YFS
Forfar Athletic’s display against the favourites for the tie, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was full of grit and determination. As a result they emerged from the game victorious, courtesy of a sublimely taken goal by Paul McLellan, and they will progress onwards in the Scottish Youth Cup.
For the first quarter of an hour both teams were equally matched with some early half chances from either side.
Afterwards Inverness started to edge ahead in terms of goal scoring opportunities. In the 34th minute Inverness were awarded a free kick and the resulting shot was well saved by Forfar goalkeeper John Bonnar and pushed out for a corner. The ball was launched straight back into the box from the corner and, following a couple of ricochets, Inverness’ Jason Brown’s eventual shot flew just past the post.
Inverness continued to keep the pressure up on Forfar with Chris Blackett’s close range shot expertly saved by Bonnar, again being pushed out for a corner.
The resulting corner was almost a mirror image of the previous corner in the 34th minute with the ball landing to the feet of Brown after a ricochet. This time, however, Brown’s strike found the target only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Forfar defender Ben Smith.
Inverness striker Calum Ferguson, who had an impressive first half, had a shot blocked on the 43rd minute by Jack Neave and Bonnar easily picked up the ball once the sting had been entirely taken out of the shot.
Forfar still remained a threat with winger Cameron Clark cutting in from the wing and firing a shot from distance, which sailed over the goal just before the half time whistle went.
From Inverness’ point of view they would have been disappointed not to capitalise on their first half momentum.