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Stables make Piggins semis after shoot-out
Stables 1, Northern Vaults 1 (Stables win 4-3 on pens) - Stables were on Piggins Cup duty at the weekend, when they played host to Northern Vaults for the second week on the trot.
With only 11 players available for one reason or another Stables feared that it would be difficult to bounce back from the previous week's 7-2 humiliation.
The home side had the brighter start when Mark Garnes sent lone striker Graham Bruce on goal, but his shot was easily saved.
It was all Stables at this stage, and Bruce again had a chance on 10 minutes from 18 yards but this time his effort came crashing off the crossbar.
On 15 minutes Craig Robertson had a good run down the left and sent over an inch perfect cross for Bruce again, only for his header to be superbly stopped by the Vaults keeper's knee.
Vaults had a couple of chances themselves but found the Stables rearguard of Fleming, Forbes, Renilson and Strachan hard to break down.
The new look centre midfield pairing of Douglas and Low were in magnificent form, and were ably assisted by Garnes, Smith and Robertson. Low managed a couple of efforts on goal too, but the Vaults goalkeeper had no trouble stopping them.
Thirty seconds after the break Stables won a corner on the left. Barry Douglas sent over a low cross which was met by Craig Robertson on the edge of the box, and his shot went through a sea of legs into the back of the net.
This setback gave Vaults the kick they needed. The visitors enjoyed long spells of domination but were finding it difficult to get past the Stables defence.
However their dominance was rewarded after 65 minutes when a fine move saw the equaliser they deserved.
After 90 minutes the score remained at 1-1 and extra time beckoned. The extra 30 minutes came and went with neither side finding that elusive winner.
Vaults won the toss and went first in the penalty kicks. They scored with their first, skipper Clark Renilson then equalised for Stables, keeper Bruce Ritchie saved Vaults second kick.
Mark Garnes then slotted in for Stables to take the lead. Vaults scored with their third kick, and Michael Strachan then scored with Stables' third. Vaults scored again with their fourth penalty.
Craig Robertson stepped up knowing that his strike could end things, only to find his effort saved by the Vaults keeper.
But Bruce Ritchie then saved Vaults's fifth penalty and Graham Bruce stepped up to finish the tie at 4-3 in Stables' favour.
Clearly knackered after his first full game in over three years, manager Graham Bruce said afterwards: "That was a hard fought win today, with a bare 11 it was always going to be tough for us. Penalties are always a lottery, but I think we deserved to win."
This week's training session will be held on Thursday at 6pm at Wards Road. Meanwhile, Stables will travel to Marykirk on league duty this Sunday. Players should meet at Stables car park at 9:45am.
Stables - B. Ritchie, G. Fleming, D. Forbes, M. Strachan, C. Renilson, B. Douglas, F. Smith, C. Low, M. Garnes, G. Bruce, C. Robertson.
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Weather for Brechin
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 13 C
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