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East Region (308)
Heenan the hero as Fairmuir lift Ross Ballantine Cup
Written by Andrew CreeganFairmuir clinched the Ross Ballantine Cup at the expense of rivals Riverside. Harrison Smith gave Fairmuir the first half lead only for Aiden McDougal to bring Riverside level.
Blair Fyffe put Fairmuir ahead from the penalty spot before Stuart Heenan fired home Fairmuir’s third late on.
These side’s both boast a win a piece from their two league meetings and both knew the importance of the opening goal. Jayden Burnett saw Declan McCallum keep out his curling free kick before Odin Chalmers shot wide.
Blair Fyffe had Fairmuir’s first openings but neither resulted an effort that troubled Jacob Kerrigan in the Riverside goal.
There was little separating the side’s in the opening exchanges, but it was Fairmuir that got their noses in front after 26 minutes. Harrison Smith appeared to have over hit his cross from the right, but the ball sailed over the head of Kerrigan and into the net. It may have been a tad fortunate, but Fairmuir had found the all-important opener.
Jay Foran’s double fired Ferry Athletic to the Presidents League title at the expense of Fairmuir. The striker netted either side of Ross Fordyce’s volley as Ferry wrapped up the title with a game to spare.
A shock defeat to Monifieth Tayside meant Fairmuir had to win to keep their title hopes alive and they had two chances in the opening minute as Errol Vela was denied by David Beattie before Jaden Murphy dragged a shot wide.
Ross Bell penalty appeal was waved away when he went down inside the Ferry box. The ball eventually fell for Vela who could only shoot wide.
At the other end, Andy Kelly volleyed over after gathering Logan Irvine’s pass before firing over from Blair McCord’s cut back.
The opener did come for Ferry shortly after as Jay Foran powered his way into the box before sliding a shot underneath Steven Connor.
Beattie was deputising between the sticks for Ferry due to an injury picked up by Stewart Linton when the two sides met in the Peter MacAvoy Cup final, and he pulled off a fine fingertip save to keep out Ryan Scobie’s header.
Things nearly went from bad to worse for Fairmuir when Blair McCord pounced on a loose ball and went through one-on-one with Connor, but the Ferry man waited too long to pull the trigger allowing Ryan Bannon to deny him with a perfectly timed challenge.
Ferry break Broughty hearts in John Clark Motors Cup final
Written by Andrew CreeganGoals from Brandon Donnelly and Ewan Stewart clinched the John Clark Motors Cup for Ferry Athletic as they came from behind to beat Broughty United, who opened the scoring through Callum Howe.
Both meetings of these sides in the league ended in draws and there was little between them in the opening stages. Brandon Donnelly flashed a free kick wide as Ferry looked for the opening goal.
Ferry were seeing most of the ball but couldn’t test Gregor Tweed in the Broughty goal. With 22 minutes gone, Broughty opened the scoring.
A corner was missed by Kieran Barron and fell to Callum Howe, whose cross-cum-shot was misjudged by Connor Milton and ended up in the net.
Ferry’s response was almost instant as a long free kick broke to Louie Porter, but his close-range effort was kept out by Tweed. At the other end, Liam Clark went close with a free kick from 25 yards.
With half time approaching Ferry went close to grabbing the equaliser. Porter picked out Greg Breen with a cross, who played the ball into the path of William Banyard, whose shot was blocked by a defender, before being met by Ewan Stewart, but his header was straight at Tweed.
Monifieth do the double with victory over Pitfour
Written by Andrew CreeganMonifieth Athletic picked up their second cup of the season thanks to a 2-1 win over Pitfour in the final of the Jean Pierre Babin Cup.
The G Taylor League leaders beat the same opponents by the same score line in the final of the Tommy Clark Trophy earlier in the season and goals from Greg Will and Aiden Lorente ensured the same outcome, despite Ally Alcorn puling one back for Pitfour.
These sides have had no shortage of football in recent weeks, and it was Pitfour that made a promising start to the final. Ross Cameron picked out Kai Finnie with a low cross, but the forward saw his effort blocked by a Monifieth defender.
Ben Clos shot wide after 18 minutes before Ally Alcorn saw a tame strike held by Thomas Welsh. Monifieth were offering little in attacking sense but were coping with Pitfour’s pressure.
Welsh made kept out a strike from Kairn Brand on the half hour mark before the Pitfour man made an important interception at the other end as he dealt with Aiden Lorente’s cut back.
St John's worthy champions with big win over Harris Academy
Written by Calum McCafferyFerry double puts Monifieth on cusp of G Taylor League title
Written by Andrew CreeganArran Ferry’s double put Monifieth on the verge of the G Taylor League title as they inflicted Fairmuir’s first league defeat of the season.
