The Nicolson senior
boys football team won through to the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup with a hard
fought 3-2 win over Culloden Academy on Monday. Goals from Colin Maclean and Gordon
Maclennan along with an own goal had the Islanders 3-1 up. However a late goal from
the home team led to a nervous final few minutes, culminating in a miracle
double save by Jack Maclennan to see the boys over the line.
On a dreich Monday
morning the Nicolson boys lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. The team had never
played together previously and, despite having a strong, skillful look to it we
could only hope they would gel quickly.From the first whistle it quickly became evident that it would be an open game as chances came and went at regular intervals. The first chance fell to Colin Maclean who shot tamely at the keeper after being set up by Gordon. Culloden hit back and some good play down the left ended with the ball being squared to the centre forward, who knocked the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Colin had another great chance after being sent through by the Nicolson captain Micheil R Smith; He reached the ball before the keeper and knocked it goalwards but a covering defender cleared the ball to safety. At this stage the Nicolson were the better team and a chance fell to Gordon who blasted a volley over the bar after a good chipped pass by Innes Iain Morrison. Jason Guilmartin was next to threaten as he cut inside his marker and was on the verge of shooting when his standing leg gave way and he slipped, his shot flew wide. Finn Rush-Taylor’s wicked left foot deliveries were also posing the Culloden defence problems and one of them had to be cleared off the line.
As is always the case when chances come and go, you begin to think it may be “one of these days” and this feeling intensified when a slack pass in midfield was seized upon by a Culloden midfielder who’s through ball was measured to perfection between Chris Dempster and Craig Macleod. The centre forward powered through before showing a touch of finesse by chipping over Jack as he came out. The goal seemed to galvanise Culloden and they quickly went for the jugular. Jason had to clear a header off the line following a corner and Jack could only watch as another shot thudded against the crossbar - the Nicolson needed half time.
Thankfully it came without further incident and with it a change of positions with Gordon and Innes Iain switching roles. The move didn’t pay off initially as Culloden continued to play the better football as they penned the Nicolson in their own half. The equaliser came against the run of play as Calum Vann strode forward from full back and curled an inviting ball round the back of the Culloden defence were Colin stooped to head past the onrushing keeper 1-1.
The Nicolson now had their tails up and 5 mins later Gordon broke free from midfield and showed great composure to curl the ball past the keeper a’ la Thierry Henry from the inside left position. At this point Micheil was starting to run the midfield and it was looking good for the boys. Andrew Macmillan was working hard down the right and had a good chance following another fine move, unfortunately his shot was blocked. Minutes later Micheil slipped the ball to Colin who’s cross was flicked goalwards by Innes Iain. The ball then hit the goalkeeper and rebounded back off a retreating defender and in to the goal - anguish for Culloden but delirium for the Leodhasachs.
Any thoughts of coasting to the end would soon be extinguished however when Culloden clawed one back from a back post header following a corner. The Nicolson tried to freshen things up, Kevin Flower replacing Jason and Cameron Macarthur replacing the battle-weary Craig. With 8 mins left a cross from the Culloden right was headed goalwards and only an excellent flying save from Jack kept it out. It was going be a long few minutes!
Calum Morrison replaced Finn at this stage but it was Jack who was to be centre stage with a miraculous double save in the final minute. A scramble in the box, a right foot shoot, a flying save, a deflection, time stood still, a shot, another flying save- incredible. Even Mr Macphee was stressed out as the final whistle blew. Well done boys. Next up is Meldrum Academy at home.
