Match Report

Sun September 14th

vs Leven Boys

Summer returned to Dalgety Bay as the Norries recorded a narrow win over Leven in the first round of the Scottish Cup. 

It was the first sunny weekend of the season as last term's two strongest sides met in the first round of the 'Scottish'.  The Norries started the match on the front foot and dominated the first 15 minutes.  Darren Campbell broke through the middle but the Leven back line covered well and forced him to drag his shot wide.  A neat pass behind the defence set Cammy Robertson through on goal, and when the ball broke back off the 'keeper, JACK MATSON followed up to fire the ball high into the net.

Leven reacted strongly to the loss and pushed forward down the Norries right.  A couple of missed tackles let the Leven left winger dance into the box and fire an excellent shot past Ally Moore in the Norries goal.  The Norries lead had lasted just ten minutes and now Leven were pinning them back in their own half.  But the back line held firm and as the game approached half time, there was nothing to choose between the sides. 

The Norries again started the stronger in the second half and were threatening to regain the lead.  Every dead ball situation was posing problems for the Leven defence, and when Chris Gordon met a Jack Hynd corner, his header flew past the 'keeper and clattered off the underside of the bar.  However, the goal was only delayed, and when an Ally Brown free kick was blocked, the return ball found MICHAEL FLEMING  free on the penalty spot and he stretched to knock the ball home. 

The Norries now looked likely to add to their lead, but an injury to Darren Campbell required a switch in personnel and their momentum was lost.  Leven pushed forward in the final ten minutes, but the whole Norries team worked hard to deny any clear cut chances and secure the win. 

This was a very tight game between two good sides, with the Norries just deserving to edge the result.  It is unfortunate that an excellent side such as Leven will not represent Fife in the later rounds of the competition.   The Norries though, look forward to the draw for the second round, hoping for another plum tie.