Border Telegraph | Sport | Coasting to cup progress

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 25th October, 2005 10:38

Coasting to cup progress

By Border Telegraph Sport

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Girvan Amateurs 1, Selkirk 4

SELKIRK soared through to the Scottish Cup first round after a sensational replay victory in Ayrshire.

The Souters were fortunate last week to scrape out the rematch with a last-minute penalty.

But it was a completely different story this Saturday.

And boss Fraser Lothian was quick to pay tribute to his team. He told the Border Telegraph: “That was the best workrate I have ever seen from one of my teams. Every player was outstanding.

“We were under pressure a bit in the first 20 minutes, but as soon as we went in front we began to control the game.

“As the game went on we just got better and better.”

With four players missing the Yarrow Park management team was forced into several changes.

And brought back some familiar faces – Jason Cockburn and Paul Edwards – into the squad.

Young Michael Romanes was handed a rare start and comeback kid Gary McShane was pushed into the middle of midfield.

Any worries that the changes would weaken the team were unfounded.

Cockburn and central defence partner Gary Lothian looked more than comfortable dealing with Girvan’s tricky forwards.

And Romanes worked his socks off down the right wing.

But it was the home team who still created the best early chances. A Martin McIlwraith header was brilliantly saved by Gavin Watson on 20 minutes. And a Darren Mitchell overhead kick smacked the inside of the post just moments later.

Gary Hastie forced Jonathon Lopez into a good block at the other end, before Selkirk finally edged in front.

Craig Lothian and McShane linked up to feed Craig Livingstone just inside the area. The teenager turned his marker before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

And five minutes before the break, the lead was doubled.

Hastie’s deep cross was volleyed into the roof of the net by McShane.

Girvan looked stunned – and the 300 home supporters silenced.

And their afternoon was further spoiled seven minutes after the restart. Craig Lothian picked out Livinstone who beat the offside trap, and the striker waltzed round Lopez to walk the ball into the net.

Selkirk continued to press forward with McShane and Romanes at the heart of some great play.

The fourth arrived on 70 minutes. Hastie pulled away from his marker to unleash a great shot into the bottom corner from the angle.

Only some good goalkeeping kept the score at four as substitute Davie Deans twice tested Lopez.

Girvan snatched a late consolation from Darren Mitchell in the dying minutes, but Fraser Lothain and his coaching staff were already planning next month’s trip to Alloa long before the final whistle.

Selkirk travel to the Recreation Ground on November 19, with the winners hosting Montrose in the second round.

Selkirk. G Watson, A Biggs, R Moffat, G Lothian, J Cockburn, C Lothian, M Romanes (P Hossack 87), G McShane, G Hastie (D Deans 70), C Livingstone (P Edwards 74) & C Tyson.

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