Monifieth knocked Fairmuir out of both domestic cups earlier in the season and nearly opened the scoring after eight minutes when Greg Will headed the ball towards goal, but Liam Hunt was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Both these sides boast strong defensive records, meaning cleat cut chances were few and far between in the opening stages. Fairmuir’s Jamie McCann dragged a shot wide after a run from midfield.
Monifieth were nearly gifted the opener after 32 minutes when they pounced on a slack goal kick, but Arran Ferry didn’t capitalise as he fired a weak shot straight at Shaun Watt.
The striker did find the net two minutes later after being released by Elliot McCafferty. Ferry slotted past the oncoming Watt to hand Monifieth the lead.
Fairmuir leave it late to clinch Peter MacAvoy Cup
Written by Andrew CreeganA late penalty from Ross Bell clinched the Peter MacAvoy Cup for Fairmuir Violet. Gary Scobie had Fairmuir ahead with a thunderous first half free kick but Blair McCord levelled seven minutes after half time.
With five minutes to go, Bell was fouled inside the Ferry box and slotted home the penalty to secure Fairmuir the cup and keep their treble dream alive.
These two sides occupy first and second spot in the Presidents League, and it was Fairmuir that started brightest in their search for the opening goal. Ryan McLaren was twice denied by Stewart Linton in the opening stages.
Losing the influential Rory Faulkner early on didn’t help Ferry’s cause. Long range efforts from Andy Kelly and Tom Banyard didn’t trouble Steven Connor in the Fairmuir goal. Robbie Gallacher met a Ryan Scobie free kick after 26 minutes but couldn’t steer his header on target.
Scobie netted a free kick 12-months ago when these sides contested the Henry Dolan Cup final, and it was his left foot that rewarded Fairmuir for their efforts seven minutes before half time. The defender curled home a free kick from 25 yards that Ferry keeper Stewart Linton couldn’t keep out.
Linton was called into action moments later to keep out Cameron Tansey’s volley from a tight angle. The goalkeeper was quick to pounce on the rebound with McLaren looking to capitalise from the loose ball.
Ross Bell had been a thorn in Ferry’s side for most of the first half, and he nearly set up Gallacher for Fairmuir’s second, but Ross Fordyce managed to make a last-ditch block to deny the midfielder.
Rampant Celtic flatten Kirrie in Reilly Falconer Cup final
Written by Andrew CreeganCeltic Boys put on a scintillating display as they downed Kirrie Thistle in the final of the Reilly Falconer Cup. Ben Barclay opened the scoring for the DS Rennie League leaders in the first half, with a header from Jake McHugh doubling their advantage in the second half. Imran Madugu made sure of the win with a late brace.
These sides occupy first and second spot in the DS Rennie League and both came flying out the traps looking to strike first. Campbell Stevenson found Imran Madugu inside the box early on, but the big striker could only strike the ball against the base of the post.
Kirrie scored six times as they lifted the Dundee West Anniversary cup six weeks earlier, and they were nearly gifted the opener after 10 minutes. Celtic keeper Callum Angus kicked the ball into Sam Ellis who with the goal gaping lifted the ball over the bar from 15 yards.
It was a big chance gone begging for the Angus side, who were nearly punished moments later as Jake McHugh’s cross landed at the feet of Stevenson a matter of yards from goal, but he mishit his effort.
With 17 minutes gone, Celtic were presented a golden chance to take the lead as James Downie was taken down inside the box. Madugu stepped up, but his spot kick was kept out by Rory Davidson, who pushed the ball over the bar.
Celtic continued their pressure on the Kirrie goal and saw a corner fall to McHugh seven yards from goal, but he volleyed over.
Eventually, the pressure told, and Celtic broke the deadlock. Madugu found Ben Barclay on the left and he powered his way into the box before slipping the ball past Davidson at the near post.
McHugh went close to adding a second for Celtic six minutes later when he beat Zak Innes to a bouncing ball in the box, but his effort came back off the bar and into the arms of Davidson. Madugu headed a free kick narrowly wide just before half time.
St Andrews stun Carnoustie in J Cord Cup final
Written by Andrew CreeganSt Andrews Colts completed one of the most astonishing comebacks in DDYFA history as they fought back from 4-0 down to beat Carnoustie Panmure on penalties and lift the J Cord Cup.
These sides occupy opposite ends of the Bodycare Complimentary Clinics League table, with Carnoustie chasing the title while St Andrews prop up the league. Despite that, the sides were evenly matched in the opening stages. Lewis Fairbarn flashed a header wide for St Andrews after 21 minutes.
