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Goal-shy Bolag left gutted after cup exit
Brechin Bolag AFC 1, Dunbarney 2 (aet)- DESPERATELY unlucky Bolag exited the Tayside Cup in round three after giving their all for 120 punishing minutes on Sunday.
Like the week before a failure to convert chances is costing the Brechiners dear and as the season heads into the latter stages it is now a real worry with more big cup ties to be played.
Without doubt the Bolag were the better side but Bridge of Earn side Dunbarney were well organised and tried to play football in the correct manner throughout.
It was apparent early doors that it would be a tight game with little goal threat.
That changed in 26 minutes when a good period of pressure resulted in Liam Middleton being brought down in the area.
Ernie Clark's spot kick, however, struck the post and the chance was gone.
Shortly before half time Andy Rosie rose and powered in a great header from a McCombie corner that beat the keeper but it smashed off the crossbar and was cleared.
Dunbarney had their first real chance at the start of the second half but Dave Lindsay cleared a goalbound effort off the line.
Nothing much was happening in the half. Then, in the closing stages, the Bolag had a right go at winning the tie with a succession of corners, causing chaos in the Dunbarney rearguard. Blair McCombie hit one that blasted off the woodwork, Craig Laing's shot was hacked off the line and Alan Wilson at the back post had a great chance to win it at the death but headed wide.
With both teams tiring the game opened up in extra time but again the Bolag looked the better side and they finally took the lead in 98 minutes when Kevin MacAulay shot McCombie's low cross into the net.
Four minutes later the home side fell asleep at a free kick which was quickly taken and a shot going no-where flew off the helpless Wolfie Hamilton's shoulder and past Euan Clark to give Dunbarney a freak equaliser.
Into the second period and a fine passing move in 114 minutes looked to give the Bolag the lead but when Craig Laing raced clear he unselfishly played the ball to Chris Wallace who despairingly took a fresh air swipe at the ball which was despatched down to the other end and after a solo run, shot past the keeper Clark to give Dunbarney the lead.
Kevin Rennie's drive went close then, with the last move of the match, Blair McCombie took a ball over the top on the volley 30 yards out.
It didn't give the keeper an earthly as he turned round in time to see the ball for a fourth time smash off the woodwork - and sum up the Bolag's day as the final whistle blew.
Afterwards a spokesman said:" The players all put in a real shift and we were all gutted to go out of the cup but we are having problems scoring at the moment. Hopefully we can get a couple of players back and three points at home to Kirrie on Sunday."
Training is on Thursday at the Leisure Centre at 6pm. For Sunday players meet at the Public Park at 10.15am.
Brechin Bolag - E. Clark, D. Lindsay, A. Rosie (C. Wallace), G. MacFarlane, A. Wilson (B. Meston), W. Hamilton , L. Middleton, B. McCombie, E. Clark (K.MacAulay), C. Laing and K. Rennie.
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Weather for Brechin
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
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