Clachnacuddin 2 Sauchie Juniors 0, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, second round
Jon Tully has revealed that he had to step out of playing retirement and take to the field for only the second time in three years as Sauchie Juniors exited the Scottish Cup.
The Reds boss was left shorn of defensive options for their second round tie at Highland League, Clachnacuddin, which they lost thanks to James Anderson's second half double.
Tully, 39, was was part of a visiting backline that also included a 17-year-old left back, having been left with only one of seven defensive options due to a suspension, a player being cup-tied, and work commitments.
Sauchie had beaten Inverurie Loco Works, also of the Highland League, to set up this tie at Grant Street in Inverness, with a place in round three, in which SPFL Championship and League One clubs enter the tournament.
The Beechwood Park gaffer had expressed his hope of further progression following victory in the previous round, which he said "would be good for the club, and good for the fans".
However, his preparations for the game were hampered, telling Advertiser Sport: "It was a hard one.
"We were depleted defensively and I had to look out the boots and come out of retirement.
"I played in the last game of last season, against Dunbar, when I had to register myself on the way through, but it was two years before that (that he played last).
"It's not ideal preparation for a big game.
"We set up a lot more defensively than I would've liked to. We hung on for 65-70 minutes, done alright and had a couple of wee chances, but would've liked to have been more of a threat."
Sauchie kept their opponents out in the first half, despite both Troy Cooper and Kuba Leszczynski both hitting the bar, but Anderson broke the deadlock with a close-range finish midway through the second period.
An Anderson double took Clachnacuddin past Sauchie Juniors.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/67oAOD31wS
— Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) October 27, 2025
Then, with 14 minutes left, the same player broke into the box and finished across goal to seal Clach's progress, and a tie away to Stenhousemuir in the next round.
"It was potentially a missed opportunity," Tully continued.
"It's frustrating for the club.
"The week before, against Hill of Beath, everybody looks at the score and says, oh, you got beat 4-0, but we had around 60-70 per cent possession, and double the amount of passes.
"We had easy possession but, within 30 seconds of losing it, we lose a goal, and it was similar on Saturday. The first goal comes from one of our throw-ins.
"It's frustrating for the club as a whole because it would've been good to get a good run in it."
Sauchie return to East of Scotland Premier Division action at Haddington Athletic on Saturday, and are hoping to add a striker ahead of that game.
On Friday, the club will also hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at 7pm, in the clubhouse under the Main Stand, with season ticket holders, valued supporters and community members welcome to attend.
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