LONGSIDE had Wishaw Juniors as visitors on Saturday in the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup. Both teams found it hard to create chances in the early stages.
The visitors opened the scoring in 14 minutes when a wicked free kick from Bell went into the net off Herbie Craik for an own goal.
Wishaw were lifted by this and Bell put across a corner which caused a bit of panic before they eventually got the ba
ll clear. Longside had a good chance in 22 minutes when a Craik free kick found Wheeler and he headed it across goal but just it was just too high for Cardno.
At the other end Wishaw were awarded another free kick in a dangerous position but this time Bell fired it high over the bar. Longside were coming more into the game and a quick free kick to Reid saw him play it across goal to Cardno whose shot was blocked before being cleared as far as Wheeler but his effort went over the bar.
The home side drew level in 29 minutes when Black was upended in the Wishaw box, Davidson's penalty kick was saved by Young but Ross Anderson rifled home the rebound from 20 yards.
Murray got the ball for Longside on the left but his cross was cleared upfield. Just before half time a high ball into the middle from Noble was headed wide by Burns. In the 51st minute a Bell corner for Wishaw was headed clear by Brown before Noble got to the rebound and fired it over the bar.
Wishaw regained the lead in 54 minutes when a quick free kick from Ralston caught Longside off guard and James Coffey was there to head the ball past Thomson.
A minute later Anderson did well to create space on the left and sent over a great cross for Wheeler but his header went wide.
Longside equalised again in the 64th minute when a high ball into the middle saw Davidson go up bravely to challenge Wishaw keeper Noble and the ball and Ross Cardno was first to react and stab the ball home.
Noble earned a corner for Wishaw, Bell took it and sent over a superb cross but found no takers.
The visitors were reduced to ten men in 74 minutes when McAloon was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Anderson. Longside player Anderson limped off minutes later to be replaced by Wood. Longside took the lead in 79 minutes when a Reid free kick was headed powerfully into the net by Herbie Craik from eight yards.
Murray raced onto a Wheeler pass but his shot went over the bar. The visitors had a lot of pressure in the closing minutes but held out for the win.
This was a spirited performance from Longside who again showed what they are made of coming from behind twice and win against a quality side.
Longside's next game is on Saturday at home to Banks O'Dee in the Superleague (kick off, 2.30pm).
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