Scottish Junior Cup Second Round

WHITLETTS VICTORIA 1

JEANFIELD SWIFTS 2

INJURY-ravaged Vics gave it their best shot against East Superleague cracks Jeanfield Swifts but couldn’t overcome the Perth side who progressed to the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Manager Neil Duffy was forced to list himself as a substitute as Vics started without a recognised striker due to injuries to Craig Harvey and Darren Baird while new striker Graeme Barbour is cup tied.

In an open start, Vics had the first chance when Jordan Boyd broke clear but Swift keeper Matthew Curtis clawed the ball to safety. The Perth outfit’s first real opportunity came in 10 minutes. A cross from Anthony Holt into the six yard box picked out Rhys Davies but the striker volleyed wide of the target.

The visitors were doing most of the pressing and in 13 minutes took the lead. A neat cross from the right was laid into the path of Daniel Kelly whose volley bounced over the line.

Substitute Robbie Holden had a great chance when put through one-on-one but Steveie Douglas dived bravely to save at the striker's feet. It proved vital as in the 19th minute Vics were back on level terms. From a Sean Ewart cross from the left, keeper Curtis could only palm the ball into the path of Josh Sloan who drilled the ball high into the net.

Whitletts were having the better of the exchanges as both sides tried to master the strong winds but chances were few and far between as the sides went in level at the break.

Eight minutes into the second half the East Superleague side were back in front. A simple ball into the centre of defence found Keith Dewar unmarked and he placed the ball in at the post.

Louis Kerr had a great chance to equalise when he was left unmarked in the box only to be denied by the outstretched leg of Curtis. Kerr again had an opportunity but just failed to connect in front of goal with a whipped cross from Anderson as Vics searched for the equaliser.

As the game moved towards the final minute, Jordan Mullen almost snatched an equaliser as he headed a Louis Kerr corner just wide of the angle but they couldn’t quite muster the equaliser to force a replay.

WHITLETTS VICTORIA Douglas; Lawrie, Ewart, Mullen, Buchanan, Sloan, Anderson, I Kerr, Boyd (Milligan 78); L Kerr, Munyaradzi (Ogston 78). Sub (not used): Duffy

JEANFIELD SWIFTS: Curtis; Reid, Deans, Holt, Kelly, Fergus (Holden 15); Gunnion, Mollinson, Davies (Mills 69); Yates (McDermid 59); Dewar. Subs not used: Anton, Mills.