Hurlford United 1 Ashfield F & A C 1 , Blair Park, Hurlford. Kick-Off 1.45pm



Minus 1 was the temperature driving down to Hurlford this afternoon for the Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round Match but it was well worth it as both teams produced a great Junior Cup encounter.

Hurlford appeared in an all red outfit with the 'field' producing their traditional strip of black and white hoops with hooped socks. The crowd poured into the stadium as the eagerly awaited match started, with Ashfield fans even wearing black and white Santa Hats to spur the team on. Hurlford were the bookies favourite going into this match but it was Ashfield that made the brighter start, playing passing football on a heavy pitch. After some intense pressure Ashfield almost went ahead after thirteen minutes when Craig Smith slipped past his marker to release Chalmers who whipped in a near post cross only to see Darren O'Donnell's flick well saved by the Hurlford Goalkeeper.

Hurlford came back immediately after this chance and McGovern in the Ashfield goal saved well from 15 yards, but it was Ashfield who were in command at this stage and should have opened the scoring after twenty three minutes when Smith slid past a defender and dinked the ball to O'Donnell, however from 6 yards out the Ashfield forward scuffed his shot wide of the post.

Ashfield remained on top and were very unlucky not to score 2 minutes later when Ali Martin played in a lovely ball to O'Donnell who headed down to Craig Smith clear on goal but his left foot strike was palmed across the goalline and cleared to safety. Ashfield were playing some super football but not taking their chances however Hurlford started to make an impact in the game and were beginning to penetrate the Ashfield goal playing high balls into the area. Against the run of play Hurlford broke the deadlock after 31 minutes from a free kick. A lovely floated ball was played to the back post and was met by the Hurlford forward who neatly flicked the ball across goal. His team mate headed towards goal but the effort was palmed down by McGovern in the Ashfield goal and fell to the onrushing Hurlford No 8 who stabbed the ball into the empty net. Hurlford Utd 1 Ashfield 0.

Although this was a severe blow to the 'field' after all the effort they had put into the match, the black and white hoops came back strongly and O'Donnell was denied by another save from the Hurlford Stopper after a free kick from Ali Martin.

Both teams were battling hard and the impressive Referee blew the whistle to end a brilliant first half. The Hurlford defence were excellent and had thwarted numerous chances for the 'field' with their No 4, the pick of the Team.

HALF TIME: HURLFORD UTD 1 ASHFIELD 0

Temperatures were dipping as the teams ran out for the second half and it was the home team that started the brighter with a shot fired just over the bar after forty seven minutes. It was a real cup tie now with challenges raining in with the Referee using common sense to combat any volatile situations. Ashfield almost equalised after fifty five minutes when the superb Cairley floated a ball over the top of the Hurlford defence only to see the home keeper race out to deny Darren O'Donnell.

As the match ebbed and flowed, the home team almost increased their lead on the hour mark when a free kick was awarded 25 yards out from the Ashfield goal. The Hurlford player stepped up and clipped the ball towards the top corner but McGovern was alert and saved well.

McGovern in the Ashfield goal had to be alert after sixty eight minutes when a cross come shot was tipped over the bar. Mark Thomson, Alan 'Spider' Smith and Ryan Cairley were now playing some excellent football, especially Thomson who was winning the aerial challenge and spraying long balls to Chalmers who was electric all afternoon.

Ashfield then started to up the 'ante' and pressed forward at every opportunity and chances were now evident. Smith headed wide after seventy two minutes after great wing play from Chalmers and a minute later the speedy forward 'smacked' the top of the bar with a blistering twenty five yard effort.

As the match entered the final few minutes, Ashfield pressed forward in desperation looking for the equaliser and it came with only three minutes left on the clock. Cairley picked the ball up in the middle of the park and whipped a ball to Chalmers who took a touch before striking a fabulous low cross into the Hurlford box. The Hurlford defender looked to have it under control but the ball squirmed underneath him and fell to Craig Smith at the back post who stroked the ball into the net from three yards out that sent the supporters, players and bench wild with delight. Hurlford Utd 1 Ashfield 1.

Ashfield continued to press forward and Ali Martin almost secured a victory in injury time but his volley sliced wide of the Hurlford goal. The referee blew again for full time and it's all to do again next Saturday but this time at `Fortress Saracen` Park.


FULL TIME: HURLFORD UTD 1 ASHFIELD 1

Man of the Match:- A fabulous battling perfomance from Ashfield to gain a reply with Jamie Reilly outstanding at the back complimented by Alan `Spider` Smith, Ryan Cairley, Craig Smith and Tony Chalmers but Mark Thomson edged it this afternoon battling hard against an aggressive opposition and 'pinging' telling passes all afternoon, Well done 'Thomo'!!

Attendance:- Approx. 220

Photographs by:- Inga, more pics from this game can be seen on my Gallery page, please click the link: Hurlford Utd v Ashfield Gallery Pics