Johnstone Burgh v Whitburn

Johnstone started the brighter of the two sides, forcing an early corner which was pushed past the post. In two minutes they were in front from a free kick just outside the box, Clouston booked for tripping the Johnstone man. Lindsay took the free which seemed to swerve visciously and floated into Burns' goal with him seeming to totally misjudge the flight. After this shock start Whitburn seemed in determined mood and settled into their game with some good passing movements. On 11 minutes Clouston sent in a low swerving shot from outside the box which the keeper saved well. Eleven minutes later Milne sent in a cross from the left which Hume headed goalwards, but Donahoe saved well. In 30 minutes another Hume header went over. After 38 minutes of play, Milne charged into the box and was brought down, after treatment he took the penalty to bring Whitburn deservedly level. Despite the Whitburn good play during this half, Johnstone looked dangerous on the break.

Whitburn began the second half well, Gilmour getting on the end of a cross only to see the keeper push it out for a corner. Kenny Hannah struck the corner to the far post and Campbell bulleted the ball into the net. From the restart Johnstone struck back with a shot from McLay to stun the Whitburn support. Johnstone almost retook the lead a mere 4 minutes later when Martin shot unchallenged from 35 yards and struck the Burns' left hand post with him beaten. After 14 minutes Frater chased a long through ball which Burns was slow off his line to, but fortunately for Whitburn he blocked the shot. There followed a nervy period in the game with neither team creating many chances of note. After 33 minutes had Prior's diving header connected with a good Gilmour cross then he would surely have scored. Brolly could have sealed it four minutes later for Johnstone, but he headed wide when it seemed easier to score. Shortly afterwards Gilmour struck a beauty from outside the box which Donahoe turned on to his post.

Extra time was not as exciting as the 90 minutes although both teams had a chance. Whitburn first in the shape of Campbell who latched on to a Wilson through ball and, although he beat one defender and the keeper, he took too long to get his shot in. At the other end a Johnstone player spotted Burns off his line and attempted the chip, but he narrowly missed the target. With the game still level, both teams had to endure a penalty shoot out again.

Johnstone went first in the shape of Lindsay who scored. Milne took Whitburn's first and netted. Burns saved Martin's effort to his left so up stepped the experienced Taylor who barely hit his penalty and Donahoe saved easily. The next four penalties found the target - Miller and sub 14 for Johnstone, Clouston and Gilmour for the Burnies. The came the real drama of the day - the final penalties. Sub 12 stepped up, seemed to strike the ground and sent his kick past the left upright. Captain Steve Prior now had to score to send the cup to Whitburn for the first time in their history - under immense pressure he hit his penalty with power and although Donahoe got a hand to it, it struck the back of the net!

Calum Milne was named the sponsors man of the match and Whitburn earned some more money for being the top scorers in the cup this year, with 23.