1-1 (Pavilion win on penalties)

Bathgate made the trip through to Edinburgh for a re-run of last year Semi Final in the President’s cup. This time it was a 3rd round tie in testing conditions with a depleted squad which proved in the end to be Bathgate’s downfall. The open period of the game was scrappy with only really Pavilion trying to play football the first 30mins was a non event. It actu…ally took for the referee to make his mark on the game with 2 soft red cards. The first red card of the game was for the Pavilion left back for a foul on Scott the tackle was mistimed but there was no malice involved the guy then stated to talk back the referee resulting in a booking before then not getting back 10 yards and was then dismissed. Although Pavilion where down to 10 men they were still the team trying to play football. 5 minutes later Bathgate were forced into a substitution Grant Peden telling the Breen he couldn’t be bothered the day on to the replace the guy in the mood Ryan Dubo Booth. Shortly after Bathgate were reduced to 10 men Bartley Beano McDonald frustration got the better of him and was sent off for foul and abusive language. It was the sending off that got Bathgate playing and took the lead Scott Running down the right and unleashing a shot which the keeper could only parry into the path of Booth and with his first touch he calmly knocked the ball into the net. Both teams then had a goal chopped off for offside before Kerr made a 1 of many fine saves to deny the striker.

The second half started much like the first half Bathgate struggling against the wind and Pavilion still looking to play the football. Pavilion where almost level but again Bathgate throwing bodies on the line before the ball was hacked clear. The goal was coming for the home side and 15 minutes into the 2nd half it came but it was Bathgate poor tackling this time lead to Goals 2 players leaving the ball for each other and the striker calmly slotted it past Kerr. Bathgate were out on their feet and it took some heroic defending to keep them on level terms the most notable tackle a McAlister block on the line which looked a certain goal. The last minute of normal time presented Bathgate with an unlikely chance to win the tie good football from Scott Clare and Gilbert which lead to the skipper being fouled on the edge of the area. Gilbert took the free kick himself beating the wall but was thwarted by an instinctive save from the Keeper.

Extra time was mostly played in the Bathgate half Pavilion were on top with the Bathgate bodies dying on their Feet and it took and unbelievable double stop from Kerr to keep Bathgate in the tie firstly the ball was played across the six yard box it appeared to be a certain goal only for Kerr to throw his body across the line to block the rebound then went to the edge of the area and the midfielder cracked a first time volley which was top corner all the way until Kerr got fingertips to touch the ball onto the bar. The referee then blowing for Full time and the lottery which is penalties decided Bathgate fate was again.
Bathgate got off to a brilliant start Kerr making a fine save then Gilbert putting Bathgate 1 up. Pavilion then scored there next. Bathgate 2nd Penalty was saved by the keeper McAlister this time missing but this could not take anything away from the defenders Man of the match performance. The miss was then followed up by Pavilion going 2-1 in the lead. Up next for Bathgate was Brown and it was another great save by the keeper. Bathgate were on the brink of going out but Kerr again pulling of another save. Up next was John Scott last year’s villain in the Scottish cup setting up to the plate again and crashing his penalty of the bar. Pavillion then scored there next penalty and won the tie 3-1 on spot Kicks.

Well done to the boys stepping up to take the penalties another day it could have gone our way