15.10.2008 - County Cup Round 2 - Pumpherston United v Blackburn United
Pumpherston United came from a goal behind to win today's County Cup 2nd round match against Blackburn United at Recreation Park.
A quick start saw Blackburn drive down the near side touchline and into the 18 yard box before slotting the ball home with almost the first move of the game. Pumpherston picked themselves up and played well against a strong Blackburn team who dealt with any pumpherston moves toward goal, stifling the efforts of our forwards who could't find the back of the net despite their efforts and good periods of possession.
HT = Pumpherston 0-1 Blackburn
In the second half Blackburn again came out strongly and looked determined to add to their first half strike with a repeat of the same opening. They looked strong on the break mostly clearing from the box well into midfield and with some strong runs into midfield and further.
Pumpherston started to find space and were also moving the ball well. Passes were finding feet and the forwards were breaking well onto through balls. The passing paid off when Kye latched onto a well worked pass out of midfield. He collected the ball on the far side and drove towards goal, striking the ball past the Blackburn keeper.
Pumpherston defended well against any Blackburn surges with the Pumphy defence doing their own share of stifling any Blackburn attempts on goal. Mikey was unlucky not to find the home team's second when he connected with a good cross from the left only to see his flick come off the underside of the bar, and away from danger. Sean was next to come close but his effort from inside the box came back off the stanchion and was cleared.
Blackburn almost took the lead when a good string of passes saw their forward break through on goal, the shot almost squeezed in at a difficult height but Scott managed to put it out for a corner at the second attempt, the resultant corner being cleared.
Pumpherston clinched the game with a goal that won't be described as the tidiest ever scored, but they all count! The ball was floated into the crowded box and Sean brough it down well before stabbing it towards goal. The Blackburn goal keeper seemed to tangle with his own defender and the ball sneaked in at the bottom of the post.
FT = Pumpherston 2-1 Blackburn
Pumpherston United will play Livingston Hearts White in the quarter finals at Livingston Hearts' home ground of either the James Young High School or Craigswood Sports centre. Livingston Hearts White have reached the quarter finals by way of a 3-2 win in the first round at home to Shotts Victoria and a 3-1 away win over Mid Calder in round 2.