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  • Tain Thistle 4 Contin 2

    A combination of first game nerves and less than favourable wind direction saw Tain Thistle get off to a stuttery start in the Union Tavern League Cup this weekend, battling to a 4-2 win over Contin to advance to the semi final.<br /><br />The manager had to cope with a number of absences for his first competitive game in charge, as the team played in their new red and white away strips for the first time.<br /><br /><img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/contin2015a.jpg"><br /><br />Michael Dunnett was first to fire a shot towards goal in the fourth minute with a cross come shot which appeared to rattle in off the top corner, but the ball collided between the upright and the crossbar and came back into play, leaving the touchline wondering if the ball had crossed the line. It was Contin who took the lead though, just four minutes later, as hesitance in the Jags defence allowed <b>Ryan Dow</b> to easily tap the ball home after it had been squared across the face of Daniel Cormack's goal.<br /><br />A goal down, Thistle took their time to get into any sort of stride and with twenty minutes gone, they could have been 2-0 down. As referee Michael Stainke was pacing out the yards between a free kick taker and the Jags' wall, the Contin men took their kick prematurely and found the net. The goal of course was disallowed - a let off for Thistle.<br /><br />Neither side were able to extend their lead throughout the remainder of the first half as the wind continued to play a factor. With five minutes of the first half remaining, Dunnett had perhaps the best chance as he again rattled the woodwork when his looping shot from the right wing landed on the crossbar.<br /><br />The second half started in better fashion for Tain, with the wind on their side, and they took just three minutes to equalise, <b>Neil MacDonald</b> rattling a thunderous shot over the top of Sean Beaton down the middle of the goal. With a goal under their belt, the Jags were playing with a renewed confidence and within six minutes they had taken the lead through <b>Liam Rostock</b> who expertly sent the ball home through an area of bodies.<br /><br />Messrs Neil MacDonald and Cameron Mackintosh both threatened to extend the lead as Contin struggled to contain, but it was left to <b>Liam Rostock</b> to extend the lead again, with a first time shot to better Beaton. At 3-1, Tain looked to have the win sewn up. A twist of fate handed Contin a lifeline when referee Michael Stainke (who later admitted a mistake in the award) adjudged that Keith Dingwall had fouled Cammy Houston inside the box, and <b>Fraser Heath</b> for Contin scored from the penalty spot.<br /><br />The threat of extra time was now looming as Contin threatened to equalise, and as legs began to tire and cramp set in, the Jags survived a couple of shaky moments. In the end, the win was wrapped up thanks to an excellent finish from <b>Martin Smith</b>, who, with one minute remaining, curled his effort to the back post past Beaton to make it 4-2 and the Tain Thistle touchline breathed a collective sigh of relief.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b> Cormack, A Christie, McGaw (Dingwall 65), MacGruer, MacDonald, Munro, Mackintosh, Rostock, Dunnett (Greenlees 82), D Christie, Mcdonald (Smith 76)<br /><br /><b>Subs not used:</b> Goller<br /><br /><b>Goals:</b> MacDonald 48, Rostock 54, 71, Smith 89<br /><br /><b>Bookings:</b> None

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