Dumfries and District Amateur Football League

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Lochar Thistle continued their recent dominance over Upper Annandale with a 3-1 victory in the Junior Blues sponsored Queen of the South Cup final at Palmerston on Friday night.  A lightning two goal blitz in the first five minutes meant that Thistle didn’t have to take the initiative for the remainder of the game and with Uppers not at their best on the night the match didn’t live up to the pre-match expectations.

Lochar struck their first blow in the second minute. A superb crossfield ball from Kieren Krause found Terry Jardine in space and the striker who has had a great season so far fired in a super shot that sailed over keeper Scott Porteous’ head into the far corner of the net. Uppers were still stunned when Lochar added a second a few minutes later. An inswinging corner from Jim Brown was headed into his own net by defender David McDowall. It took a shell shocked Uppers team 10 minutes to recover but once they had regained their composure they took the game to Lochar for the remainder of the half.

Uppers best chance of a goal looked to be from set pieces. Marc Leighfield went close several times with headers from corners and free kicks but only once got one on target. This was blocked on the line and eventually cleared by midfielder Jim Brown. Despite the Moffat side having the territorial advantage Lochar had the occasional counter attack the best of which saw a good run and cross down the right by Dale Talaszko but Terry Jardine full of confidence, attempted a difficult volley which ended up high and wide of the mark. Right on halftime Uppers could have pulled one back when Scot Campbell should have done better with a header from 7 yards out after Darren Ferbie had turned his marker and delivered a perfect cross.

Overall the second half was a much more even affair with both sides having periods of ascendency. However neither team could string too many passes together to take advantage and exert any consistent pressure although Lochar did have more possession in the Uppers half. Early in the second half Grant Watson drove into Lochar’s box and looked to be in a good position to shoot but a last gasp challenge from a defender snuffed the chance out and referee Wullie Vivers waved away Uppers penalty claims. Neither team created too much before Gary Cochrane wrapped it up for Lochar with a well taken goal on the hour. Mike McGauchie had time and space in the box and slipped past a defender and was about to shoot but was closed down by defender Ross Dawson forcing him to lay the ball off to Cochrane at the edge of the box. The midfielder made no mistake with a powerful shot which flew high into the top corner.

Substitute Justin Borthwick managed a consolation goal for the Moffat side when he headed home a Michael Swan corner from close range with 5 minutes remaining. Over the piece Lochar deserved their win with their lightning start being the key factor. It has to be said that both sides failed to play to their potential which meant that overall the match wasn’t a great spectacle. After the match league secretary Graham Lockart thanked both sides for their efforts as well as thanking the sponsors and Queen of the South for the use of Palmerston. Lochar captain for the night Mike McGauchie accepted the cup from Finlay Currie who represented sponsors the Junior Blues Club. The Man of the Match award deservedly went to Lochar defender Craig Jones who was excellent on the night.