Stoneyburn boss Steven Sharp says his players were ‘absolutely phenomenal’ after defeating Berwick Rangers despite a four division gap between the side.
The Fulshie produced a stunning East of Scotland Qualifying Cup second round upset as goals from Cameron Donaldson and Ryan Robertson sent the Fulshie through.
There was special poignancy to the result, too, coming a day before the first anniversary of the passing of long-time secretary Steven Macmillan.
The hosts got off to the perfect start as Donaldson fired them in front inside the opening 60 seconds but many will have assumed the Lowland League visitors would go on to seal a commanding win after Martin Rennie levelled things up on 11 minutes.
But the East of Scotland Division Three outfit refused to wilt and grew back into the game before Robertson fired them back in front after latching onto a pinpoint pass from Fuslhie keeper Gavin McQuillan. They passed up chances to extend their lead, with the woodwork being rattled and Berwick defender Jamie Pyper clearing another effort off the line before the final whistle brought ecstatic scenes at Beechwood Park.
A delighted Sharp told the Courier: “I think we deserved it, which in some ways is the most pleasing aspect. It wasn’t a backs to the wall performance where we’ve kind of been lucky to hold on, I think we were the better team.
“Nobody outside of this club gave us a chance but we believed. We all genuinely believed that we could win the game. We knew we had to be close to perfect, but everyone believed that we were good enough and had enough ability in that team to get a result.
“The discipline, the shape, the work-rate, the attitude, everything. The players were absolutely phenomenal.
“It proves that if you work hard, then sometimes you get the rewards you deserve. It was a special moment for the club and all the players. You could see from the celebrations just what it meant to them. The emotion was genuine.”
He added: “Steven was up there making sure we won, I’ve no doubt about that. We know how much that result would have meant to him and it was fitting and very special for us to be able to give the Macmillan family something to be proud of and celebrate during a really difficult weekend for them.”
Blackburn United were the only West Lothian club to join the Fulshie in the third round at the weekend as they won 2-0 away to Hawick Royal Albert thanks to a Laurie Devine second-half double.
Harthill Royal put in a spirited performance but lost 3-0 at home to East of Scotland top flight side Jeanfield Swifts.
Elsewhere during the weekend, West Calder United and Whitburn won Challenge Cup first round ties, while Armadale Thistle, Bathgate Thistle, Livingston United and Pumpherston exited the competition.
A Scott Hay double and goals from Liam Baillie and Liam Crichton gave the Cauther a 4-1 win over Edinburgh College while Whitburn defeated Dalkeith Thistle 3-0 away from home. Michael McGarahan, Jack Henderson and Darren Liddell all netted.
Armadale fell just short of causing an upset as they went down 2-1 to Lowland League side Tranent while Bathgate lost 5-0 to Penicuik Athletic. United and Pumphy both tasted defeat in the capital with Livi losing 2-1 at Tynecastle and Darren Pegg’s side suffering a 4-2 reverse against Edinburgh United.
In league action, a Gary Brass hat-trick highlighted Broxburn Athletic’s 4-1 EoS Premier Division win at Oakley United while Linlithgow won 4-2 at Sauchie. Gary Thom, Mark Stowe, Alan Sneddon and Alan Docherty were the Rose scorers.
In Division Three, Fauldhouse United lost 8-1 away at Bo’ness Athletic.
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
