Saturday 9th April 2005 @ Hannah Park, Shotts
Shotts Bon Accord 1-1 Greenock Juniors
(3-2 on pens)
West of Scotland Cup 1/4 Final
Meechan saves the second of Shotts penalties from Crawford
Greenock travelled through to Shotts to meet Bon Accord in this 1/4 final of the West of Scotland cup. Greenock went into this as second favourites against there opponents who are currently riding high in the Super Premier First division. Greenock had were down to a pool of 14 when Defenders Ross McMillan and Chris McAllister both called off with chicken pox and a knee injury. Greenock shuffled the pack with Martin Power and Scott Foreman both dropping back into defence with Ole Gilberg making his debut in the centre of the midfield. In blustery conditions and with Greenock shooting against the wind the found themselves under a bit of pressure but the back 4 looked comfortable for most of this encounter. Shotts had the best opportuntity of the first half when Boyack found space at the edge of the box but Scott Foreman done enough to knock him off his stride and the effort sailed over the bar. Greenocks best effort of the first half came when John Paul Dow worked a neat one two with Mark Bowie but his powerful left foot effort went high.
Half-time 0 - 0
MeeThe second half saw the game open up a bit after a dour first period and it was the home side who got the break through 15 minutes in. Shotts were awarded a free kick in the centre circle and caught Greenock on the back foot when the took it quickly. The ball was floated to the back post where it found the little left winger Wallace who had looked the most likely all afternoon for the home side. He controlled the ball before dispatching past Meechan at his near post. After this Greenock came more into the game with Graham Black and Andy Monaghan starting to open their legs to test the home defence. Mark Bowie had a header on target from a Meechan clearance but it never really tested the home keeper. Shotts should have doubled there lead with 15 minutes remaining the the little left winger once again broke clear. He opted to try and chip Meechan but the keeper stood up to it, to catch comfortably. The equaliser came directly from this as Meechan played the ball deep into Shotts territory. Mark Bowie's header found Andy Monaghan on the left. He cut inside and skipped past a few defenders at the edge of the box before laying it off to Graham Black. Black cut inside his marker before dispatching his effort low into the keepers bottom right hand corner with his left foot. Greenock almost took the lead shortly after when Johnny Robertson had dig from all of 30 yards that took a wicked deflection and just cleared the Shotts bar with the keeper Scrambling. With moments remaining Shotts had the ball in the net but the referee had already blown for a challenge on Mcilvogue. After a very even game the match was to be decided by the dreaded penalty Shoot out.
PENALTIES
Shotts pen 1: The first penalty was saved by Meechan down low to his left from Booth
Greenock Pen 1: Martin Power was first up but his effort was well saved by Banks low down to his right
Shotts pen 2: Meechan once again saved this time high to his right hand side from Crawfords kick
Greenock Pen 2: Gordon Lappin was next up for Greenock and he calmly placed his pen to the keepers right with the keeper going the other way
Shotts pen 3: This time there was no mistake as the ball was buried low to Meechan's left by Keddie
Greenock Pen 3: Banks was once again the hero when he saved John Robertson Penalty low down to his right
Shotts pen 4: Shotts took the lead in the Shoot out for the first time when the pen was buried to the right side of Meechan by Kirkwood
Greenock Pen 4: Andy Monaghan levelled things up by sending the keeper the wrong way placing low to his bottom right
Shotts pen 5: Shotts put the pressure back on Greenock when the pen was calmly placed in Meechan bottom left by Brown