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Cup defence starts with victory

Wishaw High School F.P’s progressed through this tricky 2^nd round tie against Gibshill from Port Glasgow on the indoor astro surface at Ravenscraig last Saturday. The F.P’s got off to a flyer when defender Wull Montgomery side footed the ball home from close range after a well worked short corner between David Napier and Gary Miller with the latter delivering a superb low drive across the Gibshill 6 yard line which Montgomery slotted home comfortably. 10 minutes later however Gibshill drew level with a spectacular effort when Daniel Mains crossed to the back post and his cross was met on the volley by Jamie Leonard and the ball flew past F.P’s keeper Paul O’Hara into the roof of the net. To their credit however, The F.P’s rolled the sleeves up and stormed back with some good attacking football and Gary Miller delivered a cross come shot which eluded the outstretched arms of Gibshill No 1 Scott Sweeney and found the top far corner of the net to put The F.P’s 2-1 up on 27 minutes. 5 minutes later and F.P’s forward Ally Wilson made it 3-1 when he rose powerfully to notch himself a goal after Brett Ansell had clipped a good ball back into the Gibshill penalty area. Gary Miller with a trademark 25 yard free kick was unlucky not to put the F.P’s further in front when his effort sailed only a yard over the Gibshill crossbar with Sweeney well beaten.

Gibshill showed early in the 2^nd period that they wouldn’t be lying down easily and signalled their intentions when Angus McKenzie fired a stunning 25 yard drive off The F.P’s crossbar with only 5 minutes gone in the half and then minutes later nearly repeated this effort with this time O’Hara watching closely as the effort sailed just over the bar. With 15 minutes remaining F.P’s substitute Steven Murdoch should have closed out the match when he found himself clear at the edge of the Gibshill penalty box but his well drive sailed a yard wide of the far post. With 12 minutes remaining Gibshill ensured a nervy end to the match when sub Craig McAirn fired an excellent shot into the bottom corner despite looking a good yard offside but to his credit he didn’t hang about waiting for the referee’s whistle and the goal was allowed to stand. With Gibshill pushing for an equaliser, The F.P’s Brett Ansell put the result beyond doubt when with 5 minutes remaining, he volleyed home from 16 yards after The Gibshill Defence had cleared a cross into the box from Stevie Murdoch.

This Saturday, The F.P’s have a 2^nd round away tie in The West of Scotland Cup against Blantyre Rangers, venue for this match is still to be decided. The F.P’s players and Committee would like to give their heartfelt thanks to Howdens Joinery Co, for sponsoring last Saturdays match and also to The Waverley Bar and Howesons butchers in Newmains for supplying the after match fare and hospitality.

Line Up: O’Hara, McLaughlan (Burnside), Napier, Montgomery, Jamieson, Miller, Ansell, Mackie (McKenzie), Littlejohn, Patrick (Murdoch), Wilson.