Scottish Cup Fifth Round at Montrose on Saturday 26th January

Report by Andy McLaren

Luthermuir striker Jai Clayton has no regrets about signing for the Kincardine club after making the switch from Sunday Welfare in the summer.

However, Clayton believes a lack of opportunities and facilities in the area prevented the strike ace from progressing to a higher level in football.

Clayton joined the Division One (East) champions from welfare side Black Abbot and admits he was “relieved” to make the move to amateur football.

He said: “I played in the Montrose Welfare League for two years and if anything, I found it too easy.

“Before joining Luthermuir, I had not properly trained in four years.

“The standard of amateur football in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is completely different, particularly the fitness of the players.

“There are barely any facilities in the south of Aberdeenshire and it definitely had an effect on me when I was growing up.

“Aberdeenshire needs more 3G pitches, otherwise players will fade away and not fulfill their potential.”

The Luthermuir hotshot has scored over twenty goals this season and is the leading goalscorer for the Kincardine outfit.

Clayton played for St Laurence before moving to junior side Montrose Roselea and is hoping his recent goalscoring form can help his side progress into the sixth round of the Scottish Cup.

“It’s great to still be in the cup and to be the only amateur side from AAFA to still be in the cup,” said Clayton.

“The main aim for this season is to stay in the Premier Division.

“If we stay in the Premier Division, it makes it easier to attract new players to the club and in a few years’ time, we may even win the league.

“Our concentration is still on the Scottish Cup and we can definitely make it through to the next round.”

Luthermuir manager Fred Robbie is delighted with the impact his new signings have made at the club.

He said: “The new signings we have made are starting to have a positive impact on the younger players at the club.

“Important players are starting to return from suspension and injuries so the future is definitely positive.

“Montrose FC have been very helpful by making their pitch available to play matches on and it would be great to see a 3G pitch installed at Laurencekirk.

“A variety of amateur teams from the Kincardine area are doing well in the leagues and this can only be positive for football in the area.

“I believe we can win in the cup replay in Ayrshire and we are certainly not going down to make up the numbers.”

Kilbirnie, who are third in Ayrshire’s First Division, were close to opening the scoring on 10 minutes when David Sanderson dragged his shot past the post after a low cross from Kevin Crawford.

The Ayrshire side continued to dominate possession and made it 1-0 on 15 minutes when Liam Hood bulleted a header into the net from 10 yards.

Backed by their travelling supporters who made the journey to Montrose, the Kincardine side started to feel at home and they almost equalised when Ryan Milne’s powerful drive was turned around the post by Craig Asbury on 25 minutes.

The hosts almost found themselves two goals down when James Paton’s fierce strike crashed against John Wand’s near post before being scrambled away.

Half-time: 0 – 1

While Kilbirnie were commanding and confident, Luthermuir stuttered.

They fell further behind on 50 minutes when Hood found the top corner of the net with a swerving shot from 30 yards after collecting a pass from Crawford.

The Kincardine side were handed a lifeline 10 minutes later when referee Chris Hudson awarded a penalty for an off the ball incident.

Summer signing Jai Clayton calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner of the net, despite Asbury’s best efforts.

Luthermuir were then gifted an equaliser on 70 minutes when Clayton’s seemingly harmless free-kick squirmed under Asbury and into the net.

The home side rallied and almost went ahead 5 minutes later when Murdoch Anderson’s looping shot cannoned against the cross-bar before Asbury pulled off an unbelievable save from Jai Clayton’s follow-up to keep the score level and to force a replay in Ayshire.

Full Time: 2 – 2