Football: Battling Meadow have Killer touch.
Byline: JOHN FORRESTCOMEBACK kings Irvine Meadow had to battle back at Kilbirnie Ladeside to clinch a place in the Kerr & Smith Cup semi-finals.
Few gave Robert Reilly's men a hope as they trailed 2-0 at the break but they stormed back to snatch a 2-2 draw before clinching the tie in a penalty shoot-out.
Mark Tamburrini powered a left-foot rocket for the Kilbirnie opener and former Partick Thistle striker Moses Apiliga added a second, despite Meadow's efforts to clear the ball off the line.
Meadow hauled themselves level through Colin Ferguson and Maurice George and keeper Stephen Connick was the hero in the shoot-out when he denied Ian Blackburn.
Reilly said: "It says a lot about the team's fighting qualities and it's great to see Irvine Meadow back in a big semi-final again."
Meadow now host Kilwinning Rangers, who also had to come from behind to see off Largs Thistle in another shoot-out.
Gordon Smith gave Largs the lead but Buffs levelled through a disputed Tom Currie penalty right on half-time. There were no more goals after the break and Buffs went through 4-2 on penalties.
Holders Cumnock booked their place in the last four by crushing Hurlford 5-1.
Gary McRoberts gave Hurlford an early lead but goals from Paul Kerr, Davie Walker, Stevie McCulloch (2) and David Docherty made it an easy win for Cumnock.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men when Kerr and Andy Elliott were dismissed.
Cumnock now play Auchinleck, 2-1 winners over Craigmark.
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Sep 10, 2001 |
| Words: | 249 |
| Previous Article: | Football: BACKS TO THE FUTURE; Pain-free Ebbe brings hope. |
| Next Article: | Football: Good Kop. |