Scottish Cups 2009/10
Daily Record Scottish Cup - 18 Oct. 2009
2nd Round
Summerhill 5-2 Buckie United
It was an early start for United as they set off on the journey to Aberdeen for their scottish cup clash with Summerhill. The granite city greeted the Buckie side with dark clouds and pouring rain, which was maybe a sign of things to come. United started well enough but the 1st real chance of the match didn't arrive until the 14th minute when a curling Summerhill shot was tipped over by Riddoch in the Buckie goal. Just 2 minutes later Ali Macrae wasted a glorious chance when a through ball left him a chance to slot home from 6 yards but he screwed it agonisingly wide. Buckie kept up the pressure and a couple of minutes later Dave Main headed an in-swinging corner past the far post. There wasn't much more in the way of clear cut chances until the 39th minute when Joe GERRIE raced onto a through ball and sidefooted under the keeper to give United the lead. Gerrie almost doubled his and Uniteds tally 2 minutes later when a volley from the edge of the box was tipped round the post by the Summerhill keeper. Dave Main fired just over the bar moments later as Buckie threatened to put this game to bed before the break but disaster struck right on half time as Buckie keeper Riddoch let a 25 yard volley slip through his hands and into the net to hand the Aberdeen side an undeserved equaliser.
Half time: 1-1
The 2nd half almost started as bad as the 1st ended for United but Kevin Whyte just managed to hook a header off the goal line. Moments later another Summerhill attack ended with a shot flashing just past the post. Greig Sinclair was forced to come off injured in 52 minutes with Billy Duncan taking his place in defence. In 54 minutes Summerhill went close yet again with a low shot but they did finally take the lead 4 minutes later when a low shot was sidefooted home at the far post. In 68 minutes it was 3-1 to the city side as a tricky solo run ended up with a low shot into the net from 15 yards. With 15 minutes remaining Summerhill killed off the tie when a fine 20 yard strike flew into the roof of the net for number four. Joe GERRIE drilled home under the keeper from 8 yards in 79 minutes to give United a glimmer of hope but Summerhill went straight up the park and restored their 3 goal advantage to compound a miserable 2nd half for Buckie.
Verdict: A very disappointing result in the end for United. They were the better side in the 1st half and Summerhill didn't look like scoring until that disasterous equaliser right on half time that seemed to swing the whole match in the Aberdeen teams favour. Buckie were never in the game after the break and losing Greig Sinclair through injury in 52 minutes was a big blow. Summerhill were a decent side but no better than the top sides from our own league and it was a match that United could've and should've won.
Man of the Match: Joe Gerrie
United: S.Riddoch, N.Walls, G.Sinclair (B.Duncan), D.Main, D.Bain, S.Farquhar, J.Gerrie, K.Whyte, J.Cooper, D.Bruce (G.MacKay), A.Macrae (K.Geddes)
Donald McNair Scottish Cup - 25 Oct. 2009
2nd Round
Golf Inn 0-2 Buckie United
United made the trip to Montrose for what looked a tough Scottish Cup tie against Montrose Welfare champions Golf Inn, who are undefeated in their league this season. Two weeks ago Golf Inn had thrashed Neptune 16-1 while our own league runners up Bishopmill Villa had only beaten Neptune 4-2 last week so it looked a daunting task for United. After last weeks disappointing 2nd half collapse against Summerhill, a better display was needed if the Scottish cup adventures were to continue. Buckie started the game well, the passing was sharp and neat and this allowed them to be on top early on. The game was just 15 minutes old when United took the lead. A sensational 30 yard shot from David BAIN flew past the keeper into the top corner of the net. On 22 minutes an Ali Macrae volley dipped just over the bar. Within a minute Macrae had another chance but headed a Joe Gerrie cross wide. On 32 minutes United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Gerrie's curling shot looked destined for the top corner but Golf keeper Bryce Elgin pulled off a terrific save to tip round the post. Buckie weren't to be denied though and just a minute later a David Bruce cross was bulleted into the net from the head of Sam CLARK. Scott Thain went close for United on 43 minutes and seconds later a Golf Inn shot fizzed past the post at the other end.
Half time: 0-2
At the break United were urged not to take their foot off the gas and make the same mistake as the Summerhill game. They came out and continued to look solid although Golf Inn stepped up their performance level in search of an equaliser. Joe Gerrie forced the home keeper into a save on 51 minutes. Ten minutes later Golf Inn went close again, a low shot went just past the far post. In the 63rd minute Neil Duthie broke clear and had a great chance to make it 3-0 but he fired straight into the keepers chest. In less than a minute he nearly had the ball in the net again, a header was cleared off the line. David Bruce had a good chance but shot wide in 80 minutes and then Gary McKay was twice one on one with the keeper in the closing minutes but wasted both opportunities.
Verdict: A much better performance and result this week for United. They played very well in the 1st half to get the two goal cushion and in the 2nd half they were solid enough to hold onto their lead and should've had a couple more goals. The alcohol fuelled sing song and banter on the bus home made it a great day all round for the lads. Next up in the scottish cup adventure is a 3rd round trip to Dumbarton to face Myre Athletic in a couple weeks time, which will hopefully end up with a similar result and more singing and wise cracks on the bus afterwards.
Man of the Match: Scott Thain
United: B.Belcher, N.Walls, S.Clark, S.Farquhar, D.Bain (B.Mair), J.Gerrie (K.Geddes), S.Thain, J.Cooper, D.Bruce, A.Macrae (G.McKay), N.Duthie.
