AFTER a goal feast Cup-tie at Raemoss Park, Peterhead, United and their north regional league opponents will meet again in a replay at Guy's Meadow on Saturday.

If the return contest is as eventful as the match at a cold and blustery Buchanhaven, then the fans will be in for a thrilling encounter.

The extremely strong wind dictated this exciting contest. United had the advantage in the first half and, playing some very good football, outleagued the Aberdeenshire side and went in at the interval leading 4-1. After the break, however, the Hearts team, in their turn, used the elements well, piling the pressure on the new town side. When they completed their comeback and equalised the scores in the 85th minute, it was nail-biting time for the United fans who had made the long journey to the cold north.

With the wind in their favour in the first half, the Cumbernauld side immediately went on the offensive and came close in the opening minute when an Ally Brown header forced the home keeper into action. Then the visitors had the ball in the net only to have an offside decision against them.

After a goal bound effort was cleared off the Hearts line, United took the lead on the quarter of an hour mark when, following great work by Ally Brown and Brian McCardie, Gary McClymont was on the spot to put the visitors ahead.

The advantage was short-lived, however. Within a minute Buchanhaven had levelled the score when Peter Bruce pounced on a mix-up in the United defence to slot the ball past the United keeper.

Not long afterwards Cumbernauld regained the lead when, following a Mark Kane corner, Hearts' Kevin Cunningham headed past his own keeper.
It was nearly all United although Hearts were dangerous on the breakaway – their young forwards full of running.

In the 33rd minute Gary McClymont put United further ahead with a screamer from 20 yards. After another effort was scrambled off the goal line McClymont was again on target to receive an excellent hat trick and allow United to finish the period 4-1 up.

The hardy Cumbernauld fans realised at the break that facing the really strong wind it would be difficult in the second half against opponents who, in their own league, were averaging five goals per game. And so it proved.

Despite withstanding some intense pressure, United held their own until midway through the second period until Hearts attacker Dane Ballard became the darling of the local support scoring the first goal of Buchanhaven's fightback.

United could have increased their lead shortly afterwards when James Brown, and Alan Templeton combined to give substitute Martin Brannan a sight of goal, but he unfortunately blasted the ball high and wide.

As the wind increased in strength, United's hopes faded, and that man Ballard netted his second goal.

It was now backs to the wall for the visitors, but in the 85th minute that man Ballard – an Aberdeen and Rangers teenage trialist – struck again to give the visitors a nightmare last five minutes.

Cumbernauld, with home advantage this Saturday, should manage to progress to the second round, but they will have to be very watchful against this very young and energetic side.

E.D.