AHSFP  2   v Auchterarder Primrose 0    Hercules Den, Arbroath   Saturday 28th November 2009 - North of Tay Cup 3rd round
 
   The FPs faced unbeaten Perthshire side Auchterarder Primrose, with the visitors favourites to win this tie. The FPs had Kidd and Matty Gall unavailable along with player manger Donnie Smith out injured. They welcomed back Michael Gall who had a new strike partner in Kevin Dall, Kris Ferrier was back to the left wing with Gordon Smith bringing some steel to the midfield
     The visitors started the game the more livelier, and the game developed into a very open cup tie with Auchterarder outplaying the FPs but failing to breach a very solid FPs defence. The FPs passing was not up to scratch but the work ethic from the team ensured they held Auchterarder at bay. The visitors did have a tendency to go to ground rather too easily and they were awarded some dubious free kicks, but overall the game was played in hard fought but fair manner. The visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the FPs box, but the kick just skimmed the top of Saunderson's crossbar. The FPs keeper was in fine form, and the visitors had a claim for a penalty after a handball in the FPs box, but the referee was unsighted and he couldn't award a penalty without seeing the incident. The FPs looked dangerous on the counter attack but neither Gall nor Dall had any clear cut chances to speak of as too ofetn, the FPs move fell away as the got near the visitors penalty area.
     
half time - AHSFP 0  v   Auchterarder Primrose 0  
 
     The FPs started the second half  strongly, and they soon found a passing game which had deserted them in the first half. Ferrier and Sharps pace and skill had Auchterarder on the back foot and a succession of FPs corners were not converted as the FPs tried in search for a goal. After approximately ten minutes into the half, and the goal was an early XMAS present for the FPs after the Auchterarder keeper, who had looked solid all game, fluffed a clearance with his foot, with the ball falling at the feet of DALL, who showed he had lost none of his natural instinct by taking a few touches and firing the ball between the keepers legs to make it 1-0 to the FPs. With Mclaren tackling and passing elegantly, and G.Smith on a one man crusade in midfield, the FPs had the upper hand at this point and the front two Gall and Dall were getting a better service. Auchterarders young midfielder still looked a handful, with real pace and quality about his game, but he was well marshalled by Mclaren and G.Smith. The visitors had a fine chance to equalise but Saunderson was equal to it and pulled off a fine save. The visitors had another free kick which they again skimmed the top of the FPs crossbar with. The FPs replied with some fine passing play but could not get the next decisive goal. After some sustained pressure, a Dall long throw from the edge of the visitors eighteen yard line, was head flicked on by Fenwick and met by SHARP, to make it 2-0 to the FPs. The visitors threw everything they had had in search of a goal, but a long range effort was pushed onto the post by Saunderson, who was alert enough to collect the rebound. The game was still end to end which was a testament to both teams fitness. The FPs then introduced Cowan and Wilson, for Ferrier and Dall who had gave their all.
      The game finished with a flurry but neither team were able to take their chances, and the FPs are now through to the last sixteen of the North of Tay Cup.

After another close call, the man of the match was awarded to Dale Riddell, who gave a great performance in a very good defensive unit
 
Team: Saunderson, Macintosh, Fenwick, Riddell, Humphreys, Sharpl, G.Smith, Ferrier, Mclaren, Michael Gall, Dall subs : Wilson, Cowan

Final score - AHSFP  2  v  Auchterarder Primrose 0