Shotts move into the cup knockout stage

Aug 14 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

EVEN at this halfway stage, Shotts Bon Accord look set to power their way into the Sectional League Cup knockout stages.

They opened their campaign on Wednesday with a 6-1 trouncing of Wishaw, then dumped Forth 3-0 on Saturday, bringing lavish praise from opposition boss Paul Anderson.

“Shotts gave us a lesson – the first 45 minutes was some of the best football I’ve seen in junior football,” he said.

Shotts manager Duncan Sinclair enthused: “We’ve added strength to the team as well as depth. I thought we were outstanding in the first half and going in at just 3-0 I felt slightly disappointed – it could have been six or seven.

“Forth gave us a stern test in the second half, when they closed up tighter, but that was another positive for us because we matched their strength.”

New signing Darren Ferguson headed the first goal of the season after just three minutes of Wednesday’s clash. Hugh Kelly doubled the lead off a John Boyack pass in 11 minutes, and Ferguson notched his own second after 18 minutes.

Chris Gardner hit the fourth with a low drive, before Wishaw pulled one back through James Coffey but Kelly and Gardner stretched the lead to 6-1.

Scorers at Forth were Boyack, Mark McKeever and Gardner.

Jamie Wright and Steve Herriott have picked up knocks and could be doubtful for Saturday.

Forth won 2-0 at Carluke when trialist Andy Dias scored from a Marc Napier through-ball, and the second was an own goal from Gary Frame.

Carluke boss Whitey Moffat said: “I was very pleased with our performance, although we lost 2-0.

“I thought the young lads played exceptionally well and showed a lot of promise.

“I felt Forth’s goal was scored against the run of play.

Forth manager Paul Anderson said: “I thought we played well and we just edged it.”

Shotts and Wishaw are at home to Newmains and Carluke, respectively, on Saturday, while Wishaw play their postponed tie against Newmains on Monday.

Carluke and Newmains have home ties on Wednesday against Shotts and Forth.