3pm 26 September 2015
Scottish Cup, First Round
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 3 Kelty Hearts 0 (att 220)
It might not capture the attention of the majority of football followers in Scotland, but Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale's comprehensive win over junior side Kelty Hearts was a pretty big cup upset.
Junior teams, particularly in the central belt, are generally among the best non-League sides in Scotland, and Kelty would have been strong favourites to see off senior opposition in the shape of last season's East of Scotland League champions.
Kelty had the backing of more than half the crowd at Saughton Enclosure, but the Fife team never really got going. They were out-fought and out-battled by a home side who seemed to have much more desire to win the tie.
Lothian had already missed one great chance to go in front when a penalty, correctly awarded in my opinion, was converted to put them in front. As a neutral, I expected Kelty to react to that setback, but just before half time the home side slotted home a second.
The junior side were better after the break, but with a decent lead to defend Lothian kept their opponents at bay and looked to hit them on the break. The third goal, after 83 minutes, settled the tie, and with better finishing the final score might have been higher.
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale - a convoluted name following the merger of two clubs a few years ago - play on a grass pitch enclosed by a running track at the Saughton Sports Complex. There's no stands, and spectators make do with shallow grass banking for an elevated, if distant, view of the action.
Scottish Cup, First Round
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 3 Kelty Hearts 0 (att 220)
It might not capture the attention of the majority of football followers in Scotland, but Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale's comprehensive win over junior side Kelty Hearts was a pretty big cup upset.
Junior teams, particularly in the central belt, are generally among the best non-League sides in Scotland, and Kelty would have been strong favourites to see off senior opposition in the shape of last season's East of Scotland League champions.
Kelty had the backing of more than half the crowd at Saughton Enclosure, but the Fife team never really got going. They were out-fought and out-battled by a home side who seemed to have much more desire to win the tie.
Lothian had already missed one great chance to go in front when a penalty, correctly awarded in my opinion, was converted to put them in front. As a neutral, I expected Kelty to react to that setback, but just before half time the home side slotted home a second.
The junior side were better after the break, but with a decent lead to defend Lothian kept their opponents at bay and looked to hit them on the break. The third goal, after 83 minutes, settled the tie, and with better finishing the final score might have been higher.
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale - a convoluted name following the merger of two clubs a few years ago - play on a grass pitch enclosed by a running track at the Saughton Sports Complex. There's no stands, and spectators make do with shallow grass banking for an elevated, if distant, view of the action.
Comments
Post a Comment