Emirates Scottish Junior Cup: Round 2

  Dunipace 1 - 3 Lochore Welfare  

Dunipace: Wright (16)
Lochore: Ferguson (15), Duncan (25), Reynolds (53)

Match Report by Barry "Fabio" Rodger

It was almost 105 years ago when Dunipace won the Scottish Junior Cup. They travelled to Meadowside Park, Glasgow to take on their modern day rivals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in front of a crowd of 7000 supporters, in a match finishing 2 - 2. The replay took place at Brockville on the Monday night. After an injury in the first half Dunipace were left with 10 men (no substitutes in those days) but managed to hold out till half time where the injured player, Waddell, resumed with a heavy limp. 4 Minutes into the second half, Dunipace took the lead through Westwater and held out to win the most famous trophy in Junior Football.

Although the trophy was not at Brockville to be presented, Dunipace enjoyed the moment thoroughly and on their return to Denny station were met by a 30 fog signal salute and a brass band to march them back to Dunipace to a crowd of hundreds who had gathered to welcome the team home.

Many things in Junior Football have changed since then, except for one thing, the Dunipace fans still dream of bringing those distant memories back to life and winning the Scottish Junior Cup all over again. And this was the perfect opportunity to shove the league campaign to one side and give the fans something special to cheer about. So it is no wonder that, given the manner in which Dunipace lost this second round encounter, everyone associated with Dunipace Juniors was left bitterly disappointed.

Lochore Welfare were the visitors and Pace gaffer Craig McKinlay knew all to well having played in the Fife leagues that this was going to be a heavily contested and physical encounter. Dunipace returned to the more familiar 4-4-2 formation with last weeks in-form duo Danny Brown & Brian Grant unavailable for selection.

Lochore started the stronger of the two teams and looked particularly troublesome in the last third. In the 5th minute Dunipace won a corner which Donald swung into the box. The Lochore defence were first to the cross and cleared the ball straight up the park to leave a three versus one counter attack. Lochore's Goodwin then crossed for Ferguson who somehow mis-directed his header beyond the far post, much to the relief of the home support.

It was a sure sign that Lochore were not here to merely sightsee in the Carbuncle Capital.

And it only took 15 mins to break the deadlock. Dunipace defender Henderson appeared to loose his footing about 20 yards out and this allowed striker Ferguson to nick the ball away from him. With a clear sight on goal the striker wasted no time smashing a shot which hit the underside of the crossbar and deflect off McCurley's back to make it one nil.

Only a minute later though Dunipace had themselves back in the match when Wright latched onto a Pace throw - in 8 yards from goal. The midfielder produced a moment of magic when he flicked the ball over the defenders head and rattled a left foot volley past McMahin in goal to level up the match.

A few minutes later Dunipace nearly went in front. Kane sent a tidy pass through to Wright who swung the ball accross the 6 yard box. Mullen looked sure to add to his impressive early season goal tally until the Lochore defender stretched out almost sending the ball into his own goal but instead narrowly past the post.

In the 25th minute it was Lochore that took the lead again. This time Duncan collected the ball around 25 yards from goal, lifted his head, and fired a howitzer into the top right hand corner of the goal, McCurlay with no chance. A terrific effort and one which the home support acknowledged gracefully

Dunipaces Kane was then fouled on 32 mins. Mullen struck the subsequent free kick from distance but the Lochore keeper somehow tipped the ball past the post despite having very little time to react. And it was Pace, despite having the minority of possession, who had the last chance of the half. And what a chance it was. Moodie slid a great ball through to Kane, who only had the keeper to beat, but the midfielder chose to try and chip the oncoming goalkeeper hitting it straight into his hands when it seemed an easier option to pass the ball into the net.

Half time, 2 - 1 to Lochore and they would be the far happier team.

Lochore were to come out in the second half with a big spring in their step. And it took just 8 minutes to add to their lead. Whilst on the assendancy, a decent ball was crossed into the box and Reynolds found himself unmarked to header home from 6 yards out.

Dunipace's Henderson's day was to go from bad to worse minutes later when he fouled Reynolds in the box after the striker turned brilliantly. Paterson took the spot kick but McCurlay pulled off a fantastic save to deny the visitors their fourth goal.

The home fans hoped that this would be the catalyst for the Pace players to up their game but instead their heads went downwards and Lochore continued to dominate the game. Govan and McIllduff were introduced to the match in place of Kane and Buchanan but despite their individual efforts there were too many Dunipace players already resigned to defeat.

On 70 minutes, McCurlay continued his heroics when he produced a quite magnificent double save from Ferguson at point blank range and yet again on the 75th minute when Lochore striker Donnolly turned Oates in the box only for McCurley to close him down and clear the ball away.

Dunipaces last real chance was in the 86th minute when Mullen sent the ball into the Lochore box, the opposing defenders failed to clear their lines however after a scramble to get the ball clear Pincombe was unable to convert his right foot shot.

There was a deathly silence coming from the home dressing room after the final whistle. Manager Craig McKinlay & Mick McCafferty will have spoken a few home truths to the players involved and no doubt look to change the blueprint over the next 2 weeks. On the day though, Lochore were worthy winners and the club wish them all the best in their Scottish Cup conquest.

Lochore: McMahin, Wilson, Graham, Fyfe, Vaughan, Duncan, Goodwin (Graham 65 mins), Paterson (McGuire 89 mins), Ferguson (Penman 86 mins), Reynolds, Donnolly
Subs not used: Shankland, McGregor
Booked: Reynolds