Ecstasy for Leithen Rovers

0 - 0 • Published 29 May 2009 11:52 0 Comments

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Chirnside 2 v 3 Leithen Rovers

MAKING amends was the name of the game on Saturday in the Beveridge Cup final at Greenlaw.

Leithen Rovers narrowly missed out on snatching away the Border Amateur A Division from Chirnside by four goals only days before the showdown.

And a late final comeback from the Innerleithen side brought a smile back to the face of co-boss Paul Graham.

He told us: 'We were so close to winning the league, so winning the cup has helped us get over that.

'Chirnside are a good team but I always thought we could come back and win. The boys have showed all season they are capable of winning something and it"s pleasing to finally get our hands on some silverware.'

Rovers could have opened the scoring after only six minutes when Gary Hastie latched onto Derek Scott"s cross but his header was brilliantly palmed away by keeper David Lugget.

Chirnside have been the dominant force in local amateur football this season - having won both the South Cup and Border Cup on top of the league - and they also created a few early chances with Jordan Taylor and Graeme Turner going close.

Turner, who was on Stirling Albion"s books a few years ago, eventually broke the deadlock on 20 minutes with a spectacular curling free kick into the far corner.

Leithen Roversw commanded plenty of possession but they had to wait until the 53rd minute to pull level. A harmless Hastie shot slipped through the fingers of Luggett and spilled out for a corner that Andy Laurie met with a glancing header to score.

Both teams threw caution to the strong Greenlaw wind as they searched for a winner.

Crwaford saved well from Taylor at one end while Robin Shek volleyed a Hastie cross against the bar at the other.

Chrinside edged in front again on 70 minutes when Lauder's trickery allowed him enough room to cross for substitute Jack Windram to blast home from close range.

But it was Rovers who finished the strongest with Colin Smith proving the inspiration for victory.

The industrious midfielder collected a Hastie backheel on 81 minutes to swing in a perfect cross for Shek to head into the net for an equaliser.

And with only five minutes remaining Smith again darted down the right to fire in a strong cross for Tosh Fleming to head downwards and beyond Luggett.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 29 May 09

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