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  • Thistle breeze into Cordiner Cup semi

    <img class="imgright" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/razzle10.jpg">Tain Thistle coasted past league rivals Balintore to secure a place in the Cordiner Cup semi finals today, with a comfortable 3-1 win at Seaboard Park.<br /><br />Missing a handful of players possessing Rockness tickets, Arron Christie brought Gary Austin, Andy Durrand and Calum Macdonald into the side, with Craig Nimmons and Davie Matheson also reclaiming bench spots, to form Thistle’s smallest match squad since their May trip to play the Sutor Inn.<br /><br />Starting for the second game running, Robbie Ross opened the scoring for Thistle, adding the final touch to a Calum Macdonald cross from 12 yards out, drilling the ball home. Ross could have doubled his account only three minutes later when his headed effort shot goalward, but could only connect with the crossbar.<br /><br />Thistle’s domination of their opposition was clear, as it had been in their league meeting weeks earlier, and before long Balintore’s failure to match their opponents saw two of their players in the book, first Gus Macdonald, and later David Wood for a dangerously high foot on Michael Brand.<br /><br />The Jags made it 2-0 on the hour mark, Macdonald this time the scorer as he brilliantly headed home a Darran Goller cross. <br /><br />Goller was replaced by Darren McGaw soon after and it was the substitute who should have made it 3-0; Andy Durrand’s clever play down the wing put McGaw through on goal, but the striker could only shoot over the bar. Within minutes, earlier scorer Macdonald saw his chance of a brace thwarted by Crombie, as his shot was tipped over the bar.<br /><br />The third and final goal for the visitors came on 85 minutes, when Ross scored his second. Liam Rostock crossed for the on-form forward, and from 12 yards, Ross drilled the ball into the far corner.<br /><br />A late injury time foul, committed by Gary Austin gave Balintore a consolation penalty which was converted by Mackenzie, leaving the score at 3-1.<br /><br />The win sets up yet another semi final clash between Invergordon Social Club and Tain Thistle, this time in Invergordon, as Social were granted a bye over the withdrawn Cromarty. <br /><br />In other action, Inver defeated Ross Club 4-2. The fate of the participants in the postponed tie between Alness and the Sutor Inn is expected to be decided tomorrow.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b><br />Martin, Durrand, Austin, A Christie, Dingwall, D Christie, Brand, Goller (McGaw), Rostock, Macdonald (Nimmons), Ross<br /><br /><b>Subs not used:</b><br />Matheson<br /><br /><b>Goals:</b><br />Ross 2, 85, Macdonald 61<br /><br /><b>Man of the Match:</b><br />Andy Durrand

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