Inverurie Locos booked their place in the Highland League Cup Final with a resounding 2-0 win over Brechin City.
The Railmen proved too strong for the league title contenders who struggled in the semi-final at Harlaw Park on Saturday.
Sam Robertson opened the scoring for the hosts about 20 minutes into the game when he chipped the ball over City goalkeeper Leonard Wilson.
After halftime, Sam Burnett scored the second goal for the Locos and Brechin couldn’t make a fighting save for the remainder of the game.
It was Brechin who threatened early in the game with Mark Scott, Grady McGrath and Pete Biabi all stopping chances one after the other on one lane of play.
Locos’ ball reached captain Greg Mitchell, who chipped in from long range.
Kevin McHattie deflected an effort into the net for City and the ball went out of play.
The hosts then took the lead when a long ball at the end reached Sam Robertson who volleyed it over Leonard Wilson and into the net.
He had another chance when he turned and fired a long shot but it was straight at the goalkeeper.
At the other end, Biabi hit a shot that hit Thomas Reid and was saved by Andy Reid, the railway goalkeeper.
Brechin had a dangerous chance when McGrath’s narrowly angled shot went through the net, however, there was no one to score.
As the first half drew to a close, Kieran Inglis attempted a shot from range, which was covered by Andy Reid.
Shortly after the break, Burnett extended the home side’s lead when Mitchell flicked the ball back to him in the penalty area and he didn’t miss his shot.
A corner kick from the hosts was sent by Jimmy Michie, which was headed in by David Wilson, who was unable to direct it into the net.
Locos was pressing City’s defence. Callum Dingwall’s fine shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by Leonard Wilson.
The hosts continued to press for a third goal with man of the match Sam Robertson putting in an impressive performance down the right wing, but his cross failed to reach any of his team mates.
A penalty was then awarded to The Railwaymen after Mitchell was brought down in the box by the goalkeeper. Dingwall rose to take it and fell back when he took his shot and the ball rebounded into the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed by referee Scott Leslie as the defender hit the ball twice.
Brechin had a chance late on when Anthony MacDonald and Fraser MacLeod both threatened but Andy Reid and the Locos defense were there to block the menace.
Locus Banks will face Audi in the cup final after beating Pooky Thistle on penalties at Victoria Park.
The match ended 1-1 and Aberdeen won 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
The final will take place on Saturday, April 8, at Pilsley Park in Fraserburgh.
Inverire Locos coach Andy Law said: “It was a deserved win and it looked as if more goals in the game were coming from us.
“We carried threat throughout, setting the pace in terms of our work rate defensively and in attacking situations, and for a man they were quite distinct, every single one of them.
“They needed to be and even though Brechin are one of the best teams in the Highland League, they have proven that all year and I am sure they will continue and do well during the rest of the season in the league.
“The players stuck to their game plan which was to cheer us on and we would catch up in the second half because we knew the two up front in Sam Robertson and Robert Ward were going to cause them problems and that’s what they did throughout the game.
“The players are a great group who want to work hard for each other and when they do, you let the quality take care of itself. The quietest player was Andy Reid and that sums up the game.”
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