Scott’s stunner helps City knock out Shotts

Edinburgh City clinched a William Hill Scottish Cup second- round clash at Montrose by beating the Scottish Junior Cup winners, Shotts Bon Accord, 4-1 on the wide open spaces  of sun-kissed Meadowbank  Stadium.

The teams had met the previous Saturday at Hannah Park where City were fortunate to return to the Capital with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser from Paul Devlin.

However, City’s performance in this replay was of the highest calibre and after Ruaraidh Scott put City 2-0 ahead with probably one of the best goals ever scored at the Stadium, there was only going to be one winner.

“It was one of these moments when the ball sits up and you say to yourself: have a go,” smiled Scott of his left foot swerving volley form 25 yards. “The second I hit it I knew it was a goal. It was very Roberto Carlos-esque with the swerve and I was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net before I wheeled away to be mobbed by all the players. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Shotts and gave us a little boost for the remainder of the game.”

The game started tentatively for both sides until a left-foot shot from Kenny Ross was deflected for a corner in the 11th minute. Ross Guthrie fired over a terrific in-swinging flag kick and the ball sailed straight into the net – much to the amazement and enjoyment of his City  team-mates.

Shotts then enjoyed some excellent possession without unduly troubling the City defence until Tony Jaconelli was left with the simple task of nodding the ball into an empty net but headed wide from close range. Andrew Stobie in he City goal then tipped a net-bound volley from Tam Hanlon over the bar. A Colin Williamson shot was then cleared off the line by Scott as Shotts sought the equaliser.

The second half was only ten minutes old when Scott scored his ‘goal of the season’ then Kenny Ross hit the junction of the bar and post with a rising shot. With 12  minutes left City increased their advantage in a breakaway when Dougie Gair, who had given so much for the cause, somehow found the energy to advance into the Shotts penalty area and prod the ball into the far corner from 16 yards.

The icing was put on the cake seven minutes from time when Gair drilled a low free kick into the penalty box where Andy Howat had the simple task of nudging the ball over the line.

City conceded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time when Scott Clapperton handled the ball and Jaconelli converted to give Shotts a late consolation goal.

“I knew that Shotts were a really good team although I always felt that we could win,” said City’s manager, Gary Jardine.

“I think that is the first goal that Ruaraidh has scored with his feet and I also felt that  Andrew [Stobie] stood up to everything thrown at him and he had his best ever game for us. It was a good result for the players and the club generally.”

Tony McInally, the Shotts boss, said: “The better team won. We had no cutting edge and we did not ask enough questions of City. They  deservedly went through.”

Edinburgh City: Stobie, Dingwall  (Elliot 59), Scott, Bain, Fusco, Vanson, Torrance, Gair, R Ross (Howat 46), Guthrie (Clapperton 65), K Ross. Subs: Osbourne, Mackintosh.

Shotts Bon Accord: Murdoch, Finnigan, Goodall, Jaconelli, Walker (Wharton 73), Burns, Hanlon, Williamson, McKenzie, McLaughlin, Sideserf (Millar 73). Subs: Ferguson, Scott, Whelan.Referee: Steven Kirkland.