East Kilbride Thistle 0 Ashfield F & A C 2, The Show Park, East Kilbride - Kick-Off 6.30pm

A semi-Final spot was up for grabs this evening as Ashfield travelled to East Kilbride for a vital encounter. The rain was pelting down as the teams ran on to Show Park with the spectators huddled together braving the elements. Both sides had won their respective Sections with the winner facing Arthurlie at home.

Ashfield started the better side with Ryan Cairley linking up well with Maxwell after three minutes only to see the big Strikers volley saved well by the keeper.

Ashfield knew that EK would be a formidable opponent and the home side showed this when they almost scored the opening goal after thirteen minutes. A lovely pass was played through the Ashfield defence to their striker who slipped the ball past the onrushing McGovern in the Ashfield goal, but, Jamie Coll was the saviour for Ashfield as he sprinted and cleared the ball to safety on the goalline.

It was a very even match with some great duals in the midfield area with Cairley and Fraser in the thick of the action for the 'Field'. Ashfield created the next chance after twenty minutes. Passmore played the ball to Cairley who flicked a neat pass to Tony Chalmers. Chalmers cut in on his left foot and smashed a shot that went just wide of the post.

Almost immediately after this Craig Smith thumped in a volley from eighteen yards that went inches over the crossbar. There were now chances galore and mostly for the visiting team. Shaun Fraser went close after twenty five minutes after he intercepted a slack pass but saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.

EK were still looking lively though and McGovern had to block well after twenty seven minutes getting down to block a shot that zipped off the greasy surface.

Paul Maxwell was having an excellent match for Ashfield and he was sent clear on the left side after thirty minutes. He whipped a tantalising cross to the six yard box where Craig Smith was lurking but the EK defender slid the ball to safety to save a certain goal.

Half time was beckoning but still the chances were coming for both sides. The EK left back tried his luck from fully forty yards which skidded off the surface but McGovern blocked well. Ashfield then went straight up the park with Ali Martin trying a right foot volley which again was saved.

HALF TIME: EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE 0 ASHFIELD 0

The pie stand was doing a roaring trade with both sets of supporters trying to get some respite from the torrential rain that was falling. It was actually raining harder as the second half got under way with the semi-final spot still there for both teams.

Challenges were starting to reign in especially in the midfield area with Referee, Dallas, having to show his yellow card on several occasions but also using his common sense in what was now becoming horrendous conditions for the players.

The deadlock was eventually broken and it was the Possil team that grabbed it after sixty minutes. A free kick was awarded midway inside the EK half. Mark Thomson curled in a perfect free kick which was met by Paul Maxwell who back headered the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards. EK THISTLE 0 ASHFIELD 1.



East Kilbride came storming back after this setback and should have equalised after sixty five minutes. A cross from the right was met by an unchallenged header which McGovern watched slip narrowly past his post.

Ashfield had taken a boost of confidence from the opening goal and were stroking the ball about even considering the conditions. Paul Mangan at left back was linking up well with Ali Martin with Fraser and Thomson battling for every ball in Midfield.

The next goal was going to be vital and it arrived with eight minutes to go. Paul Maxwell forced the EK defender to play the ball back to his keeper with Craig Smith in pursuit. The Keeper then smashed the ball against the onrushing Smith which fell to 'Maxi' who stroked the ball first time over the keepers head and into the net to the delight of the drenched Ashfield contingent. EK THISTLE 0 ASHFIELD 2.



This goal sealed the game for the visitors and it could have been more with Ali Martin firing a 'rocket' of a shot which was well saved before Maxwell glancing a header wide from six yards in injury time.

The referee looked at his watch and blew his whistle to send Ashfield into the last four for the second season running.

FULL TIME: EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE 0 ASHFIELD 2

Man of the Match:- The whole Ashfield team was outstanding this evening with Shaun Fraser running the midfield area and Jamie Coll and Paul Mangan outstanding at the back, but Paul Maxwell was a real handfull in the Ashfield forward line and his two goals were expertly taken.

Attendance:- Approx 80

Photographs by:- Inga