Docherty strikes again as Cartha stun 'Muir

A MAN with a great cup pedigree masterminded Cartha Queens Park's shock Scottish Hydro Premier Cup victory over Boroughmuir on Tuesday evening and he is looking forward to hopefully taking the Dumbreck outfit further in the competition.

Head coach Chris Docherty lifted the cup as a player with Glasgow Hawks twice and he was on the sidelines in Glasgow for Cartha's rearranged round-one tie with the Premiership Division One side earlier in the week.

Boroughmuir were only confirmed as opponents in the first-round proper clash in Glasgow after Kirkcaldy were expelled from the tournament for failing to fulfil their preliminary-round match.

Boroughmuir were Scottish league champions as recently as 2008 and have a hat-trick of cup triumphs to their name in 2000, 2001 and 2005. The Meggetland side have not enjoyed a vintage year in the top flight this term, but Cartha themselves have not had the best time of things lately and currently sit tenth in Premier Three.

As a result not many pundits gave them a chance of progressing to round two, but they did just that with a 27-15 victory, Ross Gillies (2) and Graham Williamson bagging tries to stun the Edinburgh side.

Docherty's men now face fellow Premier Three outfit Perthshire for a place in the last eight on Saturday and the head coach said: "I was delighted with the level of performance against Boroughmuir, especially when you think that we lost heavily (45-18] at Musselburgh just four days before the match and the fact that Boroughmuir play two divisions above us.

"I think we caught them out early with our quick start and being able to build up a 19-0 lead at the break meant that we could soak up the pressure they threw at us and try and see the match out. Our defence really was superb in the second period, credit to the team."

The result drew comparisons with Cartha's win over the same opponents in the cup back in 2006. That year, under the stewardship of now Ayr coach Kenny Murray, they came within seconds of Murrayfield before losing to Watsonians in the last four.

"I wasn't at the club then, but I have heard a lot about it and it would be great if we can progress further and give the members something to smile about, but we won't be looking past Perthshire this weekend because we have a tendency to blow hot and cold," Docherty said.

Meanwhile, after their cup exit, Boroughmuir are now set to face relegation rivals Watsonians in a crucial Premier One match this weekend.

The playing of this match has not been confirmed as yet, with Meggetland unavailable for most of Saturday due to the Scotland v England women's international taking precedence. A decision is expected today.