AM sprint out of the traps to ensure win

FCBayside.........................1

Championship leaders Bayside were the visitors for last Saturday’s Tom McIntyre Cup quarter final at Duffus Park.

AM were keen to test their opponents rearguard with a direct approach in the opening stages.

They took the game to their stunned visitors and left Bayside on the back foot and unable to break out of their own half.

They took the lead on 12 minutes when Gary Reilly burst in off the left wing and ran across the face of the Bayside back four.

He finished off his move by sliding a ball through for Pennington to control and blast low across the goalkeeper.

Pennington would hunt down the vistors’ left back minutes later and a foul on the AM striker would lead to a quick free kick.

Lawson was released and he looked up before his low cross picked out Mikey Reilly for a smart low finish for a 2-0 lead.

On 30 minutes Curnyn advanced from right back and Lawson deepened before spinning in behind the full back to get on the end of a pass.

In a carbon copy of the second goal, he looked up and this time picked out Gary Reilly, who swept home a third.

The second half started at low tempo and ten minutes in AM were punished for their relaxed approach.

A direct pass over the centre backs released the Bayside striker and he wasn’t to be caught before firing confidently past the advancing Pratt in the AM goal.

AM spent 20 minutes defending, albeit comfortably, before a change of shape and personnel swung momentum back in their favour.

The introduction of Mutch, McLuckie and Morgan added fresh legs and McLuckie, then Mutch had opportunities to add number four but blasted against the visiting goalkeeper.

A spokesman for AMsoccer said: “In summary, this was a case of doing what was required to win the tie on a bumpy pitch and AMsoccer have another semi final to look forward to.”

MOM – Gary Reilly.