BANCHORY ST TERNAN 2 v 1 HERMES

Banchory St Ternan made it through to the Semi Finals of the Grill League Cup on Saturday with a hard fought win over Superleague rivals Hermes at Milton Park.

An Andy Couarge strike five minutes from time sealed the quarter final victory and dumped the strikers old club, and his older brother, out of the compitition!

Saints had to reshuffle the pack after last weeks win away to Dyce with Phil Watson, Alan Ogston and Neale Henderson all on holiday, and in-form striker Jack Meldrum at a wedding. The injured duo of Mike Skene and Mike Scotland added to Saints list of players unavailable. Andy Courage took his place on the bench while brother Chris started upfront for the opposition.

Despite the heavy rain during the week, the Milton Park surface was in perfect condition. The visitors kicked off and went on the attack straight from kick off. But just four minutes in Saints had a chance to take an early lead when a fine ball into the area was completely missed by Magnus Baclay, who seemed to lose his footing at the crucial moment.

As the game continued, it was clear this was going to be a good open contest and on 14 minutes, Keith Horne was clean through on goal, but was rightly flagged for offside.

But seven minutes later the wee striker made no mistake when Lee Shanks played a pinpoint 40-yard cross field pass, and Horne took one touch before drilling past Irvine in the Hermes goal.

On the half hour, Hermes McKay sent a flashing header just past Sim's far post and shortly after former Saint Sean McKinstry wasted a free kick in a good position blasting over. Saints finished the half on top when Stuart Skinner made an excellent run down the left flank before sending in an inviting ball, but no Saints players were willing to accept.

In to the second half and Hermes came out all fired up to get the equaliser. After just two minutes they hit the crossbar from a well taken corner. With some tough tackles going in, both sets of players were in danger of letting their tempers get the better of them. Banchory's Moir went into the book for kicking the ball away. He was quickly followed by Hermes' McKendrick for a foul on Lee Shanks.

The major flash point came on 65 minutes when Saints Galashan was sent off for retaliation after being badly fouled. With both sets of players, benches and fans wound up now, anything could happen.

Manager Steve Scott made a couple of second half changes with Andy Courage replacing Stuart Skinner upfront and James Smith coming on for Keith Horne.

Ten minutes from the end Hermes levelled when the tricky Scott McKay slotted the ball past Sim with the Saints defence all at sea. Just two minutes after the restart McKinstry picked up a second yellow for a foul on Courage and was given his marching orders.

As this Cup tie would be decided by penalties, if the game was level after 90 minutes, both managers were just about to pick their takers when a long ball up to substitute Courage found the former Hermes man in space. He calmly made his way into the box before slotting under Irvine to give Saints a place in the Semi.

A huge roar from the home support greeted the final whistle and Banchory can now look forward to a last four meeting with Longside, after the Buchan side overcame cup holders Dyce on penalties.

Culter and Sunnybank will contest the other Semi Final on a date to be arranged, after beating Ellon Untied and Burghead Thistle respectively. Next week, Saints travel to Peterhead to face Buchanhaven Hearts at Raemoss Park in the Prelim Round of the GA Inter-Regional Cup. Kick off at 2:15pm.

Team: Sim, Shand, Edgar, Galashan, Moir, McRae, Shanks, Barclay, Skinner (Courage), Stainer, Horne (Smith).