Bens In Third, Not Forth

Benburb progressed to the 3rd round of the D&D Programmes Cup after a hard fought victory over Forth Wanderers at Tinto Park today. Bens took the opportunity of a cup tie to make a few changes in their line-up but whether it was this or the visiting Forth side's eagerness to get started, the Tinto side suffered an early reversal after a few minutes when the Forth striker's effort found its way into the top corner, much to Quinn's despair. The in-form Max Asante brought things level on 10 minutes with a powerful header from a Waddell cross. The Bens' shaky start continued after twelve minutes when Quinn mistimed a clearance and conceded a corner. From the kick Bens were punished further with Forth restoring their lead. On a fine day for football, the game didn't really quicken its pace during the first half and by the interval many were surprised that only 45 minutes had elapsed. In the Bens dressing room however, they were relieved that they still had half the match to overcome the Forth lead. It was a more purposeful Bens side who took the field for the second half and they began to create a series of chances. On 50 minutes Wright produced a pacy long throw-in from the right side that found Max Asante four yards from goal but unbelievably the striker saw his header rebound off the bar. Waddell followed this up with a 20 yard bending shot that curled just outside the post. Howe found space on the right and flighted his cross onto the bar with the Forth keeper scrambling but it just wouldn't land for the Bens strikers and an away defender knocked it clear for a corner. With Bens already creating enough scoring chances to turn the match around, you could be forgiven for thinking it just wasn't their day. But belief was back on the agenda seconds later when Dewar headed in the corner to level the match at two apiece. Bens continued to push on in search of another and it came on 55 minutes when Richard Lovering looked as if he'd scuffed his shot but the keeper parried to the side giving him a second chance and he netted from a tight angle. Bens were in front for the first time in the match and required a brilliant one-handed save from Quinn on 74 minutes, from the Forth centre's header, to remain so. Waddell, got himself sent-off on 85 minutes for a second yellow card following a mistimed tackle as Bens faced a nervy end to the match but they kept possession while the seconds ticked down to the referee's final whistle. BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Dewar, McInnes, Wright, Lovering, Clark, Howe, Asante, Waddell, Mackenzie.