ST DUTHUS FC 1 – 1 BONAR BRIDGE FC (3 – 5 PENS) – NORTH CALEDONIAN CUP RD1

Week 28 of the North Caledonian Season seen us feature in the North Caledonian Cup against St Duthus FC at Grant Park in Tain. This was the third meeting between the sides this season as we looked to get the better of the Tain side after close encounters in the previous two fixtures.

The first half started with both sides looking to settle into the game. Conditions were not great with rain falling and the park being wet which meant both sides had to work hard to play football. Bonar had the better of the first half chances but couldn’t get the break through. On 38 minutes through the half after making a great save earlier in the half Bonar Goalkeeper, Stevie Martin, had to leave the field after sustaining a concussion. With no sub goalkeeper on the bench, Midfielder Bruce Urquhart stepped into goals. Just before half time Bonar Bridge were awarded a penalty after a shirt pull in the box from a deep Bonar freekick. Jake Lockett dispatched second time round after his penalty was saved by John Allan. 1-0 Half Time.

Second half started similar to the first with both teams looking to get the ball forward early. Bruce Urquhart now in the Bonar goals along with a strong defensive performance meant St Duthus didn’t get back into the game easily. Good battling in the midfield from Cameron Breen & Mark McKernie meant they were hard to break down. Bonar again created chances to kill the game but couldn’t find the finishing touch with John Allan holding strong in the Saint goal. St Duthus were reduced to 10 men on the 73rd when John Skinner was given his marching orders after an altercation with Bonar player Matteus Robertson. On 87 minutes St Duthus drew the game level through a great strike from Liam Rostock from 20 yards giving Bruce Urquhart no chance and sending the game into Extra Time. Full Time 1-1

Extra started at the same pace as normal time. Both sides looked to get ahead and stop the fixture going all the way to penalties. John Allan pulled a off a terrific save after a Shaun Marshall strike was bound for the top corner. Both sides remained strong in defense and kept the game level as we headed into the penalty shootout. 1-1 AET.

5 great penalties taken from Jake Lockett, Bruce Urquhart, Mark McKernie, James Macleod & finally Robbie Breen for Bonar Bridge were enough to see us through through to the next round after St Duthus FC missed their second penalty. All penalties are included within the highlights. Bonar won the shootout 5-3 in the end.

A great team performance from Bonar Bridge FC after losing there only named Goalkeeper in the first half with all players doing there bit to get us into the Quarter Final.