King Cup Quarter Final, Tuesday 3rd May 2005

Easthouses Lily 2 Whitehill Welfare 1

Welfare went to Easthouses with several first team regulars missing. Ryan McGurk wasn’t risked ahead of the Qualifying Final and veteran Eck Stewart was brought in. Also missing were Colin McDonald, Ross Johnston and Richie Johnstone. During the course of the match Jamie Birrell, Andy Hogg and Kenny Young were withdrawn to rest them ahead of the big match. Conditions were less than ideal with driving rain ensuring a slippery surface.

It took fully ten minutes for the first chance to arrive when Faichney headed weakly straight at Weir. On fifteen minutes Beattie put a shot over the bar after he’d dispossessed Hogg in the midfield. ‘Houses were pushing hard for the opener and after 21 minutes a cross from Beattie was headed just over by King. It was a sign of things to come when a couple of minutes later a cross into the six yard box saw the ball come back off the cross bar and with the Welfare defence posted missing, Beattie headed into the unguarded goal to gave the home side the lead.

Welfare immediately went on the offensive and forced a free kick out wide on the left when Birrell was sent sprawling. Young took the free kick, a dangerous curler into the box, but Hunter, who was nearest was unable to connect. A foul on Whyte saw a Hogg lay off from the free kick and Young’s shot was hit powerfully but straight at the keeper. Further long distance shots from Hunter and Young went high and wide.

A darting run down the left by Birrell saw a teasing cross sent into the six yard box but Curran was just beaten to the ball at the expense of a corner. Welfare were now on top and next up was Lee with a shot from distance which didn’t trouble Weir. As the half drew to a close, Beattie had an effort from 18 yards deflected wide for a corner.

Five minutes into the second half, another run from Birrell down the left saw a good cross into the box but Weir read the flight of the ball and got there ahead of Curran and Hogg. Then after 55 minutes, Easthouses increased their lead with a breakaway goal. A fine run down the right from Beattie saw his cross bulleted towards goal by Borthwick. Stand-in keeper Stewart made a fine point blank stop but the ball sat up nicely again for Borthwick and this time he headed into the net.

John Clark reshuffled his side with Hogg, Birrell and Young making way for Jamieson, Shanks and Finlay. The former went up front with Finlay and Shanks in midfield and Darren Whyte dropping back. Welfare upped the tempo and Curran was unlucky to strike the post. Welfare kept the momentum going and were rewarded when a Lee cross from the left found it’s way to Finlay and his looping header found the net via the post. Easthouses responded with a Beattie shot well saved by Stewart.

Welfare threw caution to the wind with nothing to lose in the final ten minutes and Jamieson was making a difference up front with good promptings to those around him and some neat one-twos to open up the home side. McQueenie was then introduced by the home side to curb Jamieson’s influence. Hunter saw a shot deflected wide and Shanks almost scored through a forest of legs but Weir got down well to save.

Finlay was booked for a challenge on the keeper as he slid in feet first for a loose ball and McQueenie followed for the home side a few minutes later for a tough challenge on Jamieson. All credit though to Easthouses who held out to win with a determined performance and they’ll prove a handful to quite a few sides in next season’s Premier League if they carry the same sort of desire into season 2005-06.

Whitehill: Stewart, Baigrie, Martin, Hunter, Faichney, Lee, Young, Birrell, Curran, Hogg, Whyte. Subs: Jamieson, Shanks, Finlay.

Easthouses: Weir, McGlashan, Hamilton, Dorans, Edgar, Sives, King, Borthwick, Beattie, Neilson, Ferry. Subs: Love, Stewart, Waddell, McQueenie,
Above: Baigrie is barged as he attempts to get the ball upfield.