Five-star Jordanhill dash Tollcross’ Amateur Cup bid

Jordanhill progressed through to the fifth round of the national competition after dominating from start to finish at Saughton 3G, scoring five goals from only six shots on target in a game where Tollcross, who usually play a fast, flowing passing game, failed to turn up.

Jordanhill made their early dominance count after half an hour, as Stuart MacPhee scored from six yards out after being picked out by a fine Robert Stewart delivery from the right. Tollcross responded well and could have been level but for a great save by Jordanhill keeper David Murray to prevent Adam Robertson’s curling right-foot shot finding the top right-hand corner. The visitors doubled their lead within five minutes of the restart, with MacPhee heading home from an out swinging corner by Kevin Brown.

Tollcross made two substitutions to try and claw their way back into it, bringing on the son of Hearts legend John Robertson, Marc, and it was Robertson Jnr who should have given his side a lifeline with his first touch of the ball. Craig Pinnons flew past the Jordanhill defence before firing in a far-post cross to the unmarked Robertson who, on the volley, fired a bullet of a drive over the bar with the goal gaping. Minutes later, and with a replica of the first opportunity, Pinnons again found Robertson at the far post and again he failed to score, putting his chance wide of the left hand post. Tollcross were instantly made to pay as Jordanhill scored their third of the game. Blair Mulgrew, who had emerged from the bench in place of MacPhee, lobbed a ball over to Brown who, after holding off Rees Allan, flicked the ball over the on-rushing Stuart Hogarth into the net.

Moments later and it was 4-0 as Brown played the ball over Allan again and rushed in on goal to win the one-on-one with Hogarth before placing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Tollcross mustered a consolation goal after the referee adjudged Jordanhill No.1 Murray to have handled a wayward passback. After being made to take the free-kick three times and scoring with each effort, Tollcross skipper Allan made sure the fourth effort counted as he fired in a fierce drive under the wall past the helpless Murray. Jordanhill completed the scoring when Brown set up Mulgrew, who fired into the far corner of the net.

Tollcross coach Alan McKay was disappointed with his men. He said: “Jordanhill were the hungrier of the two teams. They really deserved to win and played like it was a cup tie compared to us playing like it was a pre-season friendly.”

Tollcross Thistle: Stuart Hogarth, Greig Hogarth, Chris Cornhill, Rees Allan, Chris Bain, John Lawson, Callum Roberts, Stewart O’Neill, Craig Pinnons, Sean Mossman, Adam Robertson, Lee Heinemeir, Ian Adams, Marc Robertson, Graham Nisbet, Jamie More.

JordAnhill Campus: David Murray, Craig Mulgrew, Andy McCall, Greig Muir, Daniel Crowe, Robert Stewart, Iain Brown, Mark Deacon, Stuart MacPhee, Kevin Brown, Andy Brown, Mark Bradshaw, Blair Mulgrew, Peter Calderwood, Mark Thornton.