Tayport FC 7 - 1 Ardeer Thistle FC (Match Report - 24/09/22)

Tayport FC 7 - 1 Ardeer Thistle FC

24/09/22

2.30pm Kick Off

The Canniepairt

Scottish Junior Cup – Round 2

Match Report by Charlotte Wilde

Photographs by Ryan Masheder Photography

After two weeks of no competitive action, Tayport returned to The Canniepairt to face Ayrshire side Ardeer Thistle in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup. The club received a bye for the first round, so this was their first appearance in this cup this season. Tayport dominated the match and came out on top with some incredibly skilful goals.

It only took a minute into the match for Tayport to take the lead. Craig Sturrock lofted the ball up the field to Kieran Sturrock who then ran with the ball into Ardeer’s box. Ardeer keeper John Lynn came out to try and tackle Kieran Sturrock for the ball, but Sturrock kept his composure, ran past Lynn and slotted the ball into the back of the net. However, Tayport’s early lead didn’t last long when Ardeer equalised through an own goal only 4 minutes later. Craig Sturrock attempted to head the ball backwards towards Port keeper Darren Brown but, unfortunately, Brown slipped and the ball went over him and into the net. Only 5 minutes of the match played and the score was 1-1.

Despite their unlucky own goal, Tayport continued to keep more of the possession and in the 19th minute, Nik Edwards got Tayport their second goal. Ethan Samson ran with the ball from the halfway line before slipping the ball to Edwards on the edge of the box. Edwards then shot the ball across the goal and into the bottom left corner.

10 minutes before the end of the first half, Ardeer’s Jake Sillars had a chance to bring the score level again, but his powerful shot was well defended by Tayport’s Greg McColm who cleared the ball away from the box.

Ryan Paterson had a couple of great chances for the home side but his shot on goal went wide and his free kick hit the cross bar. However, in injury time, Paterson got his goal. Lynn went to catch the ball but missed it and the ball fell to Paterson who chipped it over the keeper into the net. The half time whistle blew and the score at the break was 3-1 to Tayport.

As the second half began, it was looking like a much similar story to the first half. Tayport were dominating the ball and controlling the game and they also took advantage when Ardeer’s Joe Young received a second yellow card. With Tayport comfortably leading the match, substitutions were made and this led to Tayport’s fourth goal. Ross McDonald ran into the box with the ball and passed it to Kyle McMulkin. Substitute McMulkin then slipped the ball past Lynn and into the net.

As the game approached the 70th minute mark, a foul on Paterson in the box lead to the referee pointing to the penalty spot. As Kieran Sturrock stepped up to take the penalty, there was clear disruption from the away fans. Smoke flares were being set off in the crowd and this caused the game to be temporarily abandoned before Sturrock could take his penalty. 10 minutes later, the game resumed. Sturrock stepped up and easily slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.

In the 80th minute, Kieran Sturrock got his hat-trick and made the score 6-1 for Tayport. Paterson crossed the ball over to Sturrock in the box who then slipped the ball into the net. Only 5 minutes later, the Port got their seventh and final goal. Paterson ran into the box and skilfully passed the defence and Lynn before tapping the ball home. The match ended 7-1 to Tayport, sending the team into the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Manager Daryl McKenzie said he was “really really happy to be in the next round”. He added that some of the goals scored “showed real moments of quality” in the team. McKenzie also said that he is “looking forward to a home tie against Rutherglen Glencairn in the next round”, but that for now the team need to “concentrate on league business for the next month”.

Striker Kieran Sturrock received the Tayport Distillery Man of the Match award for his great contribution to the match with his fantastic hat-trick.

Tayport Team:

1 Darren Brown

2 Callum Walls (Heggie)

3 Ross McDonald (Malone)

4 Greg McColm

5 Craig Sturrock

6 Jamie Hume (C) (Barbour)

7 Daryl McKenzie

8 Ethan Samson (Fraser)

9 Nik Edwards (McMulkin)

10 Ryan Paterson

11 Kieran Sturrock

Substitutes:

12 Kyle McMulkin

14 Adam Fraser

15 Innes Barbour

16 Jim Malone

17 Bradie Heggie

20 Charlie Kennedy

Ardeer Thistle FC Team:

1 John Lynn

2 David Donald

3 Jack Loudon

4 Scott Hindmarsh

5 Michael Howie

6 Jay McManus

7 Reece Lapham

8 Marc Wardrobe

9 Jake Sillars

10 Dylan Stevenson

11 Joe Young

Substitutes:

12 Jack Taylor

13 Chrissy Hamilton

15 Kieran Murphy

16 Logan Angus

19 Thomas Miller

25 Ross McRonald