Clachnacuddin make Nairn County pay the penalties to reach cup semi final
North of Scotland Cup quarter final
Nairn County 2
Clachnacuddin 2
(Clachnacuddin win 4-3 on penalties)
Nairn: Morrison (21) Kerr (53) Clachacuddin: Anderson (73) Bunce (78)
CLACHNACUDDIN knocked holders Nairn County out on penalties to reach the semi final of the North of Scotland Cup.
Nairn had a golden chance to take the lead after eight minutes when Andrew’s Greig cross found Gary Kerr in the six-yard box. But his close range header forced a great save from Joe Malin to keep the game goalless.
The two linked up well again as Greig’s ball into the box found Kerr in the six-yard box, but Malin again parried his shot away.
The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when Alan Pollock’ free kick found the head of Ali Morrison who was the first to the cross in the six yard box to nod into the net.
Nairn doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half when a long ball into the box found Kerr. He then beat his marker to fire a shot into the bottom left corner of the net from 12 yards.
Nairn pressed for a third goal and came close midway through the second half in a counter attack when Pollock’s powerful shot from the edge of the box forced a good save from Malin.
Clachnacuddin pulled one back with their first shot on target in the 72nd minute when James Anderson got his head on to the end of a cross unchallenged to nod home from eight yards out.
They then leveled five minutes later when Connor Bunce latched on to a shot from a cross from the right wing to fire a powerful effort from close range.
In the penalty shoot-out Clachnacuddin won 4-3 on penalties.
They will meet Inverness Athletic in the semi finals after they defeated Halkirk United 5-4 on penalties after the two teams were level 3-3 after normal time.
Quarter final results
Brora Rangers 1 Wick Academy 0
Forres Mechanics 1 Lossiemouth (1-3 penalties)
Inverness Athletic 3 Halkirk United 3 (5-4 on penalties)
Nairn County 2 Clachnacuddin 2 (3-4 on penalties)
