With John Usher out Gav Middleton took on the left back position in an otherwise unchanged team to face Hillhead. We started off slowly again and for the 2nd game running, Paul had to make a great save in the 2nd minute when a cross from the right was almost converted. Hillhead were obviously up for the game probably following a 5 goal thrashing by us a few weeks ago, however after 5 minutes Jason won the ball in the middle and put the ball to Zander who ran past the defenders into the box, his ball to Ritchie was good enough bit Ritchies shot was weak and saved. After 12 minutes we got the first goal, a ball forward from the back found Gibby with his back to goal about 20 yards out, he laid it back to jason who then played in Zander again, this time his ball to Ritchie in the box was perfectly finished off, 1 - 0. Stevie Whyte then put a great ball across the face of the goal from the right but everyone missed the chance to bury it. After 20 mins Zander played a 1 - 2 into the box on the left and again his ball across the face was missed. One of many floated balls from Gav went perfectly onto Gibbys head on the 22nd minute but the header went narrowly wide. Just after a low ball this time from Gav went right across goal to Stevie who's shot was low but just wide of the post. After 27 minutes we doubled our advantage when another ball into the box from Stevie on the right was missed by their defenders, Gibby took possession 6 yards out and made no mistake burying the ball into the net. After 33 minutes we should have scored again when John WIllox ran onto a thru ball on the right, he jinked (like he does!) past the keeper and hit a shot across goal where it hit the far post and came back out again when it looked like it was on its way in. We kept pressing for the remainder of the half and John and Zander both had shots on goal but we went in with a 2 goal advantage.

Hillhead again came out the better of the two teams and only a great goal line clearance by Michael Rae prevented them puling one back. Just after that the game was effectively over when John got the ball on the right, went to the bye line and crossed perfectly to Gibby's prolific head ! He powered the shot down and although the keeper got a hand to it, he couldn't keep it out, 3 - 0. After 10 minutes we got a free kick on the left about 25 yards out, with the defence expecting a ball into the box, Gav played a shot ball inside to Zander who hit a low cross across the 6 yards line but nobody got to it and it was cleared for a corner. It was taken short then played into Gibbys feet and although facing the wrong way, took control and turned and hit it in one movement burying it into the net for his hat trick, 4 - 0. Some of the interplay was brilliant to watch at this point, Gav had a great shot from 20 yards after a run but the dipping shot was held by the keeper. After 290 minutes another flowing move involving Zander, Gavin Stevie Powell and Ritchie ended up with the keeper making a good save.  Gav then had another shot saved and after 25 minutes a shot from Ritchie was again saved. After the half hour though we rounded off a really good performance with our 5th goal. Hillhead were pushing us back but a long ball to John around 20 yards out saw him take it across the line and then played in Stevie Whyte who came into the box late on the right to hit the ball under the keeper and into the net, just like last week ! Just after Paul had to make a fingertip save to preserve his clean sheet. Gav took another free kick but his well struck shot was held under the bar by the keeper. In the last 10 minutes John had another chance but his little touch past the keeper was read and Sisco, who had replaced Gibby earlier, was through on goal in the middle but the keeper did well to save his low shot. Then what has to be the best move of the game (so says Brucie!) when he broke out of defence, sprinted clear of the midfield and player the ball out to Zander, his cross into the box was cleared out to Bruce and he looked to have scored with a fiercely hit rising shot (where the hell do I get this from!) was miraculously saved by the acrobatic keeper (thats Brice's version!), I'm saying sod all!

So another 5 goals, making us on 66 goals for the season so far, a fantastic return and one that really sets us up for a stern test at Banks'o'Dee next week, watch this space!

 

 

 

Grahams Match Report

 MAUD PROGRESS INTO SCOTTISH CUP 4TH ROUND
Kicking off in very soft and slippery conditions Maud made a slow start and were nearly caught out in the 2nd minute when a cross in was saved by an alert Leask in goals. Good run past the defenders by A Davidson who passed onto Ligertwood only for his weak shot fail to trouble the keeper. Finally in the 12th minute Maud broke the deadlock. Some great interlinking play inside the 18 yard box saw McDonald play onto A Davidson whose cross into Ligertwood was perfectly finished off. A good cross into the box by S Whyte was missed by all strikers denying Maud a second goal. Ligertwood crossed onto Middleton whose inch perfect ball onto the head of Stephen was headed just past the post. After a few near misses Maud eventually doubled their tally in the 27th minute when again a ball in from the right by S Whyte was missed by the defence and pounced on by Stephen who from 6 yards out made no mistake. In the 33rd minute Willox should have scored after picking up a loose ball, swerved past his marker and sent in a rocket of a shot which hit off the inside of the post and came back out again much to his astonishment. A Davidson sent in a through ball to Willox who again came off second best with the keeper. Half time came and Maud went in with the 2 goal advantage.
The second half kicked off and immediately Maud were on the back foot as Hillhead upped the tempo and only a goal line clearance from Rae kept Maud on a clean sheet. Pirie the replaced an injured McDonald. Settling down again Maud stepped up the pressure and a great cross in the 52nd minute from Willox onto the head of Stephen whose powered header could not be prevented from going in by the keepers hand. Four minutes later Stephen rounded off a brilliant performance with his third of the afternoon when play from Middleton in the corner caught out the defence when he passed back to A Davidson whose low shot in picked out Stephen to complete the hat trick. Some great interlinking play by Maud led to chances created for Ligertwood, Powell, Middleton and A Davidson but all were denied by Hillheads keeper. Good build up starting from Maud's back four led to Willox sending a diagonal cross over to the right wing. Picked up by a fast running in S Whyte who calmly picked his spot and sent the shot in under the keeper. Leask was alert as he denied the Hillhead striker with a great save to preserve his clean sheet. Maud by this time had the game effectively won and could have increased the score line if not for the good display by Hillheads keeper. A last chance as the game drew to a close when B Davidson on a rare run upfield beat the midfield and crossed diagonally to A Davidson whose shot was cleared back out to B Davidson. Sending in a rocket of a shot could only watch in dismay as again Maud were thwarted by the acrobatic save of Hillheads keeper. A great result for Maud sending them for the first time in the clubs history into the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. But back to league duty next week away to Banks o Dee with a 2.30pm kick off.