Junior Football: Hurlford United through on penalties to West Cup second round

Oct 12 2012 by Lizzie Smith, Kilmarnock Standard

A nail-biting 6-5 win over Yoker on penalties saw Ford through to the West Cup second round on Saturday. The sides were 2-2 at full-time.

The strike duo Michael Reilly and Jamie Allison started for Ford with Callum Watt back from suspension.

Ford came close from kick-off, a tackle stopped Nimmo in the box but the ball broke to Paul Cameron who hit the bar with keeper beaten.

Yoker caught Ford out on six minutes as their striker beat keeper David Markey to a long ball and slotted home.

Markey then had to make a number of saves but at the other end, Ford’s Reilly and Allison were linking up well to cause Yoker problems.

On 26 minutes, Ford should have equalised, a Nimmo cross saw Reilly rise, chest the ball and shoot for the Yoker keeper to save with his foot.

Ford levelled on 34 minutes, Reilly was fouled 25 yards from goal and Craig scored with a well-executed free kick.

Ten minutes later, Ford took the lead. A Watt header was knocked off the line, falling to Nimmo on the left who cut inside and chipped the keeper.

Yoker scored an almost identical goal to their first, this time Markey made the challenge, was injured and replaced by Stevie O’Neill who has come back into the squad after time out due to work commitments.

With no further scoring, the game went to penalties. Ford’s Eeles, Wallace, Spence, Wilson, Craig and Allison all converted with O’Neill throwing himself to the left to save Yoker’s sixth penalty.

Ford: Markey, Sullivan, Fulton, Wallace , Spence, Craig, Cameron, Watt, Nimmo, Allison, Reilly. Subs: O Neil , Doolan, Wilson, Eeles, Paterson.

A bus for Saturday’s game against Whitletts leaves Blair Park at 12.15pm. Priced £6 or £5 for concessions. No booking needed.

Hospitality for Ford’s Scottish Cup tie against Rutherglen Glencairn on Saturday, October 20, is £30 per person inclusive of admission, pre-match refreshments, three-course meal, half-time buffet and meet the manager. Call Lorrie on 07748 884377.