North of Scotland Amateur Cup Semi Final at Heathryfold on Sunday 24th April
Nicolls Amateurs will take on Kincorth in the final of the North of Scotland Amateur Cup after they defeated Echt 3-1 in their semi-final at Heathryfold on Sunday.
Nicolls broke the deadlock with the first real scoring opportunity of the game on eleven minutes when McNamara burst clear of the Echt defence and steered the ball over Garden.
The Denmore Park side almost extended their lead three minutes later when a fierce long-range volley from Ord looked to be heading for the top corner before it was turned behind by Garden.
Echt were finding it difficult to create any clear cut chances as they went in search of an equaliser and it was Nicolls who went further ahead on 28 minutes when Fleming chased down what initially appeared to be a lost cause but the striker managed to nip in between Garden and Cooper on the edge of the Echt box and rolled the ball home to put his side 2-0 in front.
Echt sought to reduce the leeway as the first half drew to a close and they were denied by the woodwork just before the interval when a curling effort from Daun struck the base of the post and Sharp cleared the ball to safety to preserve his side’s two goal advantage.
Half-time: 0 – 2
Echt halved the deficit nine minutes after the interval when Daun created some space on the right and fired in a dangerous low cross which was turned into his own net by Johnston.
The Premier Division side then had the chance to level the scores midway through the second period when Graham was brought down in the area but Smith’s driven spot kick cannoned back off Webster’s left hand post.
Nicolls were continuing to look lively going forward and they put the result beyond doubt with six minutes remaining when Ord took possession of the ball on the edge of the area and rounded a defender before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net to seal the victory.
Full Time: 1 – 3
Echt: C. Garden, S. Birse, M. Day, S. Cooper, S. Aberdein, A. Daun, K. Graham, M. McGillivray, P. Presslie, I. Leith, M. Smith. Subs: C. Mann, M. Swan, J. Roger, C. Yule, G. Ramsay.
Nicolls Amateurs: S. Webster, M. Johnston, A. McDonald, L. Sharp, S. Campbell, A. Storey, K. McNamara, M. Reid, C. Fleming, M. Ord, S. Birnie. Subs: P. O’Donnell, N. Stephen, G. Skene, D. Duncan, M. Murray.
Referee: I. Wright
