Ashfield F & A C 2 Irvine Meadow 3, Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2.15pm

Ashfield came within 10 minutes of pulling off the shock result of the Season and were good value for their 2-1 lead after putting in a tremendous effort. Trailing 1-0 at the interval from the penalty spot. Two goals from Paul Maxwell had Ashfield in `dreamland` until Frank Haggerty stepped up 10 minutes to go to drill in a free-kick with the aid of a deflection. Ashfield should have had a penalty on the 90th Minute but Referee Cook turned it down and to make matters worse, the visitors scored the winner 6 minutes into injury time. A Cruel blow for the` field who performed magnificently in front of their biggest home crowd of the season.

The expectant crowd were looking for a repeat of last week`s pulsating 90 Minutes, however the game started slightly subdued with the visitors holding the upper hand for the first 20 minutes without causing much concern to Chris Prior in the Ashfield goal. Brian McGinty was linking up well with his Midfield for the visitors, however Ashfield were marking playmaker Frank Haggerty very closely after his wonderful performance last week. It was a midfield tussle and chances were few and far between during the first period of the match.

Again similar to last week`s match when Ashfield were beginning to assert themselves in the match they found themselves a goal down after Gordon Passmore infringed just inside the area with the Referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The Ex-St Mirren & Rangers forward Brian McGinty stroked the ball home to the delight of the large travelling support. Ashfield 0 Irvine Meadow 1.

Ashfield responded well to this setback and were beginning to trouble the Meadow back four, with Craig Smith`s pace proving troublesome. Ashfield came close just on half time when Mark Thomson`s header from a corner sailed wide, however Ashfield were very much in the game and the Meadow knew that the one goal would probably not be enough.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 0 IRVINE MEADOW 1

After the cautious first half play, no one could have envisaged the terrific second half showing from both teams which really had everything - 4 goals, 2 sending-off`s & controversial Refereeing decisions. Ashfield made clear their intentions straight from kick-off when Darren O`Donnell had two great chances to put the `field level, only to eventually hit the side netting when it seemed easier to score. However the home support didn`t have long to wait to celebrate after Craig Smith`s pace won Ashfield a corner on the 54th Minute. Alistair Martin delivered a lovely corner to the front post where Paul Maxwell bulleted a header into the net to put Ashfield level. Ashfield 1 Irvine Meadow 1.

Ashfield had the Cup favourites on the back foot now and Ali Martin was linking up well with Mark Thomson on the left hand side and it was this duo that brought Ashfield`s 2nd goal 6 minutes later. Captain Mark Thomson played the ball through the Irvine defence where Paul Maxwell reacted the quickest and `dinked` the ball past the onrushing keeper with the ball trickling in off the post to put Ashfield ahead to the jubilation of the home support. Ashfield 2 Irvine Meadow 1.

With half an hour to go, could Ashfield hold out and cause the biggest upset of the Season ? The visitors made a couple of substitutions to try and salvage the match however the `field were holding up well with Craig Smith`s pace still causing the Meadow back four some serious problems. The game started to get a bit tousy which wasn`t helped by the Referee`s insistence on producing cards for virtually every challenge. It had been a very sporting affair similar to the first game, however Stevie Martin was crudely brought down in the middle of the park which sparked a reaction from the home players. As the time ticked away, the Meadow were guilty of overhitting their front players with the strong wind not helping them. With only 9 minutes to go, Referee Cook penalised Ashfield and awarded the Meadow a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Frank Haggerty who had been well shackled all match produced his magic again and whipped the ball into the back of the net via a deflection. This was a sore one for the home team as the Free-Kick appeared harsh, however it was game-on again and we were only 9 minutes from a penalty shoot-out. Ashfield 2 Irvine Meadow 2.

Both teams had a `real go` at each other in a rousing finale with chances for either side. Firstly Irvine Meadow were awarded a free kick again on the edge of the box after a late challenge from Gordon Passmore. Brian McGinty, who had been booked earlier, spoke out of turn to the card-happy Referee & found himself leaving the field for a second yellow. Ashfield cleared the danger and with a minute to go, Craig Smith got the better of the visitors defence however was clearly infringed just inside the box..........penalty not given by the Official to the dismay of the home team.

Just as both teams were thinking about who was to take the spot kicks, Ashfield`s world caved in. Ashfield`s Captain, Mark Thomson found himself in the Referee`s book again and was shown Red. As Ashfield tried to re-organise for the corner in the 6th minute of injury time the kick was delivered to the back post which unfortunately fell to the Irvine Meadow Substitute who lashed the ball into the roof of the net to the ecstasy of the away support and the Cup favourites had triumphed as the Referee blew for time up at the re-start. Ashfield 2 Irvine Meadow 3.

What an epic second half it was - great entertainment for the fans however it was agonising for the Ashfield management, players and support, nevertheless they can be extremely proud of their efforts against a top quality team in what has been an excellent Scottish Junior Cup run for the famous Glasgow team this season.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD 2 IRVINE MEADOW 3

Man of the Match:- A sterling effort from the whole team, however Paul Maxwell and Craig Smith could not be separated and share the MOM this week. Craig`s pace was terrrifc and `Maxi`s` 2 goals were nearly enough for Ashfield.

Attendance:- 500

Photographs by:- Inga