Rob Roy into third round of the cup after nail-biter

Rob Roy .............................3

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup 1st Round

ROB Roy went behind twice before edging to a 3-2 victory in a thrilling West of Scotland Cup tie.

It was Thorniewood who made the early initiative with Bennett firing across the face of goal then shooting wide a minute later, before Rabs keeper Robertson did well to save a low Mullen effort.

The home side took a deserved lead in the 21st minute when Bennett ran through the Rabs defence before placing the ball past Robertson.

Play raged from end to end with Connolly saving from Diack then Hunter.

At the other end Robertson brilliantly tipped over a Bradshaw drive before Bennett’s cross flashed across the Rabs penalty area and out of play.

A minute before the break Rabs snatched the equaliser when from a Diack head flick Hunter ran through on goal to slot the ball past the advancing Connolly.

First chance of the second half fell to the visitors with Smith’s header smothered at the post by Connolly.

The home side took the lead for the second time in the 53rd minute, following a flowing move down the right wing the ball was crossed into the Rabs goalmouth for Livingstone to net from close range. The lead however lasted only two minutes when Bradley’s shot was on target, with Connolly woefully late to react the ball nestled into the corner of the net.

The entertainment continued with Easton coming close for Rabs then keeper Robertson keeping his side in the game by pushing a Mullen shot around the post as the nippy little striker ran through on goal.

Thorniewood had strong claims for a penalty kick turned down when Mullen went down in the box.

But to the home support’s disgust referee Reid waved play on.

On a heavy pitch Rabs superior fitness began to tell and after a period of pressure they took the lead with 14 minutes remaining when Diack broke down the right wing before sending over an inch perfect cross for Meechan to head past Connolly.

Thorniewood were reduced to ten men in the 79th minute when Livingstone was shown a straight red card for a dangerous lunge on Bradley.

Rob Roy came close to adding to their tally with Bradley, Lindsay and Diack coming close.

Rabs keeper Robertson who had a splendid game throughout, saved his side from a penalty shoot-out when he made a brilliant save from a Duffy free-kick in the second last minute.

Rob Roy: Robertson, McLachlan, McVey, Smith, Lindsay, Miller (Henderson57), Meechan, Diack, McAleenan (Hunter21), Bradley, Easton. (C Connolly 73).

Subs not used: Frye and Brown.

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