Newmachar Utd v Lossiemouth United

Newmachar Utd 1-1 Lossiemouth Utd (Newmachar win 5-4 on penalties)

We made it through to the Quarter finals of the Elginshire Cup after a hard fought game against a much improved away side on penalties.

The first half was even with both teams having a right go at each other with some decent possession football being played by both sides. The away side played some good football through their midfield but did not create any real chances to trouble Simon Mitchell in our goal apart from the good save from a driven cross. We were more of a threat in the final third and created 3/4 good chances by the away keeper pulled off some good saves from Conor Watt, Calum Reid and Josh Reynolds but the best chance fell to Conor Watt when he was played in after Stevo Young had played a quick free kick over the defence. He managed to round the keeper but a heavy second touch took the ball away from goal and his effort from a very tight angle went right across the goal line and eventually cleared. The entertaining first half ended all square

HT 0-0

We came out for the second half with a renewed desire and quickly pinned the away side in their own half. We were keeping good possession and were creating a number of half chances as the final ball was just now finding its way to our strikers feet.

Liam Mewse had a spectacular overhead kick attempt saved well by the keeper and Connor Walton had played in a couple of delightful cross box balls that just needed a touch.

We did go ahead on the hour mark when a corner was drilled in by Lewis Robertson and Stewart Gerrie made a great run to the near post area and he directed his header into the far corner. Just reward for all our pressure, however no matter how much possession we had we just could not find a second to kill the game off and with about 5 minutes left their midfielder dribbled into the box and was clipped by one of our defenders and the referee awarded a penalty.

The away midfielder placed a shot past Simon Mitchell to draw the game level.

We still had another chance to win it when a 22 yard angled free kick from Kyle Munro hit the far post but was cleared. The game finished 1-1 and went straight to penalties.

We went first and Ryan Cormack had his effort saved. Lossie scored their first penalty. Kyle Munro then rattled his high into the net. Simon Mitchell then saved the next away penalty. From then Conor Watt, Lewis Robertson, Greg Wood, Stewart Gerrie and finally Calum Reid scored our penalties. Simon then almost got to the 3rd and 4th away penalties but on the 6th he pulled off a great save to put us through to the next round.

NUFC Team – Mitchell, Walton, Robertson, B Dryburgh, Young, Reynolds, Munro, Reid, Mewse, Watt, Whelan

Subs – Duthie, Cormack, Gerrie, E Dryburgh, Dawson, Wood, Collins

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…