Donald McNair Scottish Cup - 8 Nov. 2009
3rd Round
Myre Athletic 3-5 Buckie United
The Scottish Cup adventure continued for United with a difficult 3rd Round tie away to top Glasgow side Myre Athletic. Myre were sitting 2nd top of the Central Scotland welfare league with 2 games in hand, had only conceded 9 goals this season and boasted 2 players who used to be on the books with Glasgow Rangers so United were going to have to be at their best to win this one. With Myre's pitch in Dumbarton waterlogged, Buckie found themselves playing in Paisley next to St. Mirren FC's new stadium. The match couldn't have started better as United flew out of the traps and were ahead after barely a minute. Neil Duthie broke clear down the wing and squared for Joe GERRIE to sidefoot home from 12 yards. Buckie went close again just 3 minutes later when Neil Duthie ran through on goal but uncharacteristically sidefooted past the far post. United were giving the home side a torrid time with excellent passing and movement. Duthie and Gerrie both went close again before the inevitable 2nd goal arrived in 20 minutes. A high ball lofted from midfield was met beautifully by a Neil DUTHIE volley which flew into the roof of the net. On the half hour mark a blinding United display brought a 3rd goal when Joe GERRIE finished well. The goal of the match was scored in the 39th minute when a wonderful passing move from Buckie ended with a cross floated into the box for Joe GERRIE to volley past the keeper for his hat-trick. The half time whistle brought to an end a stunning 1st half display from United.
Half Time: 0-4
A half time rollicking for the Glasgow side seemed to have the desired effect as they came out strongly in the 2nd half, eager to show the away side that they were no mugs. Within 3 minutes of the restart it was 4-1 as Myre drilled a shot inside the far post. 3 minutes later they had the ball in the net again as a stunned United were left reeling. And just 2 minutes after that a brilliant volley flew past United keeper Belcher to make it 4-3 just 8 minutes into the 2nd half. Buckie looked as if they could implode as the Glasgow side had their tails up with the belief they could now win this game. A bemused looking United finally got their act together though and came back into the match as the game see-sawed back and forth with both sides desperate for the vital next goal. It was Buckie who got the goal though as a corner allowed Graham McLean and Joe Gerrie to try a move they had discussed before the match. Just as McLean was about to take the corner Gerrie suddenly dropped out to the corner of the box. A sidefooted pass from McLean gave Joe GERRIE just enough time to get his shot away before the defender closed him down. The shot curled high past the keeper into the top corner of the net to send the Buckie contingent into raptures of delight. Both sides went close after this with Belcher producing several terrific saves. Myre pushed hard the last ten minutes with corner after corner but the United rearguard held firm to complete a terrific victory and send Buckie into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
Verdict: The 1st half display from United in this match was nothing short of sensational. Myre are no mugs but Buckie tore them to shreds with some fantastic football and it was 4 going on 8. A full strength United side on top form are very difficult for any side to handle at this level. The roof threatened to cave in on them after Myre came back strongly after the break to score 3 times in 8 minutes. Lesser teams might've buckled but the lads showed tremendous character to get back into the game and score another through the terrific Joe Gerrie. This was a big scalp for United and when the last 16 draw is made on friday they should fear no one. Well done lads, great result.
Man of the Match: Joe Gerrie
United: B.Belcher, N.Walls, S.Clark, S.Farquhar, G.Sinclair, D.Main, S.Thain (G.McKay), J.Cooper (K.Geddes), G.McLean, J.Gerrie, N.Duthie (G.Thain)
Donald McNair Scottish Cup - 5 Dec. 2009
4th Round
Buckie United 0-0 Blairhall VB (A.E.T)
Buckie United win 5-4 on penalties
Buckie faced their sternest task yet as they faced Scottish Cup champions of 2 years ago Blairhall VB in the 4th Round. The match had to be played at Buckie Rovers pitch at Merson park due to the rugby goals being up at United's home at Linzee Gordon park. Blairhall were captained by ex Raith Rovers and Arbroath player John Allison so they had experience and quality in their side. The 1st half was a largely scrappy affair with the away side on top but struggling to break down the stubborn United defence. A header flashed over the bar and Belcher had a terrific save as he tipped round the post. Buckie came close as well though when Neil Duthie jinked past 2 players in the box but the keeper saved well at the near post. Not much in the way of chances really as the match was more of a midfield battle.
Half Time: 0-0
The 2nd half continued largely the same as the 1st, with Blairhall having most of the possession but not really creating much. Belcher had another couple of good saves and Duthie pulled a shot across goal at the other end. It was still stalemate after the 90 minutes so the match went into extra time. United finally started to get on top in extra time as their superior fitness began to show through. They pushed for the single goal that would surely win this tie but it just wouldn't come. Still no goals at the end mean't the lottery of a penalty shoot out. Dave Main, Neil Duthie, David Bruce and Ben Mair all converted and with Blairhall missing their 2nd kick Jordan Gerrie stepped up and fired home the winning penalty to spark scenes of wild celebration from the home side.
Verdict: A fantastic outcome for United as they claimed a big scalp in the latest episode of the scottish cup adventure. It wasn't a great performance but its the result that matters in the end. United were just one game away from relegation last september yet now they find themselves in the last 8 of the national competition in whats been an amazing turn around. The rock solid defence refused to give in to Blairhall's pressure in the 1st 90 minutes. Extra time was a better display from the home side as they now stand just one game away from equalling United's best ever run in the Scottish Cup. Well done lads, brilliant result.
United: B.Belcher, G.Sinclair, S.Farquhar, S.Clark, N.Walls (B.Mair), G.McLean (J.Cooper), D.Main, S.Thain, J.Gerrie, N.Duthie, A.Macrae (D.Bruce)
