Ashfield F & A C 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 1 (Ashfield win 4-3 on Penalties) , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 6.30pm

Ashfield reached the Semi Final of the Sectional League Cup this evening defeating Glencairn in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after both teams had fought out a 1-1 draw. An excellent achievement from the `field emulating the1984 Team which reached the Final , only to be beaten by Shotts Bon Accord at Fir Park, Motherwell. Ironically Ashfield will now meet Shotts next Wednesday (3/9/08) in the Semi Final at Saracen Park. (Kick-Off 6.30pm).

Glencairn and Ashfield met for the second time in 5 days this evening, with the `field looking to avenge their narrow 1-0 defeat at New Southcroft Park. Both teams were playing in their away strips with Ashfield playing in Yellow & Blue hoops, and the Glens playing in all red.

It was Glencairn that started the better team and were knocking the ball about extremely well with John Paul Craig causing alarm in the Ashfield defence. Glencairn were playing with confidence after knocking 5 past Cambuslang Rangers on Monday night and Ashfield struggled to get into their rythmn in the early stages. Despite Glencairn`s early dominance, Ashfield were working extremely hard to try and penetrate the Glens defence. Just as it looked like Ashfield had `weathered the storm`, Glencairn opened the scoring after some excellent build up play resulted in the ball being played through to David Carr, who side stepped Stevie McGovern in the Ashfield goal, before despatching the ball into the net. Ashfield 0 Glencairn 1.

Ashfield gradually hauled themselves back into the Match after the setback and finished the half the stronger team. Ashfield were playing some good football down the left side with Sean Carberry and Alistair Martin linking up well. Glencairn were extremely dangerous on the counter-attack and the `field survived a few scares from set pieces towards the end of the half.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 0 GLENCAIRN 1

Ashfield needed to up the 'ante' in the second half as chances were few and far between with both defences on top in the first half. The second half started very similar to the first with neither side really gaining an advantage but Ashfield then seemed to step up a gear as Ryan Cairley in midfield started to play some excellent passes to the Ashfield wingers.

Ashfield were awarded a free-kick approx 25 yards out after 55mins and this time captain Mark Thomson stepped up but his bending right foot effort went sailing over the bar and another chance was squandered. However, it did not take long for Ashfield to grab the vital equaliser on 60mins. Thomson picked the ball up on the 'Glens' right hand side and whipped in a lovely cross with his left foot which evaded the onrushing Ashfield strikers but Gordon Passmore was waiting at the back post to flick the ball goalwards to Paul Maxwell who 'dinked' the ball over the Glencain keeper and into the corner of the net. Ashfield 1 Glencairn 1.

Ashfield obviously gained huge confidence from this goal and started to press forward piling the pressure on the 'Glens' defence. Various changes were made by both teams as fatigue started to set-in on the players. Play ebbed from end-to-end but neither team could create that all important chance to steal the match. Craig Smith replaced Tony Chalmers in the Ashfield forward line and in the 89th minute was unfortunate not to score when he was sent through by Martin Gault. Smith attempted to slide the ball across the goalmouth to Maxwell but his effort was well blocked by the defender only to see the rebound fall back again to Smith who smashed a left foot shot goalwards that again was blocked by two flying Glencairn players.

Both teams were now tiring by the minute and the referee blew for full-time to send this pulsating match into penalty kicks.

Penalty 1: Carr opens the scoring for Glencairn: 1-0
Penalty 2: Thomson strokes the ball to the goalkeepers right to make it: 1-1
Penalty 3: O'Keane regains the lead for Glencairn: 2-1
Penalty 4: Ali Martin calmly wrong foots the goalkeeper to remain level: 2-2
Penalty 5: Boylan steps up for the 'Glens' but McGovern smothers it away: 2-2
Penalty 6: Cairley's shot blocked by the goalkeeper: 2-2
Penalty 7: McArdle regains lead for Glencairn: 3-2
Penalty 8: Sean Carberry smashes it in to make it: 3-3
Penalty 9: Prunty steps up for Glencairn but his drive down the middle is met by McGovern's foot and a great save: 3-3
Penalty 10: Maxwell steps up for Ashfield and slides the ball low, wrong footing the goalkeeper - 4-3 win for Ashfield which sends the team, management and supporters wild with delight!!!.



FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 1 GLENCAIRN 1 (ASHFIELD WIN 4-3 ON PENS)




Video footage of the game here: (Many Thanks to Pollok for this footage):

GAME FOOTAGE:-



PENALTY KICKS FOOTAGE:-




Man of the Match:- Carberry, Cairley and Thomson were outstanding tonight for the 'field' but Paul Maxwell was simply superb after a quiet first half. 'Maxi' spurred the team on in the second half and scored the all important equaliser and it was fitting to see the big centre forward score the winning penalty to send Ashfield through to the Semi-Final.

Attendance:- 150

Photographs by:- Inga