League: RJM Sports Scottish Amateur Cup
Menzieshill Rovers v Thorn Athletic
Thorn Athletic v Fallin AFC
FIVE alive Thorn Athletic spooked Stirlingshire cracks Fallin AFC with a four-goal second half blitz on Halloween.
And they ensured a sloppy first 45 didn’t come back to haunt them with some improved finishing.
With top scorer Jordan Devine rested to shake off an ankle injury there was just one change from the side that defeated Larkhall the week before with Smith restored to the line-up.
New signing Gary Wilson made his home debut at the McMaster Centre in Johnstone after the park had passed an early morning inspection.
And it didn’t take long for Thorn open the scoring when full-back McCann took advantage of a slack clearance to fire his shot through a pile of bodies into an empty net.
However, any thoughts that the visitors would collapse quickly disappeared as they managed a few decent attempts on the home goal.
Keeper Liam McWilliams produced a fine save moments before the break after a spell the visitors had the upper hand in.
After the break there was a more offensive look about Thorn and as a result they were rarely troubled at the back.
Both Smith and Michael McKinnon saw shots blocked from close range before the killer second goal finally arrived.
Smith took possession on the left and charged into the box before neatly chipping the keeper who had gone to ground.
The introduction of McGlone for injury-hit Johnny McEwan saw a quick-fire double of well-taken goals.
McKinnon found himself heading to the bye line after a progressive move down the left and his cutback saw McGlone unmarked to score.
With the introduction of Paul Young, Niall Kennedy and Horne came fresh impetus that saw Fallin stretched and running out of energy.
Soon after their arrivals McGlone was on target again after a threaded pass from Young allowed him to apply a cool finish.
The visitors were pretty deflated as Thorn kept kept possession for long periods as they probed for more goals.
And the scoring was wrapped up when Horne battled bravely in the box and saw a powerful deflected shot nestle in the net off the underside of the crossbar.
A few more half chances followed before the referee blew prematurely to bring proceedings to a close.
Manager Donnelly said: “First and foremost it was about getting into the next round against a team that were a bit of an unknown quantity for us.
“We never quite got going in the first half after an early goal so it was good to get a more convincing second-half performance from the boys.
“Everyone played their part and a third consecutive clean sheet was also welcome.
“We got all five substitutes on and there is real healthy competition in the squad – and they will all be needed over a long season.”
Next week Thorn return to league business when they host Cambria in the Caledonian League First Division at Johnstone Hub with a 3pm kick-off.
And they will find out their Scottish Cup fourth round opponents when the draw takes place at Hampden Park on Friday at 11am.
Team: L McWilliams, McCann (Callaghan), Wilson, Morrison (Young), Brown, Scott, McKinnon, Hay (Horne), Allen (Kennedy), Smith, McEwan (McGlone).
Fallin AFC
Cambria v Thorn Athletic
JORDAN DEVINE bagged a double to take his tally to ten goals in six games as Thorn Athletic booked their place in the Scottish Cup third round.
The Johnstone side comfortably disposed of Caledonian League rivals Cambria with a dominant display rounded off by a goal from Stuart Robertson to add to striker Devine’s brace.
The team now go into the hat for today’s (Wednesday, October 7) third round draw.
It was a strong-looking Thorn side that travelled to the immaculate Stepps Playing fields in Glasgow for the second time in three weeks.
The previous clash between the side’s had ended in Thorn coming from 3-1 behind to secure a 4-3 victory to keep them top of the table.
But there was to be no repeat of that scare as the visitors took a stranglehold on the game early on with some great football.
Some great build up play saw Dean Scott set up Devine to fire a right-foot shot across the keeper to settle any nerves.
Chances were coming thick and it was no surprise when Devine completely bamboozled the keeper with another low finish which sent him the wrong way.
Paul Young was next to have a go as he robbed the defender in the last third but with only the keeper to beat his finish was high and wide.
Devine had the ball in the net another couple of times only to be denied by the offside rule as Thorn searched for the crucial third goal.
As half-time approached Cambria finally tested the keeper Liam McWilliams with an angled shot which he blocked to safety.
That was a warning to Thorn that one goal would let their rivals right back into the tie.
The second half started in much the same way and a number of Thorn chances came and went without any joy.
Devine had numerous attempts and substitute Criag McGlone had a great opportunity to seal it with the goalkeeper caught outside the box.
But his finish was straight at the only defender who was blocking the path to goal.
Things were getting a bit nervy as the failure to finish the tie went on and on.
Cambria tested McWilliams again and a couple of cheap free-kicks around the box allowed them to put some pressure on.
Finally the crucial goal came after 75 minutes when strong hold-up play from McGlone at the front post of the Cambria goal saw him lay a ball back for sub Stuart Robertson to thunder home the third.
It was game over at that point as the visitors saw the game out comfortably without really threatening to add to their tally.
This week Thorn are back to league business when they welcome Balmore to the McMaster Sports Centre in Johnstone with a 2pm kick-off.
TEAM: L McWilliams; McCann, McKinnon, Morrison, Horne, Scott, Hay, Young (Robertson), Kennedy (McGlone), Smith (Allen), Devine.
