Keith 4 v Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2
MAROONS EDGE THROUGH IN EXTRA-TIME THRILLER
Well, this was a Boxing Day Scottish Cup thriller and no mistake, with Keith advancing into the Second Round after a pulsating 120 minutes against East of Scotland Premier Division side Hill of Beath Hawthorn.
Sadly, no fans could be present, but those of us lucky to witness it had six goals, a goal scored direct from a corner, Keith’s 100th Scottish Cup goal, and endless end to end action.
There was an early scare for the Maroons when Greg Simpson fumbled a corner, with the danger being cleared. However, the home side seemed set for an easy afternoon when talismanic skipper and all time top scorer Cammy Keith rattled home his 10th Scottish Cup goal in the 12h minute.
Well, no, because within five minutes it was level pegging. The home rearguard gave away a free kick right on the edge of the box and Brandon Luke brilliantly whacked it into the top corner. A further blow came Keith’s way when influential defender Ryan Spink hobbled off with a hamstring injury after only 21 minutes.
The sprightly visitors were taking the game to their hosts, and they got their noses in front nine minutes from the break when a failure to clear their lines, saw Beath net from eight yards through Ryan Connelly.
Simpson then produced the first of several fine stops pulling off a fine point blank save two minutes from half-time to deny Connelly again.
Craig Macaskill’s introduction in the 53rd minute gave the Maroons more width to their side, but it was the home side that had another let off on the hour mark amidst a goalmouth melee, the ball screwed inches past the post. Then Simpson pulled off another terrific save to deny Connelly once more.
However, there was jubilation in the home camp with 73 minutes played, when Scott Gray, only on the field for three minutes, darted in to slam home the equaliser, Keith’s 100th Scottish Cup goal. The Maroons began ot pile on the pressure and Liam Strachan went close with a 15 yarder, and in the dying seconds Macaskill screwed an angled shot inches past the foot of the far post.
That signalled the period of extra time and two goals in a minute sank Beath, placing the Maroons into the next round thanks to a spirited never say die attitude. Eight minutes into the first period a Craig Macaskill corner from the left hand side, evaded everybody in the crowded Beath six yard box, and flew into the corner of the net. Barely sixty seconds later, Michael Selfridge’s industrious afternoon bore him fruit when he whipped the ball home from 10 yards. Game well and truly over!
An excellent advert for cup football, and a deserved spot in the next round of the national competition for the Maroons.
KEITH – Simpson, Hutcheon, Smith, Yunus (Macaskill 53), Spink (Young 21), Robertson, Brownie, Strachan, Keith, Selfridge, Watt (Gray 70). Subs unused – Stewart, Duncan, Porteous, Dey.
Referee – Mr D Nicolson.
Saturday 26th December 2020, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson