Another weekend and another cup tie for the Royals as they kicked off their Jean Pierre Baban Cup campaign with an away tie against Broughty United Pumas at a chilly Quest Arena. It was yet another tough test for the Royals with The Pumas looking for revenge having been on the end of a 4-1 scoreline a few weeks earlier in the Scottish Cup.
The Royals started well and were dominating possession and had already had a couple of good efforts before Finlay Simpson grabbed the first goal of the game after 11 minutes. Excellent movement saw him peel into space from a throw in before hitting a first time volley into the bottom corner, past the despairing Pumas keeper, from 24 yards.
The Royals would continue to dominate possession and Finlay had another volleyed effort that just flew past the post. Devan Rennie nearly doubled the lead and was unlucky to see his effort from a tight angle hit the side netting before a rare foray forward from the Pumas saw an effort slightly deflected onto the top of the bar.
The Pumas would find an unlikely equaliser just before the break when Mark Valentine was very harshly judged to have handled the ball in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Kyle was left no chance by the well taken penalty.
HT 1-1
The second half started the way of the first half, however the Royals couldn’t get themselves back in front while the Pumas managed to forced a few corners in quick succession. From one of those they should have taken the lead but somehow the Royals cleared after a goalmouth stramash.
That scare seemed to shake the Royals back into life and Devan was again a little unlucky to shoot wide after great build up play. The second goal wasn’t long in coming, Kieran Luke slipped Finlay Simpson through and his first time effort on the angle from 18 yards flew over the Pumas keeper into the far corner.
13 minutes later Finlay returned the favour, collecting the ball at the half way line and driving beyond the Pumas left back before delivering an inch perfect cross for Kieran to finish beautifully first time to effectively kill the game.
The boys played out the last few minutes in complete control to complete an early season double against a good Pumas side.
It was an excellent performance from start to finish and a great way for the boys to bounce back after their disappointing Scottish Cup exit last week.
FT 3-1
MOTM - Finlay Simpson - we bet that Finlay wishes he could play against his former club every week as he grabbed his second double of the season against the Pumas, as well as an excellent assist in the final minutes to put the icing on the cake.
Coaches Player of the Week - the whole team…and deservedly so for an excellent all round team performance from front to back. It is also really pleasing to see our three new signings fitting in and performing so well so early into their Royals journey.
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