Cumnock lose out in Scottish Junior Cup Final

Jun 2 2008 By Michael Pringle

5000 fans left disappointed by controversial late winner

AROUND 5000 Cumnock fans travelled to Rugby Park in Kilmarnock yesterday, hoping to see their team lift the Scottish Junior Cup.

There was a real carnival atmosphere with many of the 'Nock' fans dressed for the occasion. Ultimately, the fans were left disappointed as Bathgate Thistle scored two late goals to take the cup.

The first half, with Cumnock having the edge territorially, failed to spark to life. The first real chance came in 37 minutes when a Henderson corner was headed over by McLay.

Cumnock went in front right on the stroke of half time when Richie Barr latched onto a headed flick from a long through ball to rifle an unstoppable volley into the goalkeeper's top right hand corner.

Bathgate looked a different team in the second half and took the game to Cumnock almost from the first whistle. It still looked as if Cumnock might be able to keep the Bathgate forwards at bay but Paul McGrillen was proving to be a handful. He managed to put the ball in the 'Nock' net after 67 minutes but it was ruled out as referee Colvin adjudged the Thistle forward to have committed a foul.

Two minutes later Barr won a corner which resulted in a shot from Campbell being blocked by the Bathgate defence.

McGrillen looked a cert to score when he popped up at the back post after 74 minutes but somehow the ball went past for a corner. Goalkeeper Potter flapped at the resultant corner but Cumnock again managed to clear their lines. Three minutes later the match was all square, Bathgate threw a ball in from the left, Menmuir rose and headed towards goal, