KEMNAY PROGRESS AFTER PENALTY DRAMA

AFC Trophy – First Round

Kemnay AFC 2–2 Burghmuir FC

Kemnay win 5–4 on penalties

Kemnay AFC are through to the next round of the AFC Trophy after holding their nerve to defeat Burghmuir FC 5–4 on penalties following a hard-fought 2–2 draw.

It was a game that had a little bit of everything. Kemnay showed flashes of what this side is capable of, both teams had spells where the football became scrappy, and Burghmuir applied some serious late pressure before the tie was eventually decided from 12 yards.

Kemnay started the game strongly and looked the brighter of the two sides in the opening stages. Despite seeing plenty of the ball and playing some good football, neither side was able to create a great deal in the final third during the early exchanges.

It was Kemnay who eventually found the breakthrough.

Davis Lupindu broke through on goal and looked to have a great opportunity to open the scoring, only for his effort to be kept out by the outstretched foot of the Burghmuir goalkeeper. The danger wasn't over, however, as Louie Goldie reacted quickest to the loose ball and tucked home the rebound to give Kemnay the lead.

1–0 Kemnay.

The goal brought a response from Burghmuir, who began to push hard for a way back into the game. Kemnay were forced onto the back foot more often as the visitors increased the pressure, and eventually they found their equaliser.

After Kemnay initially cleared the danger, they were slow to push out of the box, giving Burghmuir the opportunity to deliver the ball back into the area. The resulting cross was met by an excellent header which looped over Fernando and into the back of the net.

1–1.

With both teams having enjoyed good spells, there could be few complaints about the scoreline as the sides went into the break level.

Kemnay came flying out of the traps after the restart and, only a matter of minutes into the second half, should have restored their lead.

A lovely through ball from Craig Scott split the Burghmuir defence and released Goldie inside the box. From the edge of the six-yard area it looked like Kemnay were about to go 2–1 ahead, but his effort went wide of the post. It was a massive opportunity and one Kemnay would have been hoping they wouldn't come to regret.

The game remained finely balanced until the 68th minute, when Kemnay finally found their second.

Saber raced through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who came out to meet him before the pair collided inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot, although the incident unfortunately left the Burghmuir keeper with a nose injury which meant he was unable to continue.

After the delay, Joel Ingram had the task of stepping up from 12 yards.

There were no signs of the interruption affecting him. Ingram remained composed and calmly dispatched the penalty to restore Kemnay's advantage.

2–1 Kemnay.

Rather than allowing Kemnay to take control, the goal sparked another strong response from Burghmuir.

As the game entered its final 15 to 20 minutes, the visitors began to dictate the tempo and increasingly pinned Kemnay back. Much of the closing stages was played in and around the Kemnay penalty area as Burghmuir pushed more bodies forward in search of another equaliser.

Eventually, the pressure told.

Burghmuir found the goal that brought them level at 2–2, and there was to be little respite for Kemnay afterwards. The visitors continued to push for a winner, forcing Kemnay to defend deep and battle their way through the closing stages.

It wasn't always pretty, but Kemnay stood firm.

Despite the sustained pressure around their box, the defence held out to see the game finish 2–2 and send the first-round tie to penalties.

And then came the drama.

Penalty shootouts are rarely comfortable viewing and this one was no different, but Kemnay's five chosen takers stepped forward knowing exactly what was required.

Joel Ingram was first up. Having already scored once from the spot during the game, he produced more of the same, calmly putting away his second penalty of the afternoon to give Kemnay the perfect start.

Then came the moment that would ultimately separate the two sides.

Burghmuir stepped up for their first attempt, but Fernando guessed right and launched himself at full stretch to produce an excellent save.

Advantage Kemnay.

From there, the task was simple in theory, if considerably harder with the pressure of a cup shootout hanging over every kick: keep scoring.

Kemnay did exactly that.

Davis Lupindu found the net. Greg followed him and did the same. Burghmuir continued to convert at the other end, meaning there was absolutely no room for error.

Next came Craig Scott, perhaps the most reluctant of Kemnay's five initial takers before the shootout began.

He needn't have worried.

Craig stepped forward and struck the ball with all the conviction we know he's capable of, finding the back of the net and leaving no trace of that earlier reluctance.

Burghmuir converted again, leaving Louie Goldie with the opportunity to finish the job.

The man who had opened the scoring during the game now had the chance to end it.

Louie stepped up and, just as every Kemnay taker before him had done, clinically found the back of the net.

Five penalties. Five goals.

Fernando's full-stretch save had provided the difference and Kemnay had held their nerve to secure a 5–4 shootout victory and a place in the next round of the AFC Trophy.

It wasn't a flawless performance. There were spells where the game became scrappy and Burghmuir's late pressure tested Kemnay right to the final whistle. But there were also flashes of the football this team is capable of, real resilience when the pressure was at its highest and, when the tie came down to five kicks from the penalty spot, five players who delivered.

FULL TIME: Kemnay AFC 2–2 Burghmuir FC

PENALTIES: Kemnay AFC 5–4 Burghmuir FC

⚽ Goals: Louie Goldie, Joel Ingram (P)

🎯 Shootout: Joel Ingram, Davis Lupindu, Greg, Craig Scott, Louie Goldie

🧤 Penalty save: Fernando

Kemnay AFC would like to thank our club partners Aberclean and Semco Maritime for their continued support, along with Lilibet Coaching, Grampian Accounting and AXA Core, sponsors of today's goalscorers and shot-stopper.

Into the next round. 🖤🤍