YFS
Hutchison Vale Colts travelled to St Andrews, as St Andrews Colts played host for this third round tie. Hutchison Vale had defeated Shotts YMCA and Fauldhouse Foxes to reach this stage. While, St Andrews had seen off Glenrothes Strollers and Luncarty.
The first chance had begun just seconds after the whistle was blown. Craig Begg skipped majestically through the Hutchison Vale defence and was unfortunate to see his shot glance the crossbar.
Vale looked dangerous in the early stages too. Lyall Constable had to be alert to hold onto a dangerous Kyle Hutchison cross.
It didn’t take long for the goal tallies to start to rise. Galloway charged down a lofted ball forward to prompt a break for Hutchison Vale. He then threaded a precise pass to Barr who was able to take the ball around Constable in their one on one and convert into the net.
Their advantage didn’t last long though. Scot Cunningham, from the edge of the box knocked the ball to Baldie who finished powerfully from a tight angle.
Both sides had done well to create and then take the chances they did in blustery conditions early on in a very balanced game.
It took a brave defensive header by Jay Peel to stop Begg advancing into a one on one with Cameron Bryce. Begg and the St Andrews bench thought they were ahead just moments later. He controlled a high ball to him in the six-yard box and turned and fired into the net but had fouled Bryce in the process.
But it was Vale who put themselves ahead. A throw from Hutchison to Barr, deep in the St Andrews half, allowed Barr to play a low and fast cross which evaded all but Elder who calmly slotted home from six yards.
A Grant Aitken corner almost brought parity. He whipped the ball in and it would have curled straight into the net if it was not for the fast reactions of Aidan Cross who headed off the line marvellously.
As the half entered its closing stages the gap widened. Hutchison provided the well timed pass to Barr who hammered the ball towards the opposite side of the goal for a two goal advantage at half time.
Two strong sides had contested the half with St Andrews unfortunate to have come up against a strong Hutchison Vale defence. While Hutchison Vale themselves could have had more were it not for several timely interventions by Dylan Syme and Lewis Cunningham.