Let's call this a bad day at the office. AC95 stumbled to defeat at the hands of Haddington for the third time this season. And if their East Lothian neighbours haven't got the hex on them by now they hide it well.

In all truth there was very little between the two sides in the first half with neither keeper getting much action to keep them warm on a chilly morning at Meggetland. Both teams pressed for an opening goal without success but when it came for the visitors there was a real sense around the ground that it would prove vital. While AC hesitated Haddington pounced and the finish was of the highest standard.

AC could have, should have, equalised almost immediately but after being set up by Blair's industry in the box Jonny could do no better than just guide the ball over the bar from eight yards. Then, with AC down to 10 men while Ross recovered from a knock, Haddington went close with a shot that narrowly missed the target. And as the referee, who had an excellent game, readied to blow for half-time, Blair burst from his own half and with Haddington defenders in tow made his way into the box only to see his powerful drive hit the foot of the post.

If that was designed to give AC confidence there was little sign of it in a second half dominated by the visitors. Led by their quick, strong forwards Haddington pressed throughout the half scoring three excellent goals. It was all too much for AC who grabbed a late consolation through Kyle to put some respectibility in the final score of AC95 1 Haddington 4.

AC95 Man of the Match : Fraser M was solid in the middle for AC but Blair's energy and quality was AC's best feature and wins him the MOM.

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

This was a tough match on a windy and bitterly cold early morning on the open playing fields of Liberton HS. To make matters worse Edinburgh South had a number of very big players in their side so playing up hill in the first half was always going to be a struggle for AC.

Despite all of this AC battled hard and it was only after an unfortunate mistake that the home side scored their first.  If AC had managed to get to half time one down there might have been a chance, but a second goal came after some loose play.

ACO started well in the second half and tried to play some nice passing football despite the wind. It was however South that scored their third with a spectacular shot into the top right hand corner. AC managed to get a consolation goal near the end when hard work by Connaire resulted in a cross to Tommy who volleyed  home from close range.

We take this opportunity to wish Edinburgh South all the best in the next round.

AC95 Man of the Match : Danny for some strong but silky play in midfield.

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

After losing out on penalties to Haddington in the Scottish Cup last month AC95 were seeking some pay back in this Ian Mackay Cup tie. Overhead conditions were good but it didn't take long for the heavy pitch to cut up making passing and control desperately difficult for both sides.

AC started brightly enough taking a firm grip in midfield and passing the ball to good effect. A few half chances followed - the best a sharp shot from Fraser W turned round the corner by the keeper - together with several free kicks and corners, but no goals.

Haddington's quick forwards struggled all match to time their runs and stay on-side and AC's back four looked very comfortable mopping up anything that came through, so it was a bit of a surprise when the home side took the lead just before half-time. But the goal was a cracker. Haddington's tall striker had plenty of pace and power and when he gathered the ball on the right hand side he had one thing only on his mind. An unstoppable drive followed that hit the back of the net before Ryan had a chance to react.
Half Time: Haddington Athletic FC ... 1  AC95 ... 0

AC resumed with a real purpose about them and Jack could consider himself very unfortunate when he was clearly tripped in the box but, with everyone stopped waiting on the whistle, he sportingly tried to find his feet again only to see the chance closed out - it was difficult for the impartial spectator to see what advantage had accrued.

With Connaire and Jack driving forward an equaliser seemed only a matter of time. But Haddington had other ideas, and a crisp, sharp break down the AC right opened up the visitors' defence for a simple finish.

Haddington had a grip on the game now and, playing the offside line to remarkably good effect, could have extended their lead several times. But they met a solid adversary in Ryan who made a series of good saves to keep AC in touch.

In the closing seconds, AC finally broke Haddington's stout defence and Jack was on hand to tap the ball over line after the keeper had parried Connaire's fierce drive. It was not enough and Haddington deservedly took the tie and now move on to the next round, where AC wish them all the best.
Full Time: Haddington Athletic FC ... 2  AC95 ... 1

AC95 Man of the Match : At the centre of midfield Lewis was immense, winning tackle after tackle and using the ball creatively.

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

Tynecastle looked to be a big strong team (one player at over six feet tall!) but ACO edged it by playing some fine passing football - especially playing uphill in the first half.

