|
Annan
Athletic won through to the quarter final of the
East League Cup with a single
goal win over Welfare. Annan
looked the hungrier side in the
opening quarter and forced
a series of corners
to keep Welfare defensively
occupied. Whitehill
were constantly forced to
defend deep in their own half as Annan
tested them down both wings
through McMenamin and Ferrie.
Whitehill’s first real
attack in the 25th minute required a timely tackle
by Milligan on Baigrie to
deny a good scoring chance. Minutes later
a powerful surge forward
by Annan saw Allen set up Tucker but
his effort was deflected for a corner kick.
As the match approached the half hour mark, Whitehill
appeared to have weathered the storm and it took a
good save by Derek Gall to deny Colin McDonald a
goal. Hogg then set Baigrie up for a shot
but he hit it straight at the
keeper. Chances were now coming Welfare's way and
Jamieson was unlucky to send a stinging shot go just
over when given a free effort from the edge of the
box from a Baigrie corner. Not long after McDonald
shot just wide from a 25-yard direct free-kick and
in another Welfare attack, Hogg blazed a shot high
over the bar.
Having held out against a tide of Welfare attacks,
Annan
went on the offensive as the
interval approached and Prince had a
well-struck shot
saved by McGurk. Then
came the
breakthrough for Annan five
minutes from the interval. McMenamin
showed fine close control on the left
wing and swung in a
pinpoint left-foot
cross to Ferrie
who headed the ball into
the corner of the net, despite
McGurk getting contact on the effort.
The second half saw Welfare press
deeper into Annan's territory but they constantly
found a resolute defence.
Annan kept creating chances and Allen headed
over from a Ferrie corner
kick in the 50th minute and then
Tucker set himself up well
only to shoot straight at McGurk.
Whitehill gaffer John Clark
brought on Brian Martin for Ryan Curran in
the 55th minute to add an aerial
threat to Welfare's attack.
However, it was Annan who
threatened next when a Hannay cross
into the six-yard box was missed
by everyone before going out harmlessly. Welfare
then introduced Mitch Faichney (sporting his 'nae-hair
new-look') in place of Murray Hunter.
Welfare managed periods of
prolonged possession but still found the Annan
defence difficult to penetrate. Colin McDonald
managed several lone forays up field with the ball
but these came to nothing with no support following
him into the right areas. Ryan McGurk showed why he
is in the East of Scotland Select side with good
saves from Ferrie and Tucker in quick succession.
With time running out Welfare
made a determined push and were denied when
when a Baigrie corner to the back post was headed wide by
Brian Martin. As the game entered the
final five minutes Andy Hogg tested Derek Gall
with crisp first time snap-shot
and
then Cranston and Ferrie
combined to cause panic in the Whitehill defence.
With a last throw of the dice
Welfare forced two corners, the second of which saw
Johnston head towards Hogg who was ready to nod home
only for An Annan head to clear to safety in what
proved to be the final action in the game. A tough
contest all-round with the home side just edging
this contest and crucially turning a good chance
into what proved to be the only goal.
Welfare are now left to focus on improving upon last
season's lowest-ever League finish and still have
the King Cup to look forward to and of course the
Qualifying Final on 7th May.
Annan Athletic:
Gall, Hannay, MacBeth, Milligan, Allen, Cranston, Ferrie, Cumersky, Tucker, Prince, McMenamin .
Subs: Moffat,
Johnstone, Smith, Nichol, Cochrane.
Whitehill Welfare : McGurk, Baigrie,
Lee, Johnston, Jamieson, Hunter, Curran, Shanks,
McDonald, Hogg, Whyte.
Subs: Martin, Faichney,
Finlay.
Above:
The nearest
Welfare came to scoring in their match with Annan.
Colin McDonald gets in a good shot despite the
attentions of MacBeth, only for Gall to make a
fine stop.
Above:
Ryan McGurk makes almost a carbon copy save of his
opposite number Gall in a second-half Annan raid.
Above: Welfare's last chance to save the game.
Johnston heads towards Hogg,
but an Annan defender beats him to the ball and
following the resultant clearance, the ref blew for time up to
end our League Cup hopes.
|
