Civil Service Strollers 0 Peterhead 3
Peterhead secured their place in the draw for tomorrow’s Fourth Round Draw of the Scottish Cup with a 3-0 win at Christie Gillies Park in Edinburgh over Lowland League Civil Service Strollers.
The Balmoor side had to be patient to get their noses in front against a host side who were reduced to ten men in the first half. After the break Russell McLean netted from the spot, Scott Brown, who missed a penalty in the opening 45 minutes, grabbed a second and substitute Lyall Cameron completed the scoring with a late third.
Blue Toon Manager Jim McInally was denied the services of Josh Mulligan due to illness with Andrew McCarthy returning in his absence after a ban with Hamish Ritchie starting after injury in place of Danny Strachan who was on the bench.
Civil Service started strongly as manager McInally predicted and forced a corner after four minutes. In the following minute they also had the game’s first chance when Scott Clapperton was given a glimpse of goal however his effort was blocked.
On 12 minutes McLean had Peterhead’s first attempt with a long-distance effort that rose and cleared the goal.
Ahead of the 20-minute mark the hosts Joao Balde tested Long with a couple of shots in quick succession with the Peterhead shot-stopper equal to the Portuguese winger’s efforts.
Long was also equal to a header from Alieau Faye following a corner midway through the opening half with visiting skipper Scott Brown going close with a drive shortly afterwards.
Balde was involved again on 28 minutes however this time it was not positive as he crunched into a challenge on Flynn Duffy and referee Chris Graham brandished a red card.
Peterhead looked to make the extra man count quickly with Scott Brown, Ritchie and Payne peppering the Strollers’ goal with shots.
Two minutes from the break it looked like the visitors would make their breakthrough from the penalty spot when Lewis Duffy fouled McLean. The usually reliable Scott Brown took responsibility for the kick however his effort was saved by Mac Whyte down to his right.
Peterhead were given a reminder four minutes into the second half that the tie was not won as Robbie Cole rattled a post with a shot with the ball rebounding straight into Long’s arms.
That scare was soon forgotten as the opening goal for the Blue Toon arrived on 54 minutes after they were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon. McLean was fouled by Whyte and the striker took responsibility from 12 yards and sent the ball to the left of the shot-stopper who had dived the other way.
Four minutes later and Peterhead had more than one foot in the next round with captain Brown making up for his penalty kick miss by drilling into the net from the edge of the box.
Ritchie came close to adding a quick fire third before Grant Savoury had a shot charged down with 20 minutes left.
Substitute Cameron fired over on 79 minutes however the on-loan Dundee youngster wrapped up the scoring in injury time from close range with McLean having a hand in creating the goal.
Peterhead –
Long, Wilson, Jason Brown, McDonald, Ritchie (Lyle 63), McCarthy, S Brown, Duffy, McLean, Savoury (Jordon Brown 88), Payne (Cameron 75)
Unused substitutes – Strachan, Wilson (G/k)