ARDENCAPLE FC’s 2006 team secured a dramatic shoot-out win away to Pirie Park on Saturday in the fourth round of the West Regional Cup.

Caple survived the loss of four of their main players, all of them away on holiday during the mid-term school break, to defeat the Govan side 7-6 on penalties after the tie finished 1-1.

With a stiff wind at their backs, Ardencaple had the better of the first half, creating four good chances; the first saw Poirier outpace the defence and clip the ball past the keeper, only to see it hit the inside of the post.

Ardencaple continued to have the best of the first half and Poirier and Murray had shots from 15 yards pushed round the post by the Pirie Park keeper.

With the Ardencaple defence and midfield keeping a good shape, Pirie were limited to two long range efforts which goalkeeper O’Rourke saved comfortably.

But after the break Pirie threw more men forward – and though they were thwarted by good work in defence and midfield from the visitors, 12 minutes into the second half the home side took the lead when Godwin stopped to appeal for a foul, and the Pirie midfielder took advantage of that brief hesitation to fire home from 20 yards.

A well-marshalled defence prevented Pirie adding to their lead, and with only a few minutes left Caple threw caution to the wind and pushed another player up front – and the tactical change was rewarded when Poirier released Murray, who held off the home centre-half before blasting home from 20 yards to send the tie to a shoot-out.

And it was keeper O’Rourke who came to the fore with three outstanding penalty saves to help take Caple into the quarter-finals – adding to their last eight spot in the Norman Winton Cup.

Goalkeeper O’Rourke and defenders Livingston and Sharp deserve special mention, along with Murray for his fine goal, while Ballantyne also had a fine game playing out of position.

Squad: O’Rourke, Livingston, L. Sharp, Ballantyne, Dougan, Wilson, C. Sharp,Williams, Godwin, Poirier, Murray, Murphy, Szeles, Ridge, Fraser.

Ardencaple have another tough fixture away to Port Glasgow this Saturday.

Caple are looking for players to add to their 2013 age group squad. Any interested players or parents are asked to contact Euan Birss on 0795 442 0778.