Never-say-die spirit shines through for Rhu
Published 20 Jan 2012 08:30
Rhu Amts................4
Brightons Amts......3
RHU faced Falkirk team Brightons from the Central Scottish Premier League on Saturday in this fourth round Scottish Cup tie.
It turned out to be a cracking tie with the result only being decided in the dying minutes.
Rhu started brightly on the heavy pitch getting the ball forward early and they took the lead after 15 minutes.
Davie Phillips put Davie Falconer through on the right and his fierce cross-cum-shot ended up in the net.
It was end-to-end with both teams having spells in control, but it was the visitors who drew level when a long throw in to the
box wasn't cleared properly and the Brightons striker fired home at the back post.
This gave Brightons a lift and they forced Rhu back for a spell but it was Rhu who went ahead 10 minutes before the break when a short back pass was intercepted by Davie Falconer and he slid the ball through the keeper's legs to put Rhu ahead at the break.
The home side lost McMillan at the break with MacDonald taking his place at full-back.
The second half was just the same as the first with both teams going for it.
Rhu were forcing the play with Brightons hitting on the break and the visitors drew level when their tricky winger evaded two challenges before finding a team-mate at the back post and he tapped the ball home.
This was all the encouragement Brightons needed and they went ahead shortly after when their striker broke through on the left and hit the ball home at the near post.
With 10 minutes left Rhu brought on Dougie Black and Jamie Bailey going three at the back and pushing David Sinclair up front and within five minutes they were level.
Jamie Bailey got the ball on the left and his first-time pass found Davie Falconer in the box and his shot was blocked by the keeper but he scored with his second attempt much to the delight of the large crowd.
With two minutes left the place went wild when Rhu grabbed the winner.
Clever play by Hugh Ward put John McColl through on the left and he hammered the ball in to the top right-hand corner of the net.
Brightons could not believe it but it was Rhu going in to round five.
Rhu: Stevenson, McMillan, Thomson, Brodie, Grant, Phillips, McColl, Scullion, Sinclair, Ward, Falconer. Subs: Black, MacDonald, J Bailey.
Rhu have to do it all again on Saturday when they face Ashvale Victoria again from the Central Scottish Premier League at home in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, kick-off 2pm.
This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 19 Jan 12
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