Not quite a tale of David and Goliath, however some instinctive finishing and resolute defending provided Baljaffray Utd with a shock 3-2 victory over favourites St Convals YFC.

A game of two halves; PJDYFL Division Three side Baljaffray took a two goal lead in the first half, before St Convals - a Division Two team - clawed their way back into the game to set up extra time where Baljaffray scored the winner to proceed to the second round.

On a gloriously sunny September Saturday, it was a perfect afternoon for the first round of the Scottish Cup. 

Additionally, with both sides winning comfortably on their last outings, it had the makings of a good game of football, and the boys didn’t disappoint.

It was St Convals who carved the first chance of the match, when a corner came in which Robert Caldwell met with a bullet header, but luckily for Baljaffray they had someone on the post to hook clear.

However, a few minutes later, Baljaffray took the early ascendency. Straight from a throw in on the right, the ball found Cameron Dodds inside the Saints box - he took a touch and laid it back to number 15 Robert Morgan, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net to give his side a dream start.

Saints most certainly didn’t panic despite the early setback, although it was evident their boys were growing frustrated as they struggled to get a foothold of the game and retain possession.

They did create another golden opportunity with 20 minutes gone though. Gavin McKay ran down left hand side of the box before turning and cutting the ball back to Rhys Weir whose powerful shot inside the area swerved just wide.

As the half wore on, Baljaffray were awarded a free kick for a silly foul from Saints defender Kyle McKendrick on the right wing. Morgan delivered an enticing cross into the six-yard box for the unmarked Adam Lyall to double the underdog’s lead. 

Poor defending from the St Convals backline and ‘keeper who missed the ball, but take nothing away from the terrific ball from Morgan, who was superb throughout.

The referee signalled for half time shortly after, with the Bearsden side well worth their lead by capitalising on errors made by the home team.

With St Convals’ Scottish Cup hopes hanging by a thread, they had to come out and throw the kitchen sink at Baljaffray – and that’s exactly what they did.

McKay provided Kyle McInnes with an early test as the number 10’s forceful shot stung the keeper’s hands as he got down low to his right to keep the ball out.

However, neither McInnes nor his solid defence could keep the potent Saints attack out all day. A corner was floated in from the right, and after a scrap in the box to win the ball, it eventually landed at Marc Cooper’s feet as he volleyed the ball high into the net, similar to Baljaffray’s first goal.

The St Convals onslaught continued as they had a free kick from winger Reece McDonald go agonisingly close to levelling the game, but McInnes produced another fantastic one-handed save.

Perhaps the best save of them all moments after, McInnes managed to beat the ball away from a goal bound header from McKay at the back post after an inch perfect cross from Bayley Hindle on the right wing.

With little over 15 minutes left on the clock, St Convals pressure finally paid dividends. Weir played a lofted ball over the top of the Baljaffray defence for Hindle to show his sheer pace and power as he calmly slotted underneath the onrushing McInnes.

Full of confidence after recovering the two goal deficit, Saints continued their dominance and looked more likely to score. However, the resolute Baljaffray defence stood strong, with both left sided defenders Lyall and Darroch playing particularly well with various important blocks and interceptions.

After 80 minutes, a winner could not be decided as Baljaffray held out to force extra time in this Scottish Cup tie.