After an encouraging opening, St Andrews fell behind on the half hour mark. Vincent Edmonds robbed Blair Myles and made no mistake with a composed finish past Lyall Constable.
Constable was made a routine save from Kieran Bradford’s free kick before keeping out Matthew Strachan’s near post effort.
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Elation for East Fife Youth Academy with Spring Cup win
Written by Calum McCafferyEast Craigie Swifts sink Ferry in seven-goal thriler
Written by Andrew CreeganEast Craigie Swifts saw off Ferry Athletic to clinch the Elwood Trophy. Matt Mckinnon opened the scoring early on, before Hayden Burr headed past his own keeper to bring Ferry level.
Burr soon made amends with a first half double that put East Craigie in the driving seat. Aiden Mcirvine netted East Craigie’s fourth in between a double from Ferry’s Cameron Murray.
These sides have occupied first and second spot in the Dave Pullar league for most of the season, but it was East Craigie who struck first with 80 seconds on the clock. A low cross from the left was turned home by Matt Mckinnon for his 20th goal of the season.
East Craigie were clearly in the mood, but a series of early shots all failed to trouble Ferry stopper Robert Black. With 11 minutes played, Ferry were level. Jamie Chalmers delivered a free kick from deep, and East Craigie defender Hayden Burr could only head the ball past Charlie Kennedy.
Both teams were struggling to get into a rhythm early on with the referee continually stopping play for a series of niggling fouls. East Craigie did go back in front after 24 minutes.
A free kick was played into Reece Lornie, whose shot deflected into the path of Burr at the edge of the box and he fired the ball into the net despite the efforts of Chris Mudie on the line.
Max Flucker went close to adding a third for East Craigie after exchanging passes with Mckinnon, but he shot wide. At the other end, James Lawrie didn’t trouble Kennedy with a free kick from 25 yards.
Five minutes from the break, East Craigie were given a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Finlay Baird was bundled over in the box, and Burr made no mistake with the resulting penalty, drilling it into the bottom left corner.
St Andrews Colts survive late scare to end 24-year trophy drought
Written by Andrew CreeganSt Andrews Colts survived a late scare from Maryfield United to clinch the Mac Brown Cup and end the club's 24-year wait for silverware. Gary McDermott and Harry Martin had the Fife side two to the good, but Joe Wallace pulled one back for Maryfield late on.
Harry Paul put St Andrews 3-1 up but there was enough time remaining for Innes Urquhart to pull back another goal for Maryfield, but it wasn’t enough as Saints clinched the cup.
St Andrews had taken just one point from their two league matches against Maryfield but got off to the perfect start when Gary McDermott opened the scoring after six minutes. Harry Paul delivered a free kick from the right that was misjudged by Maryfield keeper Aiden Stewart, which allowed McDermott to force the ball over the line from close range.
Aiden Stewart made amends for his error at the goal two minutes later when he denied Callum West. Harry Martin released West, but Stewart denied him one-on-one.
Both sides were trying to find their rhythm after a frantic opening to the match, meaning clear-cut chances were at a premium. Evin Stewart dragged a shot wide after a solo run, while at the other end, Paul curled a shot into the arms of Aiden Stewart.
Magic minute secures Fairmuir three points against Ferry
Written by Andrew CreeganTwo goals in the space of a minute were enough for Fairmuir to see of Ferry Athletic in the Maryfield League. Matthew Nelson hooked in the opener before Rory Jagusinski curled in a second late in the second half, as Fairmuir continued to chip away at Dryburgh’s lead at the top of the table.
Both sides were in midweek action for the second time this week. Fairmuir picked up a 3-1 win over Dryburgh while Ferry played out a 1-1 draw against neighbours and cup final opponents Broughty United.
Fairmuir goalkeeper Cammy Hendry was caught out by the swirling wind as he dropped a cross at the feet of Jake Stewart, but the keeper flung himself at the striker’s feet and diverted the ball to safety. At the other end, Connor Milton produced a fine diving save to keep out Jamie Timmons’s free kick.
Logan Bonella nearly opened the scoring when the Milton inadvertently hit the ball off the Fairmuir striker, but the keeper’s blushes were spared as the ball flashed past the post.
The effects of so much football in such a short space of time was clear amongst both sets of players as neither side was able to get into any kind of rhythm. Fairmuir did break the deadlock four minutes from the break. The ball fell to Matthew Nelson at the edge of the box, and he hooked it up and over Milton into the net.
The hosts wasted no time in adding a second as Ethan Samson stole the ball 25 yards from goal and rather than go himself slipped in Rory Jagusinski. The former Broughty United man made no mistake with the finish, curling the ball into the side netting.