Youth Football

Scottish Cup 2002 Fifth Round

PRESTWICK CFC 4 ST ANDREW'S BC (Greenock) 4

St Andrew's win 7-6 after extra-time

JINGS, crivens and help ma boab what a pre-Christmas cracker was served up in this Scottish Cup last 16 tie played in Baltic conditions at The Oval in Prestwick.

The visitors finally ran out injury-time winners by the odd goal in 13 in a match that had everything and more.

St Andrews started quicker and scored an excellent free-kick opener in only two minute. Prestwick equalised after 16 minutes and the first half finished 1-1 in what was a physical contest resulting in three St Andrews bookings.

It wasn’t getting any warmer as the second half started but the action on the pitch was white hot. St Andrews again took the lead in 44 mins before another Prestwick equaliser in 54. Once again, St Andrews went ahead in 50 minutes and then added another in 71 to make it 4-2 and looking like game over.

Prestwick got back into it again at 43 before the most dramatic 93rd minute injury time equaliser, scored direct from a curling free-kick, sparking amazing scenes on the touchline.

Final score after regulation time was 4-4.

Into extra-time and once again St Andrews took the early lead with a controversial 81st minute penalty. Again Prestwick did not lie down and got levelled in 85 to make it 5-5. No one could predict how this one would finish, especially through the driving sleet and snow showers.

One more goal apiece to make it 6-6 as these two teams went head to head like ageing boxers clinging to the ropes through sheer exhaustion. The final action was the late St Andrews winner in 98 minutes to finally end this magical cup tie.

Prestwick head coach Stuart McColm said ‘it was emotional but we leave with our heads held high’ and Graham Black, St Andrews coach added: "It was nerve wracking and a great advert for local football. Shame there had to be a loser."

It was a Scottish Cup classic.