Reds v Lochgilphead SC

Following on from last week’s League Cup Victory, Ardencaple hosted Lochgilphead Saturday morning but with one forced change as Eidan has an ankle injury.
The game started brightly for Caple who could have been 2 up within the first couple of minutes. Aidan was put through by Nathan but his shot was smothered by the keeper and then Aidan repaid the compliment putting Nathan through only for his shot to skew wide of the post. Aidan was playing well on the right and played a nice 1-2 with Chris only for the keeper to make another good save.
Chris then made a good run into space down the right, played a nice lay off to Allan who crossed a teasing ball over the heads of the defenders but unfortunately just over Aidan as well.
A quick through by Chris allowed Nathan to drive a low cross along the 6 yard line but Aidan effort sailed over. Lewis Grant then played in Nathan but his driven cross was deflected wide for a corner.
Half time 0-0
Subs Blair on – Chris off
The 2nd half started as the first finished, with Caple on the offensive. Caple won a few corners on the bounce but couldn’t break the deadlock and score the opening goal. Aidan was clean through, this time the keeper made a brilliant save. The midfield was dominant and after some good play by Lewis Grant a pass put Blair in the clear but his shot went just wide.
Aidan then had another effort that fizzed wide, Blair tried a cheeky lob that landed on the roof of the net and just when it was looking as if Caple were going to rue the misses, Lewis Fagan made a good run down the left, passed Aidan who beat his man, drove into the box and laid a ball into Jack’s path. His driven shot into the bottom left gave Caple the lead. 1 – 0
Jack gave away a free kick on the edge of the box, but the shot went straight into Tommy’s hands.
Subs: Calum/Andy L on – Jack/Nathan off
Harry came out of a tackle badly and needed to go off for treatment. MJ replaced him.
Through all of this confusion and changes in positions a ball was played through the middle of the Caple defence and the striker ran on to slot past Tommy to equalise.
Blair played a good ball through to Aidan whose shot went just over. The ref, who had made a few bizarre decisions then let a Lochgilphead player, who was about 2 yards offside run on and score past Tommy, to the dismay of everyone watching! 1-2 down.
Subs: Harry/Chris on – Blair/Andy L off
Harry went back into the middle of defence with Rhys pushing into a more attacking position and this change paid dividends. Calum played a pass to Rhys who slid a ball through to Aidan who set himself up to drive the ball past the keeper . 2 – 2.
And that was the final score so extra time was played.
Nathan/Jack on – MJ/Calum off
In the first attack a corner was won, Chris drilled a cross over and Tom Storey rose headed goal wards but the effort was blocked and then cleared off the line. Tom then played in Nathan but his shot was straight at the keeper. The rest of extra time was pretty uneventful with the midfields trying hard but no clean efforts on goal from either side so penalties it was.
Harry and Allan scored scored but as Rhys and Aidan missed Lochgilphead went through to the semi finals.
The effort from the guys was great, Caple had all the possession, territory and attempts on goal. 2 lapses at the back (1 a ref decision) cost us 2 goals but if we don’t take our chances at the other end we won’t win matches.