Caledonian Braves take lead with stunner but bow out of Scottish Cup at Edinburgh City
Lowland League Caledonian Braves looked on course for a shock Scottish Cup first round success at League Two Edinburgh City on Saturday.
Ross McNeil put the Motherwell side 1-0 up early on in incredible fashion, taking a touch 25 yards from goal before lashing the ball into the top corner for his ninth goal of the season.
But that lead was only to last 13 minutes as City restored parity when Hibs loanee Josh Campbell – a constant menace – produced a fine run and cross on the left and the ball struck Braves defender Alan Reid before going past visiting keeper Yohann Chardon and into the net.
Scott Forrester and Blair Docherty then missed chances for Braves as it remained 1-1 at half-time.
The second half was to prove a much tougher test for the away team as they played back into a strong wind.
The second period was literally just seconds old when left-back Robbie McIntyre turned the ball in following a cross from the right.
That preceded an Edinburgh onslaught which saw McIntyre just miss with two more efforts and team-mate Raffa De Vita send two attempts just off target.
In between those chances, Chardon made a great stop from an Ouzy See header.
But there was then potential disaster for the French stopper as he brought down See for the concession of a penalty, but he then redeemed himself by saving the resultant spot kick.
However, that reprieve was only temporary as City did net their third of the afternoon when a breakaway set up Campbell to roll in the clinching strike.
Chardon made a great late save from Liam Henderson and it finished 3-1 for Edinburgh.
Braves, 12th in the Lowland League with 13 points from 13 games, return to league duties this Friday with a trip to BSC Glasgow before a home game against Edinburgh’s Spartans next Tuesday, January 5.