East Craigie v Fraserburgh United (reporter Stephen Durcan, East Craigie)

A welcome diversion from their respective league campaigns brought Highlanders Fraserburgh United to Craigie Park for this Quest Engineering Cup last 16 tie. Both clubs on the crest of a wave and both hoping for promotion, this had the making of a very testing encounter. Relatively evenly matched, on paper at least, United would have to overcome a 110 mile journey south and face a Craigie side with a formidable 100% home record of 13 wins from 13 in all competitions. The stage was set, Storm Ciara was imminent and the supporters were braced for whatever was thrown at them.

The Craigie Cyclone arrived first with the hosts surging into a 2-0 lead within the opening 12 minutes. The first goal, courtesy of a penalty, arrived on 6 minutes. A superb pass through defence from George Johnston found Rory Faulkner but he was brought down by the out-rushing keeper. Up stepped Mr Reliable JOHNSTON to place his kick to the left of the diving keeper. Goal number two came courtesy of a pinpoint cross to the far post from Grant Paterson which SEAN REEKIE nodded home despite pressure from a defender and also the keeper. In between the goals United's Buchan headed wide and Craigie's Johnston saw a shot blocked.

With Johnston involved in almost everything, he sent a corner kick into the box which James Malone rose high to nod wide.That was on 26 minutes and four minutes later Craigie had another chance but Johnston (did I say that he was playing?) turned and shot over after a neat ball through defence from Finlay Baird.

Fraserburgh's Guild launched a determined run through the Craigie back line, weaving left and right and was only stopped in his tracks by Grant Paterson who bundled him to the floor. All eyes went to the referee to see the colour of his card and to United's dismay and the Shipbuilders relief it was only a yellow. Guild picked himself up, dusted himself down and curled the resultant free kick up and over.

HALF-TIME: East Craigie 2 Fraserburgh United 0

Still no noise from Ciara but Baird blew through with a free-kick which United defender Ritchie nodded over his own crossbar. A rare foray from the visitors saw a low effort from Ramsay smothered by home keeper Liam Dunn. Back came the hosts with Reekie trying a shot but the ball sizzled over.

On 58 minutes Ross Mcnaughton curled a free-kick too high over United's bar. More pressure from the hosts led to Reekie being felled just outside the box and Scott Brannan's set-piece was fumbled then claimed at the second attempt by keeper Tait. Midway through the half Guild flicked up a rolling ball then volleyed wide of the Craigie post. Jordan Conway replaced Baird and had immediate effect when running through on the visiting goal but his shot was blocked.

The 81st minute brought East Craigie's third goal. Fraser MacLeod and JOHNSTON charged upfield in a two-pronged assault, the former pushing the ball for the latter to drive low beyond the keeper for his 28th goal of the season.Three minutes from time the icing was put on the Craigie cake as Reekie slipped the ball to MACLEOD who side-footed over the despairing keeper. 4-0 to East Craigie and an ominous charge into the last eight.

FINAL SCORE: East Craigie 4 Fraserburgh United 0

MAN OF THE MATCH: George Johnston

EAST CRAIGIE: Dunn, Malone, Paterson, McDonald, Brannan, Baird (Conway 61), Reekie, MacLeod, Faulkner (Harkin 79), Johnston, Mcnaughton (Brown 71).

FRASERBURGH UNITED: Tait, Gordon (Bruce 75), Hale, Ritchie, Bain, Reid (Lawrence 79), Roger, Guild, Ramsay, Rollo (Marshall 56), Buchan.