ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup Fifth Round

HERMES 0

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 2

LADESIDE progressed to the last eight of the Scottish Junior Cup with a two nil victory after a long trip to face the North Region champions

Kilbirnie dominated most of the match and it took only five minutes for them to create their first chance. A Darren Miller free-kick found its way to Caolan McAleer and his cross into the box should have been buried by David Anderson but he failed to make proper contact and the ball went well wide.

In 13 minutes the visitors broke upfield but new signing Martin Grehan failed to convert the chance from a tight angle.

A few minutes later Kilbirnie went ahead. McAleer slipped the ball through the Hermes defence for the on-rushing Miller wo calmly slotted home.

Miller had another great chance in 23 minutes after Ladeside sliced open the Hermes defence again. McAleer threaded the ball through for Miller, but this time Sweeney denied him with a fine save. Hermes broke upfield for one of their few efforts on goal as the ball found its way to Wilson on the left side of the box he squared it into the path of Alexander who fired in a 16-yard shot which produced a fantastic one-handed save from Kieran Hughes.

Kilbirnie had the last chance of the first half when Miller fired a free-kick just wide.

Hermes started brightly after the break and McKenzie fired well wide from distance.

Ladeside started pressing again and Stephen McKeown took a short free kick to Miller who swung the ball in towards goal but it drifted just wide.

Miller had his shot blocked from the edge of the box after being set up by Forde. In 61 minutes Macklin linked up with Wilson inside the Ladeside box before firing his effort into the side net. A few minutes later Kilbirnie should have increased their lead when a ball over the top of the Hermes defence found Grehan who foundAdam Forde but he pulled his shot wide from 12 yards

Ladeside doubled their lead in 75 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after a quick throw-in found Grehan and he found Forde who was brought down inside the box. Miller notched his second goal of the game as he fired the spot kick into the bottom corner.

Substitute Kevin Turner should have wrapped it up in the final minute but his shot from 10 yards was blocked.

It was a thoroughly professional display from a Ladeside team, who had prepared well for the tie.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: Hughes; Haxton, McKeown, Staunton, O’Byrne, Anderson, Miller, Rafferty, Forde, Grehan, McAleer. Subs: Turner., Meechan, Gold, Bennett, Brannan.

HERMES: Sweeney; Strachan, Smith, Brown, Campbell, McRae, Macklin, McKenzie, D.Wilson, Dawson, Alexander Subs: K Wilson, Stevenson, Cruickshank, Nash, M.Smith.