IN front of a huge and vociferous travelling support, Inverurie Locos,for the second year in a row achieved Fourth Round status in the national competition with a battling display to overcome South of Scotland non-league side Threave Rovers.
A go
al in each half ensured Locos made it, although a late goal from the home side had threatened to force a replay.
Locos were ahead in only six minutes when Richie Singer flighted in a near perfect corner from the right which was met by the head of right back Steven Park to head convincingly past keeper Vinnie Parker.
There were chances at both ends with Threave coming close when Andy Donnely attempted to get on the end of a Mark Nicol cross but saw the ball go the wrong side of the upright. The visitors though dominated large parts of the game and when striker Neil Gauld found space to run through amid claims of offside a good last ditch save was made by keeper Parker at the edge of his 18 yard box.
On the half hour mark Singer and Park attempted their goal scoring act from another corner kick but this time Park could not find the target and headed over the top. Two minutes later Gauld had another great chance from a Singer cross but hit his volley high from ten yards out. Rovers were being torn apart at times especially down the right.
Five minutes before the break Threave had what looked a fairly strong case for a penalty turned down when Donnelly appeared to be upended by Mo Morrison in the box but the ref felt differently and waved play on.
As half time approached Singer saw his attempt on goal sail high over the bar while a minute later Andy Reid had to be alert to parry a Wilby free kick round his post.
Seven minutes after the restart though Inverurie should have doubled their score but for some very good defensive work in a goalmouth onslaught.
For the second week in a row inspirational central defender Michael Morrison got a vital goal but this time it inspired a win. Singer's volley was deflected to the feet of Morrison who ran on to pick his spot past an advancing Parker in the Threave goal.
That last gasp goal for the home side was too late. Sub Jamie Struthers found himself between a defender and Andy Reid to bundle the ball into the net from a ball over the top.
Sub Ardi Dshansouzi found himself one on one with Vinnie Parker with the Threave keeper pulling off yet another superb stop at the feet of the Inverurie player for what proved to be the last action of the match. It had been a very good and exciting match and a good advert for football at this level in Scotland.
Threave Rovers: Parker, Wilby, Kerr, Patterson, Fingland, Baty, Green, Dunglinson (Irons 36), Donnely, Nichol (Struthers 74), Warren. Subs not used: Krausse, Kegan, Shanks.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, Park, Buchan, Wilson, Morrison, Merriman, Singer (Djahansovzi), Davidson (McLean 52), Gauld (Broadhurst 68), Ross, Bisset. Subs not used: McKinnon, Ainslie.
Of the three Highland League sides on the road Locos had by far the longest journey but came away from a potential Castle Douglas banana skin with the odd goal in three success.
The Locos party had set off at 4pm on Friday not getting back to Inverurie until well after midnight but it was a relieved Dave Cormie who reflected with pleasure on Sunday lunchtime: "It was going to be sticky because they're a good team, they had a good penalty shout but really I'm disappointed we were only one ahead through Steven Park at the break. Over the 90 minutes the best team won.
"The goal was a good set piece and I have to praise Steven for getting forward on other occasions too but defensively he and Dave Merriman in particular were immense, Sam Warren was their dangerman and was contained.
"The second was a great finish again by Mo Morrison for the second week running, he's clear of his injury now but still working towards full fitness so it's disappointing he'll miss the Keith game through suspension.
"The back four and Andy Reid had to be attentive, I think we must have defended about 14 corners but I was pleased the reports we had matched what we saw. We worked to our strengths. Tommy Wilson and Ritchie Singer getting on the ball and creating chances. On this occasion forwards Neil Gauld and Craig Ross didn't take them. Their midfield was their strength.
"It's been a tiring weekend but well worth it. I thank the Board for getting us put up overnight, success wise difficult to judge compared to going down the same day but I think the result justifies it."
