Burgh Vale 2 - 5 Cabrera Athletic

On a blustery windswept afternoon Cabrera were the visitors in this Ian McDonald cup tie against Burgh Vale at the Gyle.

This was to be the third meeting of the sides this season with the Cabrera lads hoping to continue their rich vein of form against the newly formed LEAFA side having emerged victorious from the previous two contests.

The match itself provided a welcome distraction from league duty for the Cabrera boys , with the race for promotion heating up a good cup run would put the onus on the other teams in the chase to take full points in their league fixtures and close the gap at the top.

A controversial team selection saw ‘The Tinkerman’, gaffer John Jamieson, opt for a 3-4-1-2 attacking formation and with the squad near enough back to full strength competition for places in the run-in will be as fierce as ever.
So the Cabrera stall had been set and on this not so glorious Grand National day there was to be no false start for the away side as they burst into attack straight from the kick-off using the pace of Wee Phil and John McLean Jnr on the flanks to carve out early chances for the strike partnership of Jason Wood and Gogs Falconer. However the pair failed to capitalise on these opportunities and the deadlock was maintained.

The Cabrera onslaught was however not to be denied and in the 10th minute they grabbed their opener in style. A pin-point pass from defence was touched on by Gogs into the path of the oncoming Willie Manson, revelling in his free role between the midfield and attack. He knocked the ball past the keeper, rushing out to close the angle, but with a first-touch like a tackle he rounded the keeper and looked to havespurned the chance taking it wide to the bye-line. To his credit however he caught the ball before it carried out of play and turned to rake a shot from the narrowest of angles in at the front post past the helpless covering defender.

Burgh Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 1

Cabrera, inspired by this opener, continued to push forward unwilling to settle on their lead and were soon rewarded with their second. More clever interplay between McGhie, Phil and Dave Lee on the left wing penetrated the Burgh defence and when the eventual cross from Phil was cleverly dummied by Manson the ball fell to Gaz Morrison who powered home an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box.

Burgh Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 2

With Cabrera now firmly in the driving seat Burgh changed their set-up pushing an extra man forward in an attempt to expose the 3-man Cabrera defence. This appeared to open up the game a bit and certainly kept the away defence on their toes while standing strong to the advances, with capitano Ross Allen looking particularly steady at the back.

Play bounced back and forward and bar a fine McLean Jnr strike that rattled the bar and a Burgh Vale effort that was tipped over the bar by Cabrera keeper Cooke neither team were able to create anything further before half-time.

Half Time: Burgh Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 2

With the weather closing in, the second half kicked off and no sooner had the heavens opened than Cabrera had added a third to their bounty. Having chased a loose ball down to the opposition’s corner, striker Wood appeared to be pursuing a lost cause, and when he cut inside the covering full-back a cross to Gogs at the back post seemed to be the only option available. However much to the surprise of the Burgh keeper and the amazement of his own team mates he unleashed a venomous drive from the tight angle straight into the top corner. Was this a cross that caught a helpful gust of wind or a moment of genius – we will never know - although no prizes for guessing what the boy Wood has to say!

Burgh Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 3

Confidence was now running high and Cabrera were moving the ball about with a flair that belied the awful conditions they were playing in. The fourth goal was the fruit of such a passing move. McGhie taking a threaded ball from John-Paul Jamieson and delightfully flicking it through the Burgh defence into the path of Gogs who fired home into the top corner leaving the Burgh keeper no chance once again.

Burgh Vale 0 – Cabrera Ath 4

With the game as good as over the Cabrera lads seemed to take the foot off the gas a bit, letting Burgh press forward seeking goals to restore some pride. They were rewarded in the 70th minute when a mix-up on the left flank let their striker through on goal and he slotted home leaving Cooke with no chance.

Burgh Vale 1 – Cabrera Ath 4

This goal seemed to buoy the Burgh players, in particular their sub who had proclaimed he was the new Ronaldinho before entering the game! Unfortunately this purple patch was to be short lived and Cabrera soon added their fifth, with McLean Jnr picking up a goal, more than deserved of the excellent shift he had put in on the right wing. His long range effort was a fine strike and was the icing on the cake in an excellent Cabrera performance.

Burgh Vale 1 – Cabrera Ath 5

However for those who thought the game was over and were already on their way back to seek the warmth of the pavilion there was to be more drama in the dying seconds. As is typical Cabrera a moment of madness descended once more, this week Ross Allen’s turn conceding a late penalty for an intentional hand ball in the box. Burgh slotted home the resulting penalty making the scoreline probably a little fairer given their efforts on the day.

Full time: Burgh Vale 2 – Cabrera Ath 5

Man of the Match – John McLean Jnr, great all round performance capped with an outstanding goal. Good to see the wee fella settling in. Yippee kai ay.

Muppet of the Match – Ross Allan, what were you thinking?!

As reported by John Paul Jamieson