05/09/2026
Alliance match report.
Scottish Amateur Cup 1
Merpro Alliance 0-3 Downfield Amateurs
The Alliance welcomed Downfield Amateurs to a blustery Broomfield for this Scottish Amateur Cup 1st round tie.
Downfield started quickly and had the bulk of the possession in the early exchanges but the Alliance stood firm with the goal never threatened in the opening exchanges.
First real attack from the Alliance saw Rhys Fotheringham hold the ball up well, with his through ball finding Alex Wood. His shot being deflected behind and the resulting corner headed wide by Brody Mustard.
Downfield were still controlling the game but the Alliance were trying to play some football in the blustery conditions.
Downfield nearly took the lead in the 16th minute when they won the ball back in midfield but the resulting shot went well wide.
The visitors then took the lead a minute later when a neat flick allowed Finlay Taylor through on goal and he scored in the far corner.
The Alliance were quickly back on the attack and a freekick from Gus Hourston was easily gathered by the visiting keeper Shepherd.
Downfield were causing all sorts of problems down the Alliance right hand side and the left winger McLeish got in behind but sliced his cross high over the cross bar.
The Alliance forced the first real save from the Downfield keeper in the 27th minute. A big clearance from Brody Mustard was brilliantly controlled by Rhys Fotheringham on the half way line. He turns and plays the galloping Alex Wood through on goal but his shot is well saved with the rebound cleared.
Roan Taylor then has a freekick from the left which went harmlessly over the crossbar.
Downfield were pushing for a second before half time and the left winger gets in behind the Alliance defence again but his low shot is saved by Jack Boyd at the near post.
Final action of the half saw a Downfield corner cleared and a long range volley going well over.
HT 0-1
The Alliance started quickly in the second half and won a quick corner after the visiting keeper held onto the ball beyond his allocated time. The resulting corner was cleared and allowed Downfield to break quickly. The ball should have been dealt with but a defensive mixup allowed the visitors in on goal but the resulting shot went wide.
The Alliance nearly equalised in the 52nd minute. Nathan Durrand wins the ball in midfield and plays out to Harris McLeod on the right. He cuts inside, finds Rhys Fotheringham on the edge of the box and his first time shot is going into the top corner only to be thwarted by a world class save from the Downfield keeper Shepherd.
Downfield were next to threaten and some good link up play in midfield saw a shot from the edge of the box which was well tipped over the bar by Jack Boyd.
Downfield eventually extended their lead in the 66th minute when some great passing and movement play allowed a shot from the edge of the box by Max Laing which agonisingly went past the outstretched hand of Boyd.
The Alliance nearly pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute. Daniel McKenzie floats a delightful ball to the back post which finds Roan Taylor but his left foot shot is sliced wide of the post.
Downfield wrapped up the victory in the 86th minute. A shot from the edge of the box was unfortunately spilled by Boyd and the follow up tucked away by Harrison Whittet.
The Alliance pushed for a consolation goal when a Brody Mustard freekick was sent into the box but was headed clear for a corner.
FT 0-3
Overall a good effort from the lads today against very good and well organised opposition. They struggled at times to get to grips with the windy conditions but on another day some of our scoring opportunities may have hit the back of the net but it wasn’t to be.
All the best to Downfield Amateurs in the next round.
Thanks to today’s match day sponsor Gill Financial
Gill Financial
