Kyle Watson holds his nerve in a dramatic penalty shoot out to see Hearts into the semi-final.

Saturday 4th September 2010.

2nd Round M+H Engineering Cup.

Eastvale were the visitors to Duffus Park on Saturday for a quarter-final tie of the M+H Engineering League Cup which Hearts are holders. The homesters were eager to overturn a 3-2 defeat from the visitors in the first game of the season but it took a penalty shoot out to decide the outcome. In perfect weather conditions it was Eastvale that started the brighter of the two with their centre forward Mark Cramb proving to be quite a handful and after 5 minutes he headed just over. Cupar’s Iain O’Leary got in a low cross but ‘keeper Jason Curran collected well. A challenge by McInroy on Eastvale’s Wayne Davidson resulted in a free kick in a dangerous position but the same player couldn’t make his goal bound effort count. Eastvale weren’t giving Cupar any time on the ball and they made most of the chances that fell their way. One was a long range drive by Stuart McLeish but Hearts ‘keeper Steven McEwan was able to tip the ball over for a corner kick. Iain O’Leary and Scott Pryde did their best to try and break through the visitors defence but the final ball was disappointing. Just as Cupar couldn’t find a way through, Eastvale also found Cupar’s defence standing firm. After 28 minutes of play Cupar’s Iain Boylan tried a drive from far out but this flew high over. Two minutes later though, the deadlock was broken. The ball was at the edge of the box and Eastvale had a claim for a foul involving Scott McInroy and Mark Cramb turned down before Cupar broke forward and Scott Pryde went clear and cleverly flicked the ball past the out coming ‘keeper and into the net. Cupar’s Duncan Campbell got a cross into the danger area but this was cleared. Then moments later his team mate Iain Boylan shot wide. Eastvale were soon pressing again and just before the break they shocked the homesters with a well taken equaliser. Mark Cramb broke clear of the Hearts rear guard and his angled shot flew into the top corner giving Steven McEwan no chance.

Minutes into the second half Eastvale’s Andy Kirk had a shot on the turn but this was easily saved but that was his last part to play as he was replaced by Darren Riddock and the sub could have sealed the tie on the hour mark but he failed to find the target from close range. Cupar substitutes Kyle Watson, Neale Smith and Gary Reilly gave Cupar a new lease of life and with Graham Makein making runs down the right it caused Eastvale some real problems for the first time in the match. A couple of efforts on goal just before the final whistle by Cupar failed to find a winner so it was straight to penalties.

Eastvale had one saved and one off the post with their ‘keeper saving two. So sudden death was to provide a further 5 penalties each. The visitors had their 10th penalty saved so it was left to Kyle Watson to put Cupar through and he confidently drilled the ball home.

Cupar Hearts: McEwan, Makein, Gilfillan, Anderson (C), Sharp, McInroy, O’Leary, Halley, Campbell, Boylan and Pryde. Subs: G. Reilly, Watson, Smith, M. Reilly, Fraser and Bowman.