YFS
After the match was postponed the previous week, Culter Colts and East Stirlingshire Galaxy finally met in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. It was Culter who were to secure progression with a 5-1 win. Their goals were scored by Jamie Thomson, Orin Collin and three by Scott Martin, while Galaxy’s goal was scored by Christian Griffin.
As play got underway, it was clear that both teams were eager to remain in the competition as they challenged for the ball. However it was the home side who were to have the first real chance, with Orin Collin driving down the wing, but Galaxy’s Charlie Smith closed in and tapped the ball out to relieve the pressure on his side.
Culter continued to press through Scott Martin, who shot from wide to the left but failed to find his target. From the ensuing corner, Andrew MacPherson crossed the ball into the box where it was palmed away by Galaxy goalkeeper, William MacKenzie. The ball landed at the feet of Culter’s Jamie Thomson, who tapped it in to put his side in the lead with six minutes played.
Play was taken to the other end with Galaxy exchanging some strong passes and from wide to the right, Christian Griffin crossed the ball into the box but it was kept out by Culter goalkeeper, Balint Demus.
The home side then took play back to the other end and as East Stirlingshire made to clear, MacKenzie’s kick was charged down by Martin who slipped it past the visiting keeper to add his name to the score sheet in the seventh minute.
The visitors were eager to narrow the gap and Griffin, Smith and Rory MacGregor set up some interchanging play to press forward. However Smith’s shot from twenty yards and wide to the right was kept out by Demus.
Galaxy had another chance as Griffin broke down the wing before passing inside for Nathan Whyte whose shot from twenty-five yards was denied by Demus.
Culter put together a great series of passes to gradually work their way up the pitch before MacPherson put the ball into space for Martin. However MacKenzie swept in to smother the ball and deny the well created chance for the home side.
Smith made another break before putting the ball wide to Finlay Mackay but his cross found the side of the net. From the corner which followed, Smith crossed the ball into the box but Demus caught it before Galaxy could make the most of their chance.
Using his blistering pace, Griffin made another break down the wing. He shot from the edge of the box but it was deflected by Demus, and cleared by Jack Fiddes.
Orin Collin drove the ball forward for the home side, with Galaxy’s Jacob Hill closing in. Collin shot from the corner of the box but the ball went wide. Culter continued to press, but Harcus’ volleying shot went over the crossbar.
The home side were not to be denied and MacPherson put the ball into space for Martin, who beat several defenders and sent the ball into the back of the net in the twenty-seventh minute.
As Galaxy rallied to try and get their side on the score sheet, Griffin was brought down in the box by Conan Kennedy and the visitors were awarded a penalty in the thirtieth minute. Smith’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar by Demus and from the rebound, Culter cleared.
Immediately on the counterattack, Collin drove the ball forward and crossed the ball from wide on the right. The ball went in off the post to add a fourth goal in the thirty-second minute.
Collin tried the same attack only moments later but this time, MacKenzie was able to smother the ball before the Culter player could shoot.
Determined to score before the half-time whistle, Galaxy exchanged some great passes before Griffin broke through the defence. He lured the goalkeeper out but his shot was wide.
