Macron Scottish Junior Cup Fifth Scottish Junior Cup Fifth Round

KELLO ROVERS 2
IRVINE MEADOW 1

NINE-man underdogs Kello Rovers pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent Scottish Junior Cup history when they sent heavyweights Meadow crashing to the canvas.

Quoted at 7-1 on to win the tie Meadow were floored by the indomitable spirit of their hosts imbued by boss Scott Clelland.

And there was a touch of irony that one of the architects of their downfall was former Kello boss and Meadow assistant John Quinn, who watched the North Ayrshire side and his inside knowledge obviously pinpointed their weaknesses.

Visiting striker Brendan Sharpe was tackled by Andy Struthers as he was about to pull the trigger outside the box in four minutes.

A shot from 10 yards by Eddie McTernan was blocked by a Kello defender two minutes later. However in nine minutes Rovers took a sensational lead as Mark Armour smashed a shot in off the post from 12 yards.

Then in 14 minutes a cross-cum shot from Robert Hampson was clutched by Paddy ‘Neil.
Kello were reduced to 10 men in 16 minutes when Robbie Crolley was given a straight red card for a rash challenge on Eddie McTernan.

Meadow spurned a decent chance in 21 minutes when Andy McLaughlin shot well wide from 20 yards.

Kello had another great opening in 24 minutes when Liam Fleming was left unmarked but shot high and well wide from 12 yards. Visiting player Reece Pearson was booked for a late challenge in 27 minutes.

Colin Spence sent a pass towards McLaughlin inside the box but home goalie Ryan Dunsmuir intercepted two minutes later. 

Meadow were hoping half-time hairdryer treatment from boss Brian McGinty would turn their fortunes around.

The hosts doubled their advantage in 47 minutes when Sean Bennie sent a 35-yard rocket soaring into the top corner of the net.

Mark McLennan sent a 20-yard free-kick wide for Meadow in 55 minutes.

Kello had claims for a penalty waved away, claiming for a handball on the line on the line five minutes later.

A fierce 25-yard shot from Darren Jones was saved by Dunsmuir in 71 minutes.

Kello were reduced to nine men in 80 minutes when Liam Fleming was 
sent off for a second booking.

However five minutes from time Jared Willet shot home from eight yards to reduce the deficit.

Two minutes later Meadow had what looked to be a legitimate goal chalked off when they headed home. But the best team won as they celebrated their best result in more than four decades.

KELLO ROVERS: Dunsmuir; Sean Bennie, Pagan, Struthers, Crolley, Weir, Hempson, Hill, Armour, Fleming, Johnson. Subs: Stuart Bennie, Blackwood, Copeland, Costello.

IRVINE MEADOW: O’Neil; Willet, Latta, Slooves, Gow, Pearson, Spence, McLennan, McLaughlin, McTernan, Sharpe. Subs: Jones, McGuire, McCrea, Woods.