Islavale miss out on Scottish Communities Cup shock as Sauchie Juniors edge penalty shoot-out while 2024 giantkillers Lossiemouth United lose to Fraserburgh United
A penalty shootout defeat prevented a major cup shock.
Islavale almost kept the flag flying for Moray and Banffshire clubs in the Scottish Communities Cup, while their neighbours all faltered.
The Keith side played host to a Sauchie Juniors side who demolished Highland League opposition in the senior Scottish Cup last season.
Sauchie hammered Strathspey Thistle 6-0 in Grantown a year ago before being edged out 2-0 by Buckie Thistle, and this weekend play Inverurie Locos looking to take another north scalp.
But they almost came a cropper at Simpson Park after a brave Vale effort in the former Scottish Junior Cup tourney.
The home side created several golden opportunities in the match, having three consecutive shots blocked during a surge early in the second half.
Sauchie hit back and some fine saves by Islavale goalkeeper Ryan Brindle kept the scoresheet blank.
Islavale sub Lawrence Ega had a chance to win it for his team in the 90th minute but the Sauchie keeper stuck out a leg to thwart his effort.
That took the tie to penalties, and an early Sauchie miss gave Vale the chance to cash in, but they too missed a kick and the shootout went into sudden death.
It became a marathon effort but Vale’s ninth penalty was saved, meaning Sauchie scraped through 8-7.
Last season’s giantkillers Lossiemouth United fell to a surprise result at the first time of asking.
The conquerors of Auchinleck Talbot 12 months ago couldn’t break down a Fraserburgh United side from the league below them, and lost 1-0 despite their Buchan hosts going down to ten men with 15 minutes left.
Forres Thistle put up a battling show against Broughty Athletic and looked like they might force penalties when Ben Ross lobbed home to make it 1-1 on 83 minutes.
However, two late goals and a red card to Thistle goalkeeper Rian Wilson saw the away side nick a 3-1 win.
There were some crushing defeats for North of Scotland League sides against stronger south opponents.
Burghead Thistle crashed 10-0 at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Whitehills lost 9-0 to Camelon.
Dufftown lost 5-0 at home to Rutherglen Glencairn and Deveronside lost 4-0 to a visiting Kilsyth Athletic side.