a distinctly different look to the Dunipace side from that which defeated Muirkirk in the last round.

And it was two of the changes who were to combine to provide the opening goal after only 10 minutes. A Mcphail corner from the right was headed clear and as Cumnock pushed out Sean McCafferty slid an inch perfect pass into the path of Graeme MacMillan who had spun into the right wing area.

Such was the quality of McCafferty's pass, Graeme didn't have to break stride before sending over an excellent cross to his brother Gary MacMillan to power his header beyond the home keeper from 10 yards.

Just the start Dunipace were looking for as they'd set out to allow Cumnock possession in a 4-5-1 formation and attempt to stop the home side from creating in behind. And an early goal gave the visitors something to hold onto.

There was to be a moment of panic almost immediately after the goal though as the Cumnock striker went past Cullen in the penalty area and fell theatrically looking for a penalty. No contact and a clear dive which, to be fair to the official he never thought about giving. But there was also no yellow card for the forward who, like Tweedie later in the game from a Dunipace perspective, was fortunate to get away with the dive.

As the half went on Cumnock enjoyed the majority of the ball without really creating any chances of note, with Meighan and Graeme MacMillan between them blocking the home sides clearest opportunity before Graeme MacMillan threw himself in front of a drive from the edge of the area to snuff out the danger.

And it was Dunipace who almost extended their lead on a rare attack when Barry Rodgers curled an effort just wide from 20 yards with the keeper beaten.

Despite not having a lot of the ball and not keeping it particularly well when in possession, Dunipace defended very well in the first half to frustrate their opponents. The only blotch on the copybook being a yellow card for McIllduff that would later come back to haunt him.

As the second half began, Dunipace expected an onslaught from the home side and following an overheard conversation between the officials a tough time for McIllduff who would have to tread carefully.

As the second half started it was to be the first in a series of big decisions to go against Dunipace that would bring the home side back into the match. A high ball spun into the area which Meighan went to collect. With the ball high in the air abover their heads the striker barged straight into the keeper, who then pulled him to the turf.

No doubt the keeper had fouled the Cumnock player, but only 10 yards from the far side Linesman who must have seen the original infringement. The referee was also in good position to see the original challenge but neither traded a word with each other as a penalty was wrongly awarded.

Meighan was booked for his protests and could do nothing as the spot kick was expertly dispatched high to his left to draw the game level at 1-1.

And, if that decision from was to infuriate the Pace, the next in the series didn't help either. A long ball was played over the top of the away defence and, with the striker appearing to be a good 2 or 3 yards offside, the flag didn't go up.

Another fantastic finish by the Cumnock number 10, giving Meighan no chance as he curled beyond his left hand, but it was again the part of the linesman being questioned by the visiting players.

Boss Derek Barron threw on Tweedie and Oates in an effort to get back into the game and it was Tweedie who was involved straight away going down in the area. As with the home player in the first half, never a penalty and lucky to escape a yellow card for the dive.

And with 15 minutes remaining Dunipace knew it wasn't going to be their day when, in an identical foul to the one given to the home side, Gary MacMillan was dragged to the ground by a defender in the home box as the ball was floated in. Despite the keeper making a save from Oates who poked towards goal, the decision not to award the penalty as the referee looked straight at the incident again left Dunipace furious.

In between the above, Cumnock struck a post with an excellent drive from inside the area and Meighan made a great saving tackle inside the area, though he thought another penalty had been awarded against him as the whistle went for offside.

The final act of the game was the sending off of McIllduff who, when running with the ball was fouled by a home player and his momentum meant he fell into someone else. 5 yards from the Linesman, about the same from the referee and between them they decided it warranted a second yellow and a red.

As ridiculous a decision as you'll ever see that had players of both sides holding in their laughter.

Dunipace can be happy with their performance against higher league opposition and not for the first time this season. Cumnock can be added to the list that includes Rob Roy, Kilsyth and Largs who have all found it tough against a hard working Dunipace side who haven't let themselves down in any of these ties to date.

Despite enjoying by far the majority of the football, Cumnock didn't really create anything more by way of chances than their visitors and in the end go through as a result of the big decisions on the day going in their favour.

As always, the hospitality afforded by Cumnock was excellent and we wish them well for the remainder of their season.