Some surprises sprung in the McCook Cup
The Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare Football Association cup competitions, and the current league campaign, have been dominated in recent weeks by Grantown Utd and Aviemore Thistle.
But neither side will be lifting the McCook Cup this year following Tuesday night;s opening round.
Grantown Utd 0-3 Badenoch Utd
This tie was initially swapped from Grantown Grammar School to the Aviemore 3G due to issues with the pitch.
However, Grantown were unable to pull a side together due to holidays and other commitments, so Badenoch advance into tomorrow’s semi finals where they will face Cromdale, once again in Aviemore.
Cromdale 6-1 Aviemore Thistle
The Jags struggled to pull a side together for the same reasons as Grantown Utd, but even still this was a surprising thumping win for Cromdale.
Dale have been threatening to win big all season, and that’s exactly what they did, and just when it mattered.
The game began fairly evenly, with both sides pressing into the other’s territory but it was Cromdale who drew first blood in the 18th minute.
A corner from Charlie McKay was swung over into the box where Iain Brooks met it with a powerful header into the net.
Dale were dominate by now, and they soon doubled their advantage.
Ewan Mackintosh found himself in space and sent through a perfect pass to Brooks who wasted no time in drilling the ball low inside the post.
Thistle though pulled a goal back shortly before the interval.
Craig MacLeod delivered the perfect corner and Dominic Satnay rose to meet it, powering home his header to claw Thistle within a goal. The goal energised the visitors as they came out for the second half a more determined outfit.
But despite having several chances, they were unable to convert any into goals. This would prove costly.
And it would be that man Brooks who would do it again.
He slammed home a deserved hat-trick with an exquisite volley into the top corner from an Alex Williamson corner.
Brooks was on fire now, and as if to prove it added his and Cromdale’s fourth goal on 71 minutes with a another header from a corner, this time Fergus Riach was the provider.
Brooks would then turn provider for Cromdale’s fifth as he slipped through Riach to fire across the keeper into the net.
Frustrations began to rise and the last 10 minutes witnessed a flurry of yellow cards, with Cromdale’s Cairn Giles receiving two of them and given his marching orders.
But despite the numerical disadvantage Cromdale were still hungry for another goal.
This came in injury time when Charlie MacKay was brought down inside the box for a penalty. MacKay himself took it, firing low into the bottom corner to see Cromdale run out 6-1 winners.
In other welfare news, Cromdale had to forfeit their Highland Cup tie with MacDuff on Saturday, bringing an end to their National Cup aspirations.
However, Aviemore Thistle and Grantown Utd still face lengthy trips away from home and are looking for local business to help sponsor their travel costs.
Aviemore have Invercairn from near Fraserburgh in the Highland Cup and Grantown utd have Belleaire from Greenock in the Scottish Cup
Anyone wishing to help can email teams@sbwfa.co.uk .
