Newtown 4-2 Gordon

The Division C villagers fought back from 2-1 down to see off Division A title contenders Gordon in the only game to survive Storm Desmond.

Played at Netherdale’s 3G pitch, Newtown thoroughly deserved their place in the next round of the Waddell Cup and player/manager Neil Macvicar agreed it was his side’s biggest result of the season so far.

“We have been going through the motions a bit in Division C but we knew we had to be at the top of our game against Gordon,” he said.

“Everyone was up for it and it showed in our performance - we all worked really hard to come back from 2-1 behind.

“We won the Waddell Cup a few years ago and it is definitely one of our priorities this season to do well in the competition again.”

Despite the conditions, this was a lively cup tie with chances galore created by each side, both of whom have already won silverware this season.

The two player/managers, Macvicar and Gordon’s Craig Livingstone, both went close in the early stages while Kevin Utterson was denied by a superb challenge by Newtown’s Paul Scott.

Newtown goalkeeper Glen Murray had to make a superb save to tip over Livingstone’s left foot volley midway through the half as Gordon looked the more dangerous side.

And ten minutes before the break, Gordon were gifted the lead when Macvicar clearly handled the ball in the area, with Euan Brown squeezing his spot kick under the body of Murray.

Newtown reacted positively with Darren Blacklock and Andrew Crawford both shooting just wide as the hosts stretched the backline of Gordon.

The defence was breached on 50 minutes with another penalty. Referee Frank Campbell had another easy decision to make when Graeme Redpath hacked down Matthew Scott, with Crawford finishing well from the spot kick.

Utterson made it 2-1 Gordon soon after with a fine angular shot which Murray got a hand to but could not keep out, but almost immediately their opponents equalised as Stephen Swanston produced a calm finish after good work by Scott Leitch and Crawford.

Gordon stopper Elliot Turnbull gifted Newtown the lead for the first time with 20 minutes to go, as his poor goalkick allowed Leitch to race in and score with ease.

And the tie was sealed seven minutes from the end as Crawford’s corner was headed in by Blacklock.

Newtown host Langholm Legion in the next round.

Newtown: G. Murray, P. Scott, D. Richardson (N. Todd 8), S. Tuddenham, M. Mathison, S. Swanston (C. Paterson 89), N. Macvicar, D. Blacklock, A. Crawford, S. Leitch, M. Scott.

Gordon: E. Turnbull, G. Redpath, G. Gillie, G. Brown, E. Brown, N. Burrows, J. Bell (J. Milner 37), G. Porter, K. Utterson, C. Livingstone, B. Tait.