ACO started strongly with some good play leading to chances for Kyle (a header from a free kick) and then Paul. A great passing move by Danny and Jack led to a shot from Lewis that the keeper saved. Soon after, a great run from Robin ended with a cut back to Daniel; but the shot was missed. Jack started to impose himself on the game with a series of great crosses for Robin then Danny, neither of whom were able to finish. Eventually, Jack nipped in himself to score the first. Another fine passing move involving Kyle then Robin led to Paul scoring the second.

Going into the second half playing down hill you would have expected ACO to win comfortably, but it was not to be. Tynecastle fought back scoring a good goal and it required a fine effort from Connor to give AC the edge.

AC95 Man of the Match : Robin for some strong runs causing the home team problems 

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

This much anticipated cup tie never really got going and for much of the match looked more like a training game.

The few half chances for the first Division side were easily dealt with by Ryan and the only goal of the game came midway through the first half when Fraser broke down the left with his shot going in off the post.

The second half was a tale of missed chance for the 95s with Connaire either setting up great chances or going close himself. The final and possibly best chance for the second goal fell to Paul who delayed then missed the opportunity.

AC95 Man of the Match : Ryan who’s safe handling in goal spread confidence throughout the team.

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

This really was a game of two halves on a wet morning in Sighthill. After a slow start ACO started to play some good football through the midfield and down the wings with Danny P and Tommy G linking up well and starting to create a series of decent chances with Thabs and Steph both going close.

A good shot from Kyle also brought out a good save from the keeper. Towards the end of the first half Kieran came on for an injured Robin but despite creating more good opportunities the game remained goalless. 

The introduction of Lewis and Connaire L at half time had an immediate effect with a goal within 30 seconds of the restart.  A determined run from Connaire straight from the kick-off was the long awaited breakthrough. There were decent efforts from Kieran, off the post, and from Tommy with a clever lob before the goals started to flow.

It was Connaire again with number two – this time a fierce shot from a remarkable angle almost from the sideline hit the net. Lewis took number three after some good work from Kieran. Cammy was next with a long range lob over the keeper. The fifth fell to Matt who bundled it over the line from close range. Cammy got his second when he finished off a decent shot from Danny. Next up was Tommy who finished off following a strong run from Thabs.

Connaire L grabbed his hat trick when he took the ball from his own half before going round the goalie to score. Ross was next who drove through to score. Finally Kyle got number 10 when we finished off another good run from Connaire, before a careless mistake at the back allowed Spartans to score a consolation goal who were due credit for fighting all the way 'til the end.

However, the busiest man of the second half was the Evening News reporter scribbling down the details of all the goals.

Man of the Match : This week it goes to Danny P who played intelligently throughout the match in the centre of midfield.

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.

On a typically wet and windy night playing in the long grass of the Craigmillar outfields against strong opposition this was never going to be an easy tie.

And AC did not make it any easier by starting poorly with some slack passing. City soon took advantage with a goal when a long ball caught AC cold. Slowly but surely AC started to battle back and holding their own and playing up the hill and into the wind one goal down at half time was a reasonable result.

Cammy coming on into the second half brought a bit more life to our wing play and his efforts soon resulted in a penalty which Kieran slotted away comfortably. City fought back immediately and soon forced a second goal. AC with wind and slope advantage started to assert themselves and Connaire start making some telling runs. Sustained pressure from free kicks and corners eventually found Kyle in space who chipped to Cammy to head home another equaliser.

In tense finish AC probably deserved to win having created the most chances and so it was to be with Connaire first hitting the post then crossing to Kieran to slide in the winner.

Man of the Match : Cammy, for a typical gutsy and versatile performance coming on as a sub and playing left wing, then right back!

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Please Note: Our match reports are written from an AC Oxgangs FC perspective and are primarily intended for the benefit of ACO players, officials and supporters. Understandably, our team of volunteer reporters will focus on our own players/team performance - this does not imply that the contribution of the opposition team has been deliberately undervalued. If you would like to comment on the above Match Report you can do so by emailing web.admin@acoxgangs.com  Current child protection guidelines prevent us from naming opposition players unless we have express permission to do so.