27/09/2015  |  Scottish Cup

Cumbernauld Colts   3  v  0  Glasgow University

In a season of historic firsts this was perhaps the most symbolic to date and certainly a proud day for those working hard behind the scenes to make the Colts a Senior side. In the clubs first ever Senior Scottish Cup tie they welcomed Glasgow University to Broadwood on a fine autumn afternoon, the men in yellow and blue looking to make the most of the occasion and put themselves in the hat for Round 2.

Having come from two goals down in the second half last week, nearly managing to grab all three points, the home side started with the team that finished that game. That meant a couple of changes in the starting lineup. At the back Oliver started centrally with Duncan on the right, meaning Benton dropping to the bench. Up top Black replaced the unavailable Selkirk.

The Colts started the game well, moving the ball and despite an early break which led to a Glasgow corner enjoying the lion's share of the possession in the opening stages.

As the game settled Broadfoot was first to force either keeper into a save, a rasping half volley from 25 yards with his left stinging the palms of the Uni keeper. Though early in the game it was to be a sign of things to come for the stopper, who made a string of fine saves throughout.

Skipper Andy Ward and winger Alex Tilley (click to enlarge)

Black, O'Neill and Barclay saw efforts fly over or wide of the target before Tilley drew a comfortable save from the Glasgow keeper, but the Colts pressure would tell just beyond the twenty minute mark as they took the lead from a corner. Broadfoot swung in a superb ball from the right, Oliver running onto it and volleying powerfully with his right from 8 yards, the keeper despite getting a touch helpless to keep it out.

1-0 to the home side and Oliver delighted to make a little bit of history of his own by scoring the first ever Scottish Cup goal for the club.

Despite being in the ascendency in the game and having taken the lead it was to be a frustrating end to the half for the home side. Enjoying plenty of the ball they continually found themselves in good positions high up the field, particularly in the wide areas, their final ball the main obstacle to extending the led in a game they were dominating.

And they were nearly made to pay as Oliver lost out on the left, the away forward racing through on goal. To his credit though Oliver, who had a fine game, worked superbly to get back, as did his central defensive partner Ward, forcing the attacker into an early shot from a tight angle which sailed over the top, George in goal untroubled.

Black, Ballantyne and Broadfoot all saw efforts on goal blocked before O'Neill suffered the same fate after he latched onto a Crossfield pass from the impressive Kirwan, cutting inside to shoot with his left.

Oliver scores the first and Broadfoot the third from a free kick (click to enlarge)

The Colts though should have been celebrating a two goal lead moments later as fine interplay between Broadfoot and Duncan released O'Neill inside the area, his high centre taking out defence and Keeper and finding Barclay unmarked 6 yards out. The big midfielder though couldn't sort his feet out and lifted the ball over the bar first time on the volley when it looked a certain goal.

1-0 at half time, George in the home goal a virtual spectator for most of the half as the home side took control of the tie.

Into the second half and the game followed much the same pattern with the hosts dominating the ball. There was though an early half chance for the visitors which ended up in the ball being lifted over the bar from 18 yards following some decent play down the left.

The Colts though continued to press, O'Neill and Tilley both forcing decent saves from the Glasgow keeper before Duncan stormed forward from right back to take a pass from Black and drill inches past the post with his right from 12 yards.

On the left Kirwan had caused problems all day with his pace and power and the fullback nearly added a spectacular second, latching onto a loose ball centrally before lifting over the head of a defender with his right and firing a volley with his left towards goal which sailed narrowly over. The fullback was then involved in the move which led to a home penalty, Barclay wiped out by the keeper at the back post as he won a header back into the centre of goal.

Jamie Barclay and Jonathan Black in action (click to enlarge)

Oliver, generally reliable from the spot, saw his kick saved well by the keeper with Broadfoot first to the rebound, the defence smuggling away his centre.

O'Neill was replaced by Munn after 65 minutes, Broadfoot moving to a central striking role and Black moving to the right and it almost paid immediate dividends. Broadfoot took a pass from Kirwan, turned his man and unleashed a powerful strike from 30 yards which smashed off the crossbar with the keeper helpless.

A second was coming though and when it did it was a first for the club for Tilley, moving in from the left and linking with Broadfoot before firing at goal with his right, a slight deflection taking it away from the keeper and into the corner.

And it was quickly three for the home side, Broadfoot grabbing the goal his performance deserved as he curled a free kick around the wall from 20 yards and into the bottom corner.

Colts were still looking for more though, Ward rising at the back post to power a Broadfoot corner towards the bottom corner, the keeper making another excellent save to turn it round the post, before making another superb stop from a fine Colts move. Kirwan and Tilley linked on the left to square to the edge of the box. Broadfoot hearing the shout from the onrushing Grant stepped over the ball, taking out two defenders with the dummy, Grant placing a shot into the bottom left hand corner which the keeper did superbly to turn around the post at full stretch to keep it at 3, which is how it finished.

Duncan and Kirwan were a constant threat from fullback (click to enlarge)

A fantastic occasion for the club marked by a fine performance and a comfortable win, only a very good goalkeeping performance by the University stopper keeping the score to 3 in a game the Colts dominated in terms of possession and chances.

The Broadwood men will be excited to learn who they draw in Round 2, a day which will see them make some more history and a season full of firsts!

Full Photoset from Alex Miller on Flickr