Sean’s saves send Darvel Vics to semis

May 22 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

DARVEL got off to the worst possible start in this quarter final when a defensive mix-up provided a Clark Drive striker with an open goal, which he accepted and slotted home.

Darvel bounced back though after 30 minutes when Scott McCreadie took a quick free kick to his brother Iain at the edge of the Vics box.

Iain picked up the ball, wound his way past several Drive players and through to the Clark Drive box where he coolly slotted home past the out-rushing keeper.

Sean Scobie then had the opportunity to give Darvel the lead when he rushed on to Billy Arthur's through ball but his shot went straight at the keeper.

In the second half, Drive had the next decent effort from a free kick, but Vics' keeper Sean Trainer pulled off a wonderful diving save.

Darvel had the ball in the net with ten minutes to go but the referee chalked off Dean Barrie's great curling shot for offside.

Neither team could steal a clinching winner in regulation time, and the game went into extra time.

Grant Hunter really should have scored for Darvel with ten minutes of extra time left but he hit the side netting from close range.

Clark Drive almost got a fortuitous winner in the last minute of play when Gareth Stewart blocked a Drive cross; his blocked header sailed goalwards, but luckily Sean Trainer was on hand to pull off an instinctive save.

The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate, which meant it would be decided on penalties. Alan Young stepped up first for Darvel but his penalty came back out off the post.

Sean Trainer then pulled off a save from Drive's first penalty. Gareth Stewart, Scott Hamilton, Chris McColl and Dean Barrie all calmly converted theirs as did their Clark Drive counterparts.

Next up was Scott McCreadie who tucked his away and then Sean Trainer again saved, becoming the hero of the tie and sending the Vics into the semi final.