Linlithgow Rose .................................. 3
Whitburn ............................................. 2 The visitors began in determined fashion and the Rose defence looked decidedly edgy in the opening exchanges strugg
ling to clear their lines and putting themselves under more pressure.
The opening goal came in only the eighth minute from a mistake by Ian Gallacher who headed straight to John Murphy in the Rose box.
The Whitburn midfielder pounced on the error and shot past Pinkowski from 12 yards to put Whitburn ahead.
Rose finally started to settle and take a grip of the game, playing some nice passing football but always seemed to lose possession in the final third.
Grady caused the Whitburn defence problems with his pace and direct
running. In the 41st minute he was put through by a pass from Bradley and, as he burst into the Whitburn box from the right hand side, he was upended by Whitburn keeper Walker and ref McLennan awarded a penalty.
Brian Carrigan sent him the wrong was to level the score and three minutes later and Rose were in front, Grady again caused havoc in the visitors box before finding Carrigan.
His cross was met by McArthur whose diving header beat Walker from close range to make sure Rose led at the break.
The second half was more of the same as Rose controlled the play for large periods but again never made the telling pass. Carrigan, Grady and McArthur all tried their luck but failed to add to the tally. With just the one goal advantage there was always the danger of a breakaway and Whitburn came close when a Strickland shot was diverted onto the post by the outstretched leg of Scott Wilson. The Rose woodwork was struck again later as Donnolly's headed clearance clipped his own crossbar.
With time almost up, a quick break from defence by Rose saw Mark Tyrell take the ball to the bye line on the right and attempt to find Grady in the box.
His pass fell between Mbu and Leiper, Mbu hit his clearance off his fellow defender which in turn fell to Grady and he slid the ball to the back post where Carrigan had an easy tap-in for his second and Rose's third.
This looked to have wrapped up the victory but at the other end Strickland had not given up yet and as the game entered injury time he turned and curled a shot past Pinkowski from 20 yards.
It was, however, to be the last action as ref McLennan brought the game to a close and set up a semi-final appearance for Rose.
ANDREW WEST
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