Scottish Cup 1st Round, Saturday 29th September 2007

Lossiemouth 1 Whitehill Welfare 3

Whitehill Welfare had a ‘good day at the office’ in Lossiemouth in securing their place in the hat for the second round of the Scottish Cup. This clash saw the top of the table East of Scotland side and the bottom of the table Highland League side in what appeared to be a one sided match on paper. What we witnessed was a rip roaring cup tie.

Lossie were the first to threaten with Wilson trying his luck from 35 yards, his effort dipping just over the crossbar and landing on the roof of the net.

It was Whitehill who took the lead with a superb counter-attack in the 18^th minute.  Our defence won the ball and quickly spread the play wide. A tremendous through-ball was slipped in to Gary Calvey who smashed his shot across McConnachie into the top corner of the net from 12 yards out.

Lossiemouth should have pulled level right on half time when a McMullen ball over the top saw Blackhall outstrip Alan Cornett only to drag his shot just past the post from an almost identical position to Calvey's goal.

The second half was just two minutes old when Lossiemouth were caught out by a corner laid back to the edge of the box from where a weak shot fell perfectly to Gary Calvey and he turned it into the net from 6 yards.

The Grant Park side treied to up their game but were suckered again when Welfare scored a clinical third to effectively finish the game as a contest.  A fine move down the left saw Kevin Lee and Alan McDonagh working the space to provide a low cross which was met by Andy Doig at the back post. IT was a goal which underlined Welfare’s threat at the classic counter-punch approach.

The home side refused to give up though and continued to do well in open play. Welfare then missed a chance to make it 4-0 from the penalty spot.  Gormlet was adjudged to have been fouled and the striker stepped up and shot to the keeper's left only to see McConnachie pull off a fine save.

Lossiemouth scored what proved to be a consolation goal in the 71^st minute when Stuart broke from the back and played the ball into Morrison.  He cut it back to Wood who hit a first time shot  into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot.

Morrison then hit the woodwork for Lossiemouth with a fine effort which was touched onto the post by McGurk , while at the other end McConnachie also touched a goal-bound shot onto the post and watched another effort hit the bar as Whitehill looked to completely finish the game on the counter attack. A grand result then for Welfare in what proved to be an exciting cup tie played on a gloriously sunny late September afternoon!

Whitehill Welfare: McGurk, Cornett, Lee, Johnston, Woodburn, McDonagh, Pryde, Kidd, Gormley, Doig, Calvey.
Subs: Pusledzki, Russell, Christie, Swanson, Wilkes.

Above: Gary Calvey, smashes home welfare's opener against Lossiemouth.

Above: Gormley (9) and Calvey on the prowl up front.