Knockentiber goalkeeper is the hero in Ayrshire Amateur Cup

May 29 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

THE stage was set for an exciting climax to this year’s Ayrshire Amateur Cup with an all-Kilmarnock final.

Knockentiber started the stronger and had Hurlford Thistle under pressure and deservedly took the lead when a free kick missed everyone and hit the back post, came back along the line and Paul Ottoway prodded the ball home.

Tiber were on the front foot now and went looking for a second, but resolute defending by the Hurlford rearguard kept the score at 1-0 at half time.

The second-half saw Thistle take the game to Knockentiber and they were rewarded on 55 minutes when Paul Gilroy looped a ball over Jim Catterson and the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Within minutes, Tiber’s Stuart Wilson was sent off for a second caution, and Hurlford took the lead on 63 minutes when Hunter crossed the ball towards the Tiber goal from an acute angle and to everyone’s amazement the ball ended up in the net.

Hurlford’s lead only lasted six minutes when a free kick fired in low and hard by Andy Gilgannon was helped into the net by Mark Fulton, who claimed the goal for Tiber.

Hurlford went looking to regain the lead and had the bulk of the pressure, but could not turn it into goals.

In the last minute Thistle had a chance to lift the trophy when a powerful run and cross from Mason was met by the head of Dayer, but his powerful header went the wrong side of the post and the regulation 90 minutes ended all square.

Hurlford started the first period of extra time on top and looked the more likely to score, with Tiber tiring due to being down to 10 men but, to their credit, they managed to keep the Thistle men at bay.

The final 15 minutes saw Knockentiber on the back foot and looking like they would take their chances in a penalty shoot out.

Hurlford kept coming forward looking to get a result in the 120 minutes, but it was not to be, so the lottery of a penalty shoot-out was needed to decide who lifted this year’s trophy.

In the nail-biting shootout, Tiber’s keeper Catterson became the hero, saving three of Hurlford’s spot kicks to ensure Knockentiber retained the trophy.