Hawick Waverley 4
Hawick United 2
SOUTH AMATEUR CUP THIRD ROUND
JOHN SLORANCE reports from Wilton Lodge Park
THE wind howled and the goals raged in during this South of Scotland Cup tie which also produced six bookings as well as a sending-off.
Although facing a strong swirling breeze, United made the early running, conjuring up some positive on-the-deck football, and during a sweeping attack were robbed of a goal by the woodwork. Following a passing move between Kevin Strathdee and Liam Lavery, Luke Shanley shrugged off three challenges in a mazy run before driving in a shot that cannoned off the upright.
Kevin Strathdee then put Waverley keeper Steven Walker to the test with a shot on meeting a Ryan Shepherd throw-in. Minutes later, United number one Kevin Miller did well to keep his goal intact, palming away a Ross Wallace free kick.
With 32 minutes gone, Waverley broke the deadlock when a Taylor Hope corner kick sailed into the net.
This was a bad blow for United, but three minutes later matters got worse for the Tangerines as Waverley increased their lead. Breaking into the penalty box, Jordan Yardley was brought down by Miller, who had come racing off his line, and Galashiels referee Raymond Hume immediately pointed to the spot. Dean McColm took the resultant penalty and made no mistake with a perfectly placed shot.
Towards the interval, Walker pulled off a fine save from Lavery following a David Strathdee free kick. After Lavery had came close to reducing the leeway in the opening stages of the second half, Waverley stretched their lead in the 56th minute with an excellent strike. Aiden Reilly swung over a cross from the right which Dean McColm volleyed home in style.
In the 65th minute Waverley did it all again. Reilly once more emerged the provider with another cross which was this time struck away by Ryan Stewart.
Although four goals down, United continued to battle and in the 77th minute pulled one back when substitute Michael Moir found the net with a superb header from a Kevin Strathdee cross. Four minutes from time, Kevin Strathdee got his name on the scoresheet, polishing off a solo run by tucking a shot out of the reach of Walker.
With seconds remaining United were reduced to 10 men due to the ordering off of Lavery for a second bookable offence.