Musselburgh Keep Cup Hopes Alive

Despite an indifferent first half, Musselburgh Athletic go forward to play Newtongrange Star for a place in the D J Laing East of Scotland Cup Quarter Final, after running out comfortable winners against a St Andrews side, reduced to ten men before the break. 

Musselburgh Athletic welcomed St Andrews United to Olivebank for this D J Laing East of Scotland Cup tie in the knowledge that they had not won on their home ground since August, other than in a Scottish Junior Cup victory over South Division new boys  Craigroyston back in October. Their Premier League visitors were in no better position - having only a penalty shoot out victory over Dunbar Utd away from their St Andrews home since August. In the First Round "the Burgh' eased past Kirkcaldy YM in Fife while St Andrews managed the aforementioned victory at Dunbar Utd. 

The heavy overnight rain had caused many postponements and the Olivebank pitch was certainly heavy for this encounter. However, the rain had stopped prior to kick off and the park was playable. There was very little wind so it was a fine afternoon for football. 

St Andrews started brightly and in the first minute Falconer headed straight at Renton from a Duffy free kick. After seven minutes, Hendry blasted over after when the ball fell to him after a throw in was headed away. A minute later, Graham had a shot deflected for a corner which came to nothing. In the visitor's next attack a Duffy corner was met with an acrobatic overhead kick from Morrison, but Donaldson cleared the effort off the line.  It had been an enterprising start from St Andrews with Henry prominent and looking a goal threat. 

Burgh couldn't get going but after 15 minutes they scored in their first foray forward. The built play up patiently on the right and when Davie tried a shot the ball was deflected past a helpless Hunter by FLEMING- very much against the run of play ! 

The goal really energised Athletic and in their next attack King should have scored when he rose to head an accurate Davie cross,  but he put his effort over. 

Saints were on the back foot,  but after 22 minutes they worked the ball from right to left and Hendry fired a fine shot past Renton into the bottom left corner - a smart strike from 20 yards. At this stage the equaliser was no more than the lower league side deserved. 

After 28 minutes,  Athletic nearly took the lead when McManus met a Thomson corner at the far post but Hunter turned his effort away. However, a goal was not far away and within seconds DAVIE tried a shot which was again deflected past the helpless Hunter. 

Musselburgh were beginning to dominate the game and after 38 minutes their cause was given a great boost,  when United were reduced to ten men. Schiavone seemed to say something to the referee and received a straight red! 

It was a strange half of football with St Andrews failing to capitalise on some bright attacking football before twice falling behind. Musselburgh started slowly but then began to play some decent football and with the game finely balanced there was the bizarre sending off! 

Half Time  Musselburgh Athletic 2; St Andrews United 1 

Musselburgh started the second half on the front foot and Moffat created an opening for O'Kane, but Hunter tipped his effort over. A minute later Davie fired over before Moffat shot over,after good work by King. 

St Andrews were beginning to defend deeper and deeper and creating very little. However, as the hour approached Morrison got on the end of a long ball. He bore down on goal and tried to slip his shot past Renton. The big goalkeeper did well and got a touch on the ball which crept agonising past the post. 

Musselburgh continued to shoot from range and Davie was the next to try his luck. 

With 63 minutes gone United nearly pulled a goal back. Morrison made a good run but his shot was blocked away for a corner. 

However, United attacks were rare and Musselburgh were dominating the midfield against a tiring St Andrews side. With 66 minutes gone, O'Kane crossed to Cherrie but the goalkeeper made a good stop. Four minutes later Athletic got their third. Davie played a through ball down the middle and with St Andrews claiming offside, KING ran onto it and calmly slipped it past Hunter. Two minutes later King had a chance of another but shot straight at Hunter. With 15 minutes left, Thomson had an opening but shot straight at the goalkeeper. 

After 78 minutes Burgh got  their fourth. Substitute Spowart played in a cross and KING slipped home his second. 

King might have had a hat trick with nine minutes left, but his effort from Thomson's cross came back off the crossbar. 

In the last minute SPOWART completed the scoring, when he got on the end of a through ball and managed to force the ball past Hunter. 

The sending off spoilt the game as a contest and came at a time when St Andrews were in with a chance. Musselburgh deserved the win and the second half was very one sided and damage limitation for the visitors. Best for Athletic were Davie and King while Hunter and Hendry gained pass marks for United. St Andrews still have their problems on the road and indiscipline proved their undoing. Musselburgh were not totally convincing in the first half but ended the game well on top. 

Musselburgh have a Saturday off next week while St Andrews go to promotion chasing Sauchie Juniors looking to gain points in their fight against relegation. 

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 5; St Andrews United 1

Musselburgh Athletic

Renton, McManus, Lynch, Cherries, O'Kane, Murphy, Donaldson, King, Davie, Moffat and Thomson Subs Dunn, Spowart, McKenzie

St. Andrews Utd 

Hunter, Honeyman, Perrie, Falconer, Duffy, Morrison, Schiavone, Fleming, Graham, Hendry and Nut  Subs McInnes and Wallace

Gordon Baird 

Neutral Reporter