19s out of Scottish Cup

Posted on Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Our 19s took on SPL side St Johnstone in the Scottish Youth Cup second round at McDairmid Park today. The first half was a fairly even encounter with us settling into the game pretty well. Scott Ritchie came into the side at centre half and was solid for most of the half. Jordan Finnie and Callum Donnelly were playing well together in the middle of the park and our neat passing play was good to watch. James Cuthbertson was getting plenty of the ball down the right hand side and was creating problems for the Saints defence. The home side then had a fair bit of possession across the back four and managed to create a couple of half chances but nothing which seriously threatened the Spartans goal.

Half time: St Johnstone 0 Spartans 0.

The second half began in much the same light as the first with both sets of players sharing possession. However on the 58th minute mark the home side opened the scoring from a tidy Scott Gray finish and they didn’t look back from then on. A lack of concentration saw us concede three goals in ten minutes making the scoreline 4-0 to the home side. At this point in the game St Johnstone were well in control having large amounts of possession and creating a number of chances. A slack touch in the visiting defence saw Saints striker Chris Kane nip in and steal the ball 25 yards from goal, he then rounded Spartans keeper McTurk and slotted home goal number 5. St Johnstone finished strongly playing with confidence and notched a 6th goal with almost the last kick of the ball. Our boys can be pleased to have held their own against a full time SPL side for 58 minutes however their fitness and class showed in the closing 30 minutes of the game.

Full time: St Johnstone 6 Spartans 0

McTurk, Ford, Ritchie, Hawkins (Noble), Henderson, Hamilton, Finnie, Atkinson (Ford), Donnelly, Cuthbertson (S Veitch), Clark
Unused subs: Brown, C Veitch

Next up for the 19s is a home game to Edinburgh City in the league next Sunday.