South Challenge Cup round-up: Dunipace and Bo'ness United both progress
Dunipace boss Danny Smith hailed his side’s character after they battled back from a “mad wee spell” against Burntisland Shipyard last Saturday.
The DCL Westfield team found themselves 2-1 down in Fife after taking the lead, but they managed to turn things around with Alan Docherty’s last-gasp winner sending them through to the third round of this season’s South Challenge Cup.
And that was relief for the Lowland League East newcomers, who have only enjoyed wins so far this term in cup competitions with a maiden fifth-tier victory still being hunted after five league fixtures.
Speaking to club media, Smith said after the 3-2 win: “Arguably on these days that is the most important thing, getting the job done and reaching the next round. We knew beforehand that it wouldn’t be any easy afternoon going up to Burntisland. They are sitting top of their league just now and they have some confidence about them. They are a young team who work incredibly hard.
“We started really well, got our lead, and then dominated how the game was being managed. It would have been helpful to get that second goal in the first half to make it a different sort of afternoon. Second half, we wanted to start strong but we had a wee mad spell where we conceded an equaliser.
“From that, Burntisland have turned the tie around but we regrouped at 2-1 down and showed a bit of character. Our confidence isn’t bursting at the moment so it would have been easy to roll over.”
Bo’ness United also secured progression to the third round last Saturday, winning 5-1 away to Pumpherston.
Stuart Hunter’s side won the tie in West Lothian in style thanks to a Kieran Mitchell hat-trick and goals by Tom Grant and Jackson Mylchreest.
The Newtown Park team now host high-flying Broxburn Athletic at home this Saturday on league duty.
Dunipace travel to fellow winless side University of Stirling for their fixture, with a win much-needed against the bottom club.
East Stirlingshire return from their two-week break with a home match against last season’s Lowland League champions Linlithgow Rose.
East of Scotland Premier Division side Camelon Juniors didn’t have a fixture.