Ashfield F & A C 0 Shotts Bon Accord 4, Saracen Park, Glasgow. Kick-Off 6.30pm

Shotts Bon Accord were the visitors tonight in the Semi-Final of the Sectional League Cup at Saracen Park. Both sides had defeated top quality opposition in the Quarters, Ashfield defeating Glencairn with Shotts beating Petershill so it looked that this match would be a real 'cracker'.

Ashfield`s biggest crowd of the season was in attendance as the teams appeared from the tunnel sporting their traditional home kits. Shotts started the brightest, imposing their strength on the match and it was the Lanarkshire outfit who opened the scoring with the first real chance of the match after 15mins. Sean Carberry cleared a long throw from the Shotts player but it only fell to the Shotts left back who delivered a long cross into the Ashfield box which drifted over the heads of the Ashfield defence only to be met by an unmarked Carr who bulleted his header low to McGovern's right hand side and into the net. Ashfield 0 Shotts Bon Accord 1. A very soft goal to lose from an Ashfield point of view and this gave Shotts tremendous confidence.

Ashfield tried to get back into the match after this early set-back with Alistair Martin tormenting the Shotts right back and delivering some excellent crosses into the Shotts area. Unfortunately the forward line could not capitalise on these crosses with the Shotts centre-half clearing any danger. Ashfield were now starting to press for the equaliser and almost grabbed it after 30mins. Ashfield were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal and Alistair Martin stepped up and clipped the ball perfectly over the wall but it scraped the post with the goalkeeper scrambling to make up the distance.

Ashfield`s Centre Forward, Paul Maxwell then suffered a bad injury when challenging for an aerial ball. The Big Man landed awkwardly and the crowd knew straight away that it was nasty injury. As he was carried off the park it appeared that his ankle might have been broken, but thankfully it has been confirmed as a severe sprain and 'big maxi' will be back in a few weeks.

Shotts continued to be lively upfront and were causing the Ashfield defence trouble with every attack. As Half-Time approached Shotts delivered a real blow when they went further ahead. A corner was awarded which was whipped in to the near-post area and met full on by Gardiner in the Shotts attack and the `field were left with a `mountain to climb`. Ashfield 0 Shotts Bon Accord 2. A real 'body blow' to Ashfield as the referee blew shortly for half time.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 0 SHOTTS 2

The teams emerged for the second half with the home faithful looking for a fight-back but this was immediately shattered when Shotts scored five minutes into the second half. Nice wing play from the Shotts player resulted in him firing in a cross to the Ashfield box. The ball was half cleared and an onrushing Goodwin smashed the ball on the volley from 20 yards which took a slight deflection to wrong foot McGovern in the Ashfield goal and into the corner of the net to the delight of the large travelling support. Ashfield 0 Shotts Bon Accord 3.

Most teams would have lost heart after this 'sucker punch' goal but to their great credit Ashfield battled hard and started to threaten the Shotts defence. Craig Smith was starting to use his electric pace and only a brilliant save from the Shotts keeper denied the opening goal for 'the field'. Ashfield continued to press with Craig Smith in the thick of the action but again was thwarted by the Shotts keeper as he fired a shot across the goal only to see a hand push it away to safety.

Shotts were dangerous on the break as play flowed from end-to-end with McGovern saving high to his left after good set up play from Shotts. Ashfield should have got back into the match when a long throw was delivered into the Shotts box. The ball fell to the feet of Ashfield's Ian Murphy but his volley from 4 yards out was superbly saved by the Shotts stopper. The Shotts defenders were having a very good night blocking every shot that was been sent towards their goal area.

Time was now against Ashfield and it was the away team who scored again in the 80th minute to seal their Cup Final place against Arthurlie. An excellent corner was delivered to the far post which was headed down and Gardiner lashed the ball into the roof of the net before any defender could react for his second goal of the night. Ashfield 0 Shotts Bon Accord 4.

This was Ashfield`s heaviest defeat for many seasons and the first home defeat since 5th January 2008 v Lanark Utd. It continued our poor record against the team from Lanarkshire. We never gave up and on another night we may have taken a couple of chances that might have changed the course of the game. Shotts were worthy winners and it should be a cracking final against Arthurlie, however Ashfield should be proud of their efforts in the early part of the season.

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 0 SHOTTS 4

Man of the Match:- Alistair Martin. He weaved in and out the Shotts defence most of the match delivering some excellent crosses and was very unlucky not to score with his free-kick effort in the first half.

Attendance:- 300

Photographs by:- Inga




Video Action from the Match. Many Thanks again to the Pollok Video person that took this tonight, Much appreciated.