Lossiemouth FC
Match Reports - 02nd April 2005 - Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth
Scot-Ads Highland League
Report by Gavin Dearie courtesy of www.highlandleague.net - click here for the match photos
Clachnacuddin 3 Lossiemouth 1
Cup holders Clach booked their place in the second round with a 3-1 win over Lossiemouth at Grant Park to set up an intriguing match against Buckie Thistle in seven days time. It was the home side who took the lead inside three minutes after some slick passing created an opportunity for Andrew Neil. Mike Sanderson held the ball up the ball long enough for Andrew Neil who on the overlap took the ball in his stride, before unleashing an unstoppable drive in to the bottom left hand corner past a helpless Steve Dunn from ten yards.
Lossie almost hit back instantly after a Steven Ellis corner from the left hand side was met by Steve MacDonald. The defender lost concentration but was relieved to see Andrew Lewis come to his rescue as he headed Steve MacDonald's sliced clearance off the line.
It was a typical cup game with the match swinging from one end to the other. Clach should have made it 2-0 when Gary Ross sprung the offside trap and from the edge of the area lobbed the ball over Stevie Dunn, however his effort came crashing back off the crossbar.
On the quarter hour Mike Sanderson turned David Hendry inside out to create the space for a vicious shot the flew past the edge of the Lossiemouth goal from 12 yards out. The former Elgin City winger was causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems and from his cross the unmarked Gary Ross somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy just minutes later.
Lossiemouth were always in the game at 1-0 and in Darren Shallicker they have a player who has netted more than twice as many times as the Lilywhites top scorer. The airman hit a snapshot on the turn after receiving a throughball from Dave Macdonald but this effort was straight at keeper Ally Ridgers.
Gary Ross had yet another great opportunity to net when he ran onto a Mike Sanderson flick but once again failed to hit the target when it appeared that he was certain to score. David Ross came closer than his namesake Gary when he crashed a 7 yard header off the Lossiemouth crossbar when he rose to meet a dangerous Neil MacCuish free kick.
The Lilywhites had one final chance to add to their tally before the break when Alex Bone collected a Neil MacCuish ball to feet, turned his man and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area only to be denied by the Lossie keeper who pulled off a fine fingertip save.
Half time - Clachnacuddin 1 Lossiemouth 0
Lossiemouth came out for the second half looking fired up and within seven minutes they were back on level terms. David Hendry's excellent build up play saw him pick out Lee Moir at the far post and the teenager headed the ball low to Ally Ridgers right, beating the keeper with ease.
Nevertheless Clach bounced back and regained their advantage ten minutes later. Gary Ross was the provider and David Ross the executioner as he drilled the ball beyond Stevie Dunn from just six yards.
Once again the game swung straight up the other end and Darren Shallicker skimmed the Clach crossbar with a 20 yard free kick that was lifted over the wall but did not have sufficient dip to beat the crossbar.
The game remained on a knife edge up until the 85th minute when Clach sealed their place in the next round thanks to super sub Craig MacMillan who volleyed a David Ross cross into the back of the net from eight yards.
Darren Shallicker was once again given the chance to net two minutes later but he could only force a corner after Ally Ridgers made another fine save. From the Steven Ellis resulting corner from the left, David Macdonald headed goalwards but once again the former ICT keeper made the save. There was one final goalmouth scramble that saw youngster David Ritchie prevent Lossie pulling one back by heading off the line ensuring the game finished 3-1.
Full time – Clachnacuddin 3 Lossiemouth 1
Team – Dunn, Hendry, Macdonald, Youngson, McIntosh, Moir, Noble, McMullen, Ford, Shallicker, Ellis
Scorers – Moir (52)
Booked – Shalliker Sent Off - None
Subs Used – Walker (Moir 78)