British Legion Cup 2010-2011
British Legion Cup - sponsored by Colin's Carpets
Quarter-Finals
Dynamo Star 3-1 Terregles Athletic
YMCA 1-3 Lochmaben
Upper Annandale 1-2 Lochar Thistle
Morton Thistle 1-8 Maxwelltown Thistle
Semi-Finals
Dynamo Star 2-4 Lochmaben
Lochar Thistle 2-1 Maxwelltown Thistle
Final
Lochmaben 5-1 Lochar Thistle (AET, 1-1 after 90 minutes)(HT 0-0)
Lochamben retain British Legion Cup
Lochmaben continued their cup final dominance over Lochar Thistle with a well deserved win in the British Legion Cup final on Fridaynight at Galabank. With Lochar coming into the match on the back of an eleven game winning streak including a win against Lochmaben things looked set for a cracking match.
In a game where there were quite a few decent chances for both teams it was Lochar who managed to create the first decent opening when Jim Brown tested Scobie with a low shot which the keeper dealt with well. On the quarter hour Lochmaben should have went in front when a Keith Houston cross found Stephen Hyslop who got to the ball before keeper Ryan Chambers but his toe poke from 10 yards out went wide. Gary Cochrane was next to test Scobie when a rebound from his first attempt fell to him but Scobie was up to the challenge and pushed the ball out for a corner. Lochmaben gradually took control of the game and created several decent openings, unfortunately none were converted. Hyslop, Shane Watson and Laurie Maxwell all could have done better when in good positions. Lochar midfielder Mike McGauchie did find space in the Lochmaben box near the end of the half and he had time to pick his spot but again Scobie was in the right position and Lochar’s best chance of the first period was gone. Referee Sandy McNay blew the halftime whistle
with the game scoreless.
It didn’t take long in the second half for Lochmaben to go in front. A long ball from Russell Paisley to Hyslop saw the striker miss the ball completely but the loose ball ran through to Watson who rifled his shot high into the top corner from 16 yards out. This was to be Lochmaben’s last chance for some time as Lochar slowly but surely started to increase the pressure. McGauchie had several opportunities to test Scobie but didn’t find the target. With 20 minutes remaining Lochar equalised when substitute Ross Woodward’s cross found Brown at the back post who fired home from a tight angle. Striker Terry Jardine then had a great chance to put Lochar in front as he attempted to chip the ball over Scobie but didn’t get enough on the ball and the keeper gratefully collected. Lochmaben responded when substitute Dougie McRobert forced Chambers into a good save from close range. Hyslop had another long range shot which went wide before Lochar had the last decent chance of normal time. A neat turn inside gave McGauchie space at the edge of the box but his curling shot had too much on it and the ball flew harmlessly over the bar.
In the first period of extra time Willie Dempster who worked hard throughout had the first chance to break the deadlock as he beat his marker in the box but dragged his shot wide. McRobert then put his side in front after he latched onto a long ball from Shaun Johnstone and fired in an angled shot which beat the keeper at the near post. Lochar responded and manufactured several opportunities, none were taken and they were caught on the break when MRobert found fellow substitute James Rogerson who turned his marker and fired home to make it 3-1. Lochar were then reduced to 10 men and it was no surprise that they conceded two more in the second period of extra time. The first came from Houston who sidefooted home from 8 yards out, the second from McRobert who drew the keeper out before slotting home as he got his second of the match.
Sponsor Colin McBurnie of Colin’s Carpets asked his daughters Simone and Erin to do the presentations and a delighted captain Russell Paisley accepted the trophy on behalf of his side. The man of the match award deservedly went to Keith Houston who worked tirelessly in midfield. The league committee thanked match officials Sandy McNay, Robert Morrison and Wullie Vivers who officiated the match well. The committee also would like to thank Annan Athletic F.C. who provided Galabank for the match.
Lochmaben Celebrate with sponsors Simone and Erin McBurnie
Captain Russell Paisley recieves the cup from Simone and Erin McBurnie
Man of the Match Keith Houston
Lochar Before the Game
Lochmaben Before the Game