31/08/2026
FC NOVA 8-5 KIRRIE THISTLE
EBM Cup Quarter Final
Wards Road, Brechin
30/08/2026 - KO 10.45
Brimming with confidence, the lads took some time away from the league to face Kirrie in the quarter final of the EBM Cup. Nova were in control in the opening minutes, picking up where we left off from the 5-0 win against our opponents at the start of the season. On his first start this campaign, Matt Davies opened the scoring. A long one from Finno was flicked on by Blair Henderson, and Davies was there to latch on to the ball, cut onto his right and fire into the bottom corner. The visitors would go on to equalise near the 20 minute mark when a ball over the top was picked up by their striker and the shot was low past Finno. A possible chance to go in front was denied by the ref when Gregor O’Neill, who was clearly brought down in the box, wasn’t given a penalty. However, we would soon find ourselves in front again anyway when Alfie McGarry stepped up for a 20 yard free kick that he placed beautifully in the top corner. A third Nova goal then came when Henderson took the ball on the half turn and dinked one over the top for Kenny Barber to chase. The challenge on the goalie sent the ball in the air and Barber was the first man there to head it home from point blank range. Keen to try and wrap the game up before half time, we upped a gear and pushed for the fourth, which eventually came from O’Neill. Henderson, with the ball at the edge of the box and his back to goal, pulled out a silky smooth backheel which was taken by O’Neill and buried. The last action of the half saw us with a McGarry throw-in from the left that came to Dimitar Blairbatov, who somehow managed a first time weighted pass on the swivel to O’Neill, earning our fifth of the day with a diving header.
HT 5-1
It only took a few minutes before Nova’s grip on the game could be tightened even more when a penalty was given for a foul on Barber. O’Neill stepped up. On a hat-trick, oozing with confidence. Chipped straight over the bar. McGarry was next in the queue trying to get our sixth, his header from a corner bringing out a marvellous save from the keeper to tip it over. We finally got our sixth through Big Handsome. The camera only caught the ball flying into the top corner, so I can only assume he hit a couple round-the-worlds then casually scorpion kicked it. It wouldn’t surprise me at this point. This was the final moment before the long awaited return of Super Ethan Chandler. Chandler was keen to make an instant mark on the game, so he conceded a penalty which Kirrie scored from. No need to panic here, we still have a four goal cushion so nothing silly boys. Finno concedes a penalty. 6-3. The next goal was now absolutely crucial, as there was still plenty of time for Kirrie to spark an impossible comeback if they were to make it 6-4. Kirrie did have an attempt on target that would’ve been the fourth for them but Finno did well to hold on to it safely. Nova finally got that vital seventh goal when the magnificent Chandler beat the offside trap and took O’Neill’s big header through the defensive line in his stride, nutmegging the goalie and taking us further out of sight again. The game would later be put to bed with about 10 left to play. Nova would catch Kirrie on the counter attack, starting with another long one up the park from Finno and ending with a cool, calm and composed finish from Aiden Southam in the far bottom corner. A couple moments of loss in concentration allowed our opponents to grab two consolation goals at the end, but the game was well out of sight by this point.
FT 8-5
Nova are now into the semi final, with our opponents to be determined next week. Plenty of great performances across the park, including solid debuts from Ethan Brown and Southam. Shout out to Henderson who, in the span of two games, has sailed past last season’s leader for assists. Man of the match goes to McGarry for a fabulous free kick and an overall solid left-back display. Thanks to everyone who came to support the lads, it’s always appreciated!
💜
Starting XI
S. Finnegan (GK)
E. Brown 🅰️
A. Reekie
G. Inglis
A. McGarry ⭐⚽️
S. Ledingham (c)
C. Tracey 🅰️
G. O’Neill ⚽️⚽️🅰️
K. Barber ⚽️
B. Henderson ⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
M. Davies ⚽️
Subs
E. Wilson
E. Wood
K. Baillie
J. Tough
A. Southam ⚽️
E. Chandler ⚽️
B. Brymer 🅰️
Sponsors
ECK Entertainment
Bainbridge Ings Country Park
Carnegie Fuels Ltd
Coast Bar, Restaurant & Events
