The first Jim Harvey Cup Semi final took place tonight and our reporter Hugh Dunnit was in place to see the action.

Jim Harvey Semi-Final

Westhill United v Third Lanark AFC
📍 BARLIA Sports Centre

MATCH REPORT

Westhill United booked their place in the GCFA final with an impressive 3–1 victory over Third Lanark AFC in an entertaining semi-final played under sunny skies at BARLIA Sports Centre.

Westhill started brightly and nearly opened the scoring early on, with Martin seeing a shot deflected just past the post. From the resulting corner, they came even closer as a powerful header crashed off the crossbar.

Kyle MacDonald was heavily involved in the early chances, delivering a dangerous cross for a back-post tap-in that was ruled out for offside. However, Westhill’s persistence paid off soon after.

A well-worked move down the flank saw the ball played to the back post, cut back into the danger area, and finished clinically by MacDonald to make it 1–0.

Third Lanark responded well, with a dangerous cross from the right leading to a header that drifted just wide.

Their equaliser soon followed, coming from a swift counterattack. A precise cut-back found Issa at the back post, who finished expertly off the post to level the match at 1–1.

Westhill continued to threaten, nearly regaining the lead with a stunning 40-yard effort that beat the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar.

Their second goal eventually arrived in familiar fashion—a near carbon copy of the first. A ball to the back post exposed the defence, was cut back into the box, and MacDonald applied the finish to restore the lead at 2–1 before half-time.

Half-Time: Westhill United 2–1 Third Lanark AFC

The second half saw Westhill maintain control and create numerous chances. MacDonald was again at the centre of the action, rounding the goalkeeper after a ball in behind but firing over the bar.

The man of the moment MacDonald later struck the post after an impressive solo run from the halfway line.

Despite their status as a championship side, Third Lanark struggled to impose themselves. Their best opportunity came following a defensive lapse, but Westhill goalkeeper Kelly produced an excellent save to preserve the lead.

Westhill United eventually put the game beyond doubt with a third goal. A long ball was flicked into MacDonald’s path, and the striker made no mistake, finishing confidently to make it 3–1.

Westhill attacker Sean McBride was substituted with 10 minutes to go after suffering from cramp, McBride had run himself into the ground for his team

Third Lanark had a late chance from a corner, but the header sailed over, and Westhill comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

Full-Time: Westhill United 3–1 Third Lanark AFC

A huge result for Westhill United, who reach their first major GCFA final.

Man of the Match: Kyle MacDonald
An outstanding performance—three goals and a constant threat, causing problems for the Third Lanark defence throughout.