Dumfries and District Amateur Football League

Lochar Thistle rounded off a fine season when they lifted Lochar Inn sponsored Burns Cup, defeating league champions Upper Annandale 3-2 after extra time on Saturday. The final was played at the excellent Enterprise Park, Heathhall, home of Lochar Thistle Youths FC in weather more suited to a day at the beach than a game of football.

In the early stages both sides took time to settle much of the play occurring in the middle third of the park. Lochar managed the first attempt at goal when James Rogerson tried his luck from long range. John Howie was the had a much better chance when his run and dribble  saw him free in the box but his shot was weak and Uppers keeper Ian Jardine collected easily.

Alan Gordon in goal for Lochar had to be on his toes to tip a Kevin Jack header over the bar as Uppers mounted their first meaningful attack in the 10^th minute.  From the corner David McDowall headed back across the 6 yard box to fellow defender Ross Dawson who saw his goal bound shot was tipped onto the bar by Gordon. Uppers kept the pressure up encouraged by the nervous looking Lochar defence. Lochar nearly caught Uppers out when a quickly taken free kick lead to William Dempster  finding space to move in on goal but he dithered and the Uppers defence got back to clear the danger.

Uppers were still in the ascendency when they took the lead in the 27^th minute. A free kick from 35 yards out was delivered on top of the keeper who under pressure made a hash of hi punch clear. The ball fell to Jack at the edge of the box who turned well and fired the ball home from 14 yards out.

Neither team created much in the way of clear cut chances and the game became bogged down in midfield for a spell and Uppers looked the more likely to add to their lead as Lochar wasted possession in the final third too many times. Jim Brown did manage to get a shot away after a nice passing move but his shot was wide of the mark.  

Half time came with Uppers much the happier team. Lochar made a key change at halftime replacing striker Rogerson with veteran defender Kevin McQueen.  It took a while for Lochars change to settle and Uppers kept the pressure on with a Glen Jardine shot and a Michael Swan chance both of which were easily collected by Gordon.  Mike McGauchie worked the ball wide to Terry Jardine and sprinted into the box to get onto the end of Jardine’s cross but his header went wide as he was challenged by Dawson. In the 50^th minute Uppers went 2-0 up when a Kevin Jack free kick from 25 yards out was blocked by the wall. The ball defelected to Mark Leighfield who with his back to goal improvised with a back heeled pas across the 6 yard line. Michael Swan was on hand to sidefoot home.

Lochar could have folded but they re-doubled their efforts and were nearly rewarded when Trevor Campbell was put through on goal by McGauchie but he inexplicably squared the ball to Dempster when he looked odds on to score. Dempster was closed down and the chance was gone. McGauchie was in the action again and his run a dribble saw him get behind the Uppers defence for the first time in the game. He is normally reliable in one on one situations and he fired a shot wide of keeper Jardine to get Lochar back in the game.

Lochar had their tails up and Campbell got free again on the left. This time Jardine was up to the task and he produced a good save to maintain his side’s lead. Uppers then had a penalty shout when Gordon and Ryan Johnstone tangled but the referee waved play on.  Campbell then had another chance to tie the game. Free again on the left his shot was saved by Jardine with his feet.  Uppers still created the odd chance with Grant Watson slicing a shot wide from a promising position.

With time running out Lochar equalised and again the scorer was McGuachie. A Terry Jardine throughball found McGauchie who then fired a low shot into the corner from 12 yards out.  Uppers had one more chance to win the game before the end of normal time but Jack scuffed his shot.

Extra time in the heat was not what either team wanted. Lochar had their tails up though and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead. Terry Jardine found McGauchie yet again and the midfielder made no mistake from 14 yards out. As expected Uppers responded and in the second half of extra time put the Lochar defence under pressure. Watson and Leighfield both had chances but keeper Gordon was up to the task and Lochar held out till the final whistle.

After the match Graham Lochart thanked both teams for an entertaining final. He also thanked Lochar Thistle Youths for the use of the park which to their credit must be one of the best in the region at any level.  Jo Caskie of the Lochar Inn presented the trophies with captain for the day Alan Gordon receiving the cup on behalf of Lochar. The man of the match award went to Mike McGauchie  for his superb hattrick.

 

Lochar celebrate after the presentation.

Jo Caskie and Lochar captain Alan Gordon