ABERDOUR Shinty Club’s seconds were spot-on as they sealed a memorable Bullough Cup quarter-final triumph over Kyles Athletic last Saturday.
Craig Callaghan’s youngsters held their nerve against their higher-ranked opponents to win a sudden-death penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw and seal a place in the last four of the competition.
‘Dour’s first-team coach Lisa MacColl hailed their victory as a “real achievement” as the Kyles second team play in South Division One, the same league as the West Fifers’ first team.
Although the visitors started well, Aberdour found themselves ahead at half-time thanks to 17-year-old Harry Simpkins but by the hour mark, Kyles had turned the contest around to lead through Cairn Limbert and Malcolm MacFadyen.
The home side fought back, however, and after substitute Jamie Anderson forced extra-time, Chris Bowerman fired home what looked like being the winner with just four minutes remaining.
There was to be one further twist in the final minute when, after the award of a controversial corner, Craig Martin levelled again for Kyles to take it to a shoot-out.
With the scores tied at 1-1 after five penalties each, a save from goalkeeper Craig Bowerman allowed Sam Evans to fire home the winner for Aberdour and set up a semi-final tie with Kilmory next month.
MacColl said: “It was a great win because Kyles are always difficult.
“Craig and I have been working on their mindset, telling them it’s amazing what you can achieve if you work hard but sometimes, especially with younger players, they need to see it before they believe it.
“Kyles probably had more chances but didn’t score as many, which is good because taking chances used to be a problem for us.
“Craig was delighted they were 1-0 up but knew Kyles would come out fighting and, for the first 20 minutes of the second half, we took our foot off the gas a bit and it looked like we might get steamrollered.
“But after about 70 minutes they found themselves again.
“Jamie put the ball past the keeper to take it into extra time and they played well for the whole of it.
“Sam has only been back for two weeks after a year and a half out through injury, so it was brilliant for him to score. ”
While the seconds enjoy a well-earned free week, the firsts are back in league action against Glenorchy this afternoon as they bid to continue their promotion push.
MacColl added: “We were disappointed to draw there (at Glenorchy) the last time we played. It will be a tough game and we’ll need to be a bit more clinical.”
Throw up at Silver Sands is at 2.30pm.
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