AHSFP's 3 Lowson United 2 AET

Ahsfp's hosted Forfar outfit Lowson United last Saturday in the first round of the Gray Trophy. Again manager Smith made a few changes to try and keep his squad as fresh as possible. Humphreys replaced Riddle at the back. Kidd replaced Lawson on the right wing. Sharp replaced Lees and started up front allowing Dall to move back into midfield.

 Fp's started this match the more aggresive. Their defence and midfield were winning every loose ball and began to press United back into their own box. Macintosh released Ferrier down the left who in turn passed inside to D.Smith who's first time flick was met on the run by G.Smith but he fired high over the bar from sixteen yards.

 Fp's continued to attack. A D.Smith corner to the back post was headed back across goal by Humphreys who found Sharp lurking but his header was also to high to find the target.

 United though finally buckled under the intense pressure. A quick throw by D.Smith found Ferrier and his low cross picked out RYAN KIDD who brilliantly turned his marker before firing into the bottom left hand corner.

 The remainder of the half was fought out in the midfield and both teams struggled to create any openings.

Half Time: AHSFP's 1 Lowson United 0

 After only ten minutes of the restart Fp's were dealt a major blow when Sharp was carried off with a torn hamstring which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season. Lees came on in his place up front.

 The game then descended into chaos with the referee completely losing the plot booking several players from both teams in a game where there were no rash challenges. Riddell, Humphreys, Dall and G.Smith all found themselves recieving yellow cards. With the referee now ruining the match as he awarded free kick after free kick neither team could get into any rythm and chances were few and far between. Assistant manager D.Smith Snr was then sent away from the pitch after voicing his opinion to the hapless official.

 With fifteen minutes remaining Fp's replaced the off form D.Smith with Lawson. The homesters created a couple of half chances but both Lees and Kidd missed the target. In the last minute the referee again awarded a soft free kick, this time to United. The kick was miss hit but caught Saunderson out as it came off the bar and a United forward shot home to take the tie into extra time.

After 90 minutes: AHSFP's 1 Lowson United 1

 Angererd by poor refereeing Fp's started extra time with all guns blazing. Kidds corner was headed goalwards by Ferrier but his effort was saved by a defenders hand on the goal line and even though it fell to Fenwick who hit the net, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The United defender was given his marching orders and KEVIN DALL stepped up and blasted the ball home almost taking the net off.

 Fp's were unlucky not to increase their lead with both Macintosh and Kidd hitting the post. Macintosh was then the next player to be booked by the official.

 The second half of extra time didn't start well for Fp's as the referee evened up the numbers by sending off Dall for a nothing tackle. United took advantage and scored an equaliser three minutes from time when their forward scored following a scramble in the Fp's box.

 To their credit Fp's didn't want to rely on a penalty shootout and got the winner a minute from time. G.Smith was pushed out on the left wing. Riddells free kick was cleared but only straight back to the same player. Riddells exquisite first time volleyed pass found Kidd down the line. He tormented his marker before picking out SEAN LEES in the box who controlled on his chest and volleyed home from ten yards to send the Fp's into the next round.

 The man of the match was voted by the players and the result was a joint award to Dale Riddell and Richie Fenwick for two solid displays at the heart of the defence.

Team:Saunderson, Riddell, Fenwick, Humphreys, G.Smith(c), Dall, D.Smith, Kidd, Macintosh, Ferrier, Sharp, Lees & Lawson.