Shortlees Amateurs boss Colin Smith was delighted with a fine win for his side in the West of Scotland Cup.
The Ayrshire side defeated old foes Oban Saints 1-0 in the quarter-final ensuring they’ve booked a spot in the last four.
Keir Knapp bagged the only goal of the game just before half time – and it was a battling win as Marc Walker was sent off for Shortlees in the 29th minute.
The victory sets up a potential all-Ayrshire clash for a spot in the final with Ardeer West Rec who take on Houston United this Saturday.
Smith told the Kilmarnock Standard: “We were absolutely buzzing with the result, it was brilliant.
“We went through a sticky spell until Christmas, the league form hasn’t been great.
“But the boys have kept going and fair play to them, because this was a battle.
“We went down to 10 men early on, but I need to give the boys credit because they never put their heads down and they never felt sorry for themselves.
“If anything I thought we were the better team throughout the game, we just shaded it.
“I am proud as punch, it was brilliant... it will take a good team to beat us now.”
He added: “Oban are a very good team, some of their players play with the Scotland Amateur select.
“It’s a hard place to go, especially when you’re on the bus for so long, and they had a decent crowd watching them.
“The fans are known as the ‘Oban Ultras’, they had drums and made a good atmosphere to be fair.
“They play in one of the best leagues in Scotland, I am chuffed with the attitude of the boys.”
It has been a disappointing season for Shortlees on league duty so far – they have failed to win any of their opening seven league games.
But since the turn of the year they have put in impressive cup results, and Smith says he hopes it will put some doubters in their place.
He said: “There’s always people saying stuff when we lose, but I like to get my digs in sometimes... we’re not bad for a team that’s ready to fold according to some people!
“But we expect that, it happens. I still think we are one of the best teams around when we are on form.
“But we need to go and prove it, and the last few games the boys have done that, they are getting on top at the right time.
“I was delighted for everyone who travelled up, the committee, and I need to thank the sponsors as well they have been fantastic.”
The dates for the semi-final have yet to be decided, but the clash against Ardeer or Houston will take place at Hamilton Academical’s stadium.
‘Lees have experience there this season already as they took on Drumchapel in an Amateur Cup semi.
Smith said: “We had the Scottish Cup semi final against Drumchapel at Hamilton not long ago, we lost but that was good experience.
“We are better now, and we still want to maybe add a couple of bodies to try and freshen things up.
“I think we are getting back to where we were pre-Covid, we were in a strong place back then, so long may it continue.”
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