Match Report

Annan failed to reach the fourth round of the Scottish Cup after Edinburgh City strolled to a 3 goal lead in an 8 minute burst mid way through the first half to give City a glorious start, from here on in Annan were left chasing the match.

Annan managed to pull a goal back just after the break only for City to romp into a 4-1 lead 60 seconds later. Annan put real pressure on the home team for the majority of the second half and they managed to pull it back to 4-3 with 10 minutes remaining but despite some resolute defending by City Annan failed to grab the eqauliser that would have forced a replay.

Annan boss Peter Murphy dropped Ayton Sonkur to the bench to make way for Matty Douglas in a re arranged defence and Tommy Muir was given the starting berth up front in place of Christain Nade.

City playing with the elements in their favor in the opening half started with Annan under pressure but looking comfortable until the 21st minute when Blair Henderson headed City ahead when he rose above Swinglehurst to get enough on the ball to guide it over arms of Chris Smith. It was the start of  a shocking 7 minute spell when Annan all but lost the game. 3 minutes later Henderson done it again when following a corner Annan got exposed when Henderson headed into the net following a corner from the left. Annan looked shell shocked but more agony was to follow when 4 minutes later Jonny Court run on to a through ball played right down the centre of the Annan defence to finish with a clinical shot into the corner of the net. City were running Annan ragged and minutes later Blair Henderson was unlucky not to grab a hat trick when his well intended lob went narrowly over the bar.

Annan introduced Ayrton Sonkur for Kyle Bradley in the 32nd minute in an effort to stop the flow to Blair Henderson, This move appeared to settle Annan and it took a brilliant save from Aidan Macadams to deny Swinglehurst who’s header was heading for the top corner of the net until the City keeper punched the effort clear.

The second half saw Annan playing with the elements in their favour and in the 49th minute Nathan Flanagan floated a dangerous cross form the right which deceived the City defence and keeper Aidan Macadams to pull a goal back for Annan. City however increased their lead 60 seconds later when Alex Harris finished a move down the left with a low  shot into the corner of the net. It was a set back to  Annan as the goal appeared to come from an offside location which saw keeper Chris Smith get a yellow card for getting a point over to the linesman.

Annan brought on Niyah Joseph for Darren Barr in an effort to give Annan more of a threat up front and in the 71st minute Annan pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Nathan Flanagan was upended going in on goal, Tommy Muir converted the spot kick and the momentum of the match swung in favor of the visitors.

Muir came close in the 75th minute when his effort from the edge of the box beat Macadam’s but went narrowly over the bar. Then in the 80th minute Annan reduced the deficit to one goal when Nathan Flanagan connected with a Scott McLean cross to prod the ball over the line.

City were now holding on as Annan went all out to grab the equaliser, the City goal somehow survived a couple of anxious moments as Annan peppered the City goal but it was all to no avail as City held on and Annan crashed out of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

EDINBURGH CITY- Aidan Macadams, Conrad Balatoni, Marc Laird, Liam Brown, Blair Henderson, Danny Handling ( Allan Smith 87 min ), Aidan Wilson, Callum Crane, Chris Kane, Jonny Court (Scott Shepherd 71 min), Alex Harris (Liam Henderson 78 min ), SUBS NOT USED- Dean Beveridge , Jordan Sinclair, KeiranStewart, Sam Newman.

ANNAN ATHLETIC- Chris Smith, Matthew Douglas, Jamie Ballantyne, Kyle Bradley ( Ayrton Sonkur 32 min ) , Darren Barr ( Niyah Joseph 65 min ), Steven Swinglehurst,  Scott McLean, Kyle Wilkie, Tommy Muir, Broque Watson ( Christain Nade 76 min ) ,  Nathan Flanagan . SUBS NOT USED- Lyle Avci, Russell Currie, Jordan Holt, Lewis McLear.

It was a day of shocks in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup as the gap between the league teams and the non league teams gets narrower with only 2 SPFL 2 teams left in the competition after Queens Park joined Edinburgh City after pulling off a major shock at Palmerston Park to defeat Queens 2-1. Montrose crashed out of the cup going down 2-1 to East if Scotland side Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, Brora Rangers managed a 1-1 draw against Morton who now face the Journey North for the replay, Auchinleck Talbot and Arbroath fought out a 1-1 draw with the Ayrshire side conceding a late penalty to earn Arbroath a replay , BSC defeated East Fife in a major shock at Methilwith the Lowland League side grabbing a 91st minute winner in a 4-3 win for the Glasgow team. East of Scotland league side PenicuikAthletic were defeated by a first minute goal against Partick Thistle who held on against the East if Scotland League side.

Next Saturday Annan Athletic are back on league duty when they entertain league favorites Cove Rangers at Galabank kick off 3-00pm. It will be a real test for Annan against the side who comprehensively beat Annan 3-0  at Aberdeen earlier in the season.