Fosters Central Scottish AFL Bunrigh League Cup Round 3 - 10/9/11

Brightons 2 Steins Thistle 1

Curwood, Stewart

Despite a depleted squad Brightons produced an excellent team performance to beat their local rivals and progress to the 1/4 final of the league cup.

The opening stages were fairly even before Brightons took the lead on 15 minutes. George Robinson was brought down 25 yards from goal and with the wind behind him up stepped Ross Curwood to hit the free kick that nicked off a Steins head and under the body of the keeper. Brightons should have doubled their lead soon after, Robinson broke clear down the right and his cut back found Ross Fox who's shot was saved with Cameron MacVicar putting the re-bound over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Steins were then to draw level as the pacey wide player got in behind the defence and beat Joe Lavery to a through ball that just crossed the line before Neil Porteous could get back to clear. The visitors were then awarded a penalty when Doctor Andrew Stewart was penalised for shirt pulling following a corner and although the spot kick was scored, the referee correctly ordered a re-take for encroachment. With the taker going for the other corner this time it was Lavery who came up trumps for Brightons with a great save.

Brightons were dealt a blow when Michael Wallace had to be replaced by Tony Brown who was the only fully fit substitute on the bench but a change in formation settled the Tons. They created a few decent chances before the break when MacVicar crossed to the back post but Stewart could only hit the side netting, Porteous some how missed a free header from a Fox free kick and Robinson headed straight into the keeper's hands from 6 yards.

Lavery had to be on his toes with a smart save from an angled drive early in the 2nd half as Steins pushed for an equaliser and at the other end the visiting keeper made 2 good saves from long range efforts from Fox and MacVicar. Brightons then took the lead after some excellent close control and wing wizardry from Harry Williamson down the left, he fed the ball inside to Fox and this time the keeper couldn't hold his well hit effort allowing Stewart to nip in and score from close range.

Steins then pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser but for all the pace in attack they lacked ideas in the final 3rd and their end product was poor and rarely threatened Lavery's goal. The visitors misery was complete when they were reduced to 10 men late on for a last man tackle on T Brown and it was Brightons who could have added to the score line with a few late chances.

Team

Lavery, Curwood, L Brown, MacMillan, Porteous, Fox, M Wallace (T Brown), MacVicar, Williamson, Robinson, Stewart (Craig)

Subs not used - Forbes

Brightons MOM - Ross Fox

Fosters Central Scottish AFL Bunrigh League Cup - 27/8/11

Drumchapel 0 Brightons 1

Curwood

After a mixed start in the league with 2 wins and 2 defeats Brightons travelled to take on Drumchapel in the league cup. It was a fairly even start to the game played on a perfect surface before Brightons took the lead on 20 minutes. The lively George Robinson won a free kick 22 yards from goal and up stepped Ross Curwood to curl one round the wall and into the bottom corner.

Brightons passed up several good chances to extend their lead although Curwood was unlucky to see another excellent free kick come back off the inside of the post. The home team then started to find time and space and the midfielder twice tried his luck from 25 yards with 2 wonder strikes that looked destined for the top corner until Joe Lavery leap into action to turn them over the bar.

The home team continued to press after the break but couldn't find a way past Lavery who's handling was excellent all day and he again denied Drumchapel with 2 more first class saves. Brightons also had chances at the other end but the home keeper was in equally good form producing a fine stop from Andrew Stewart's angled drive and also turning Tony Brown's effort round the post. Drumchapel had one last chance near the end to take the tie to extra time but Curwood was on hand to make a good block.

Team

Lavery, Curwood, O'Brien, MacMillan, Porteous, Fox, Stewart, C Wallace, Williamson (T Brown), Robinson (MacVicar), L Brown

Subs not used - Cruse, Napoli and Forbes

Brightons MOM - Joe Lavery