League Cup 2009/2010
Uppers Come Out Tops in League Cup Final
Upper Annandale lifted the John Pagan and Son League Cup on Friday night when they defeated cup holders Lochar Thistle 4-2. The Moffat side got off to a perfect start when midfielder Ryan Johnstone fired home an unstoppable free kick in third minute. With the impetus in their side Uppers took the game to Thistle for the first 10 minutes and were unlucky not to go two up in the 10th minute when Neil Roddick shot wide after a neat Scott Campbell turn and layoff. This set the tone for the early part of the game but Lochar also carried a threat on the counter but failed to test keeper Jardine. The match settled into a midfield battle and it wasn’t until the 24th that Lochar had their first serious attempt at goal. John Howie the man on target but his header was too close to the keeper and it was easily dealt with. A couple of minutes later Lochar had their best chance to level matters. Uppers keeper Jardine denied Lochar twice with an excellent double save, firstly from William Dempster shot and then again from Mike McGauchie from the rebound. Lochar took the initiative and continue to press and Howie again tested the keeper with a header. Uppers did have their chances the best of which fell to goalscorer Johnstone who fired over from 18 yards on the half hour mark. Lochar keeper Alan Gordon did well denying Michael Swan when he came swiftly off his line. Lochar had two more chances just before the halftime whistle. Both coming falling to Howie, the first of which saw him miss an open goal and the second saw him denied by an excellent last ditch tackle from Peter Pagan.
Lochar continued their dominance into the second half and the game settled with the Locharbriggs side searching for the equaliser. Uppers did have their moments though, Ryan Johnstone the most likely to add to his tally. Lochar for all their pressure failed to seriously test Uppers keeper Jardine and looked to be running out of ideas when they scored. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute, Howie received the ball at the back post and his deflected shot finished up in the far corner of the net. This should have been the platform for them to push on for the winner but it was not to be. A minute after the equaliser they were behind again. A poor defensive header was punished when Michael Swan ran through onto a Neil Roddick pass to sidefoot home from 12 yards out. Lochar were rattled and Kevin Jack had the chance to give his side a two goal lead but a great defensive block denied him. Uppers kept the pressure on and Roddick made no mistake after Jack put him through after more defensive slackness. Lochar grabbed a lifeline in the 84th minute with a well taken goal by substitute Trevor Campbell. Uppers rounded the scoring off a minute from the end when Jack made it 4-2 with a neat finish.
Lochar Thistle can justifiably feel a little aggrieved at the final scoreline but Uppers have got used to winning this season and they stuck to the task at hand and ground out the victory. Both teams certainly showed their commitment and the officials were kept busy especially in the second half. The man of the match went to Uppers midfielder Grant Watson who had a fine game. Ryan Johnstone and Ian Jardine also stood out for the Moffat team. For Lochar midfielders John Howie and Craig Jones were the pick of the bunch. The match was well officiated by Donald McGuffie and assistants Jim Thomson and Steven Grier.
The Cup was presented to winning captain Grant Watson by Kenny Hope on behalf of the sponsors John Pagan and Sons. The league would also like to thank Matchetts Electricians for sponsoring the match ball.
Uppers Captain Grant Watson recieves the Cup from Kenny Hope representing sponsors John Pagan and Son
A disappointed Lochar look on during cup presentation.
Match officials recieve their medals