01/04/2016  |  Other Cup

Cumbernauld Colts   4  v  0  Caledonian Braves

The young Colts returned to Broadwood after there League Cup triumph to face the French students, Edusport Academy. They are a fulltime football team who live and study in Scotland whilst attaining educational qualifications and also seeking a route into the professional game in the United Kingdom.

Colts had to make two enforced changes to their line up with Pirrie suspended and O'Hagan ill and this allowed McGaraghan and Devine to return for the home tie of the two legged cup competition.

The Cumbernauld side started brightly and were quickly on the front foot and attacking their opponents who were defending the sports centre end at Broadwood. Not only had Edusport to deal with the Colts strikers but also a strong wind that was gusting in their direction.

Colts went close on a couple of occasions with McKay unlucky to see and effort float over the bar after he had burst away from the visitors defence on the 15th minute mark. The Colts didn't have to wait much longer to open their account and their pressure paid off when McGaraghan fired in a speculative shot from 25 Yards which the Edusport keeper fumbled and the ball found its way over the line despite the keepers desperate efforts to recover the situation.

Colts seemed to stall a little at this point and Edusport were unlucky when a good effort from the right midfielder struck the base of Kenny Giles post before the ball was scrambled to safety. Colts continued to pressure the game and in 37 minutes Flannigan put the youngsters two in front with a tremendous effort from 30 yards. The tall midfielder picked the ball up in the midfield area and strode forward before unleashing a powerful drive which crashed in off the underside of the bar giving the keeper no chance.

Half Time 2-1

Colts were first to emerge from the dressing room and faced into the strong wind. Determined not to let Edusport take advantage of the conditions they quickly retrieved the ball from centre and drove up the left wing where McKay was fouled by the French full back. The striker dusted himself down a slipped a smart free kick between two defenders to overlapping Fergus catching Edusport napping and the midfielder slid a lovely pass across the six yard line where McGaraghan was on hand to tap home to make it 3-0.

Edusport kept battling and again struck the woodwork midway through the second half. A good move on the right saw the Fenchmen stretch the Colts rearguard and when the ball was whipped over it found the striker who fired in an effort which Bateman somehow managed to deflect onto the post and out for a corner. This close shave spurred the Cumbernauld youngsters on and in 78 minutes a speculative freekick from Sheridan on the left eluded everybody in the box and much to the dismay of the Edusport keeper, found its way into the net.

With the game effectively over it was disappointing to see McKay red carded with 10 minutes to go. The striker who had performed well on the night, reacted badly to a French tackle and pushed his opponent in retaliation and left the referee with little choice other than give him his marching orders and the Colts finished the game with 10 men.

Full Time 3-2

Not the youngsters best display of the season but a healthy lead to take to Edinburgh for the second leg of the Challenge Cup. A night in which the conditions spoilt any real chance of good football getting played.