Lochmaben Make It Three In A Row
Lochmaben made it three cup final victories in a row when they defeated Maxwelltown Thistle 4-2 in the Lochar Inn sponsored Burns Cup final on Friday night. The final, played at the Barony with the help of Lochar Thistle was probably the pick of the finals played so far this season.
Maxwelltown looked the brighter team in the early stages and should really have done better with several decent chances in the first twenty minutes. Joe Jardine saw his weak header easily save by Craig Lauder after some nice build up play, Sandy Kennedy shot wide from a good position again after a decent build up and Kennedy another chance but failed to capitalise. In between Lochmaben’s best openings came from a couple of long range free kicks from captain Russell Paisley.
The breakthrough when it came saw Lochmaben take the lead and was due to a defensive mistake by a Maxwelltown defender. Steven Hyslop picked up the loose ball and rounded keeper Duncan Purdie for an easy goal. Maxwelltown countered with an excellent move down the right involving Ross Halliday and Sandy Kennedy which saw Jardine’s shot well saved by Lauder. Gary White then scorned a good chance to make it two nil when he headed over from close range after some indecision by Purdie. Just before halftime Lochmaben increased their lead. A sliderule pass from Hyslop found Shane Watson in space down the left hand side. The midfielder controlled well and directed a sidefoot shot across Purdie into the far corner. Maxwelltown fought back but failed to test Lauder and the halftime whistle came with Lochmaben two goals to the good.
The second half started with a good chance for Hyslop to make it three but his shot from 16 yards went the wrong side of the post. Thistle continued to take the game to Lochmaben and Halliday was played through by Kennedy but the ball took a bad bounce and Halliday scuffed his shot wide. Maxwelltown’s pressure paid off after a mix up in the Lochmaben defence was never cleared and Jardine smashed the ball home from 8 yards out to reduce the deficit. Stefan Ramsay then fired in a fierce shot from 20 yards out after the ball was cleared from a Thistle corner.
On the hour Halliday scored with a fine header from a well taken Kennedy free kick to make it 2-2 and it looked like Thistle were starting to believe the game was going their way. However it was Lochmaben who increased the pressure and Watson and Hyslop both had chances to restore their side’s lead but both attempts failed to hit the target. Hyslop then put his side in front again when he drove down the left and looked to be lining up for a cross, he saw Purdie move to cover that option but he then fired in a fine shot low front post shot. Purdie got his hand to it but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line. Thistle tired and with 8 minutes remaining substitute James Rogerson made the result safe with a powerful shot from 14 yards out to make it 4-2.
After the match secretary Graham Lockhart thanked everyone for a fine cup final. Russell Paisley was presented with the cup from sponsor XXXX. He also thanked the match officials, David Kirk, Donald McGuffie and Wullie Vivers who all had a decent match. Man of the Match honours went to Steven Hyslop.
Russell Paisley collects the cup from the sponsor
Man of the match Steven Hyslop
Lochmaben collect their medals
Maxwelltown collect their medals
Maxwelltown before the game
Match Officials - Davie Kirk, Donald McGuffie and Wullie Vivers