SAUCHIE JUNIORS got their Scottish Cup campaign underway with a victory over Culter, seeing them through to the next round.
Manager Fraser Duncan made three changes from last week, a notable inclusion for under 20s’ Graeme Hynd, who joined the back four in place of the suspended Lucas Williamson.
Things got off to a dream start for Sauchie after just four minutes - defender Ross Hutchison charged forward before taking the shot, a curling effort to beat Keller Emslie in the Culter goal.
The Aberdeen-based hosts look to get back into the game. Ryan Stewart and Ryan Smart had chances, but both were cleared by Sauchie's assured defence.
Midfielder Sam Collumbine had a quick free-kick, linking up with Stuart McDowell, his shot gathered by Emslie.
Sauchie headed into the break with the lead and confidence, knowing they had controlled the first 45 minutes.
After the half-time interval, it was Culter who came out of the traps quickly, with chances falling in front of goal on every attack but not enough to make goalkeeper Keir Burt work.
On the hour mark, the visitors could breathe a little easier as stand-in captain and target man Ross Kavanagh grabbed the team’s second of the day.
It had been some great football from Aaron Isaacs, who met the waiting Kavanagh after chances of his own had been denied.
With two minutes of the regular 90 left, Culter’s Olisa Anyoegbuam had a shot find its way into the back of the net, beating Burt with a wicked deflection.
Made to work during the added time, but it was Sauchie who would advance following the sounding of the referee’s eventual full-time whistle.
Goalkeeper coach Greig Maitland spoke to Advertiser Sport, lauding the team: “To a man, the guys were absolutely phenomenal.
“We went up there with nine players missing, thirteen first-time players and four under 20s, tremendous.”
It was determined that Sauchie Juniors will now play Strathspey Thistle in the first round, a match which will take place on Saturday, September 28 at Seafield Park in Grantown-on-Spey.
The team also make their return to the Scottish Junior Cup this Saturday, an away match to Largs Thistle at Barrfields Park, in what is a 2:30pm kick-off.
SAUCHIE: Burt, Willaghan, Hutchison, Thomson, Collumbine, Caves, Kavanagh, McDowell (Sludden 77’), Isaacs, Hynd, Fisher. UNUSED SUBS: Robertson, Swain, McNeil, Severin.
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