Tranent 0 Forfar Athletic 1

Forfar Athletic travelled to Foresters Park Tranent for the third round tie of the Scottish Gas sponsored Scottish Cup, this being the first coming together of the two teams in any competition. For the Loons this was their 3rd game in 7 days and on the back of a midweek defeat away to Elgin but an important away win at Bonnyrigg just 7 days ago both in the League. Tranent who had put 7 past Lowland League leaders East Kilbride in the previous round of the cup had also won 5-0 away to to Lugar Boswell Thistle last Saturday so this promised to be a cracking cup tie with both teams looking to progress to the next round.

Tranent had the first chances in the opening minutes when Cameron Ross shot wide just after 2 minutes, Marc McCallum comfortably watched it go wide. Kallum Higginbotham tested the Loons keeper on 7 minutes with a neat wee header but McCallum was upto it saving down to the bottom right corner. After the initial opening 10 minute period the loons settled into the game more and Ryan Paterson had a chance on 13 minutes with a freekick after Euan Mutale was fouled. Paterson struck it well but it was agonisingly wide of the target. Moore and Brindlay linked up well with good passing down the left and forced a corner, although the corner was partially cleared, Loons captain Andy Munro managed to get a left footed shot from the edge of the box which was saved.

The Loons had a rather nervy moment or two as Tranent pushed for the opener in what was quite a scrappy opening 45 minutes. Twice they managed to whip in crosses across the face of goal with no one able to get the all important touch that it needed. However it was Matty Allan who almost gifted them the opener as a cross came in his wayward clearance lobbed McCallum but thankfully came off the crossbar and was scrambled clear much to the delight of the travelling support. Ryan Paterson had the visitors last chance of the first half but his shot was no more than a side footed pass back which the Tranent keeper easily dealt with.

Second half resumed with no changes and in similar fashion Tranent pushed for the opener, both Higginbotham and Ross had led the line well for the home team and caused the Loons defence problems all afternoon. Tranent had a big penalty shout early second half when Callum Moore attempted to clear the ball but his miscued clearance came off his foot and rolled up his body and onto arm, the referee correctly waved played on much to Tranents frustrations. Morrison and Whatley had put in a sterling performance in midfield all afternoon and it was Whatley who helped turn the game for the Loons on 68 minutes. Euan Mutale who again had covered every inch of the pitch upfront forced a corner, this was whipped in and flicked on by Whatley near post to Matty Allan who slotted his shot home from the centre of the box. The Loons were in front in a game that was clear for all to see, whoever scored first would go onto win !

Tranent made substitutions and pressed for the equaliser but the Athies stood strong and managed the game well. Marc McCallum looked solid in the Forfar goal and managed anything Tranent threw at him, Josh Skelly came on for Ryan Paterson in 77 minutes and Kieran Inglis replaced Euan Mutale late on but in the end the game fizzled out the Loons progressed to the next round of the Scottish Cup.

Full Time Tranent 0 - 1 Forfar Athletic.

Huge thanks to the travelling supporters who cheered the team onto victory.

Scottish Cup Fourth Round Draw – The draw for the fourth round, the stage at which the Premiership clubs enter the fray will be made live on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel this evening at approx 7.45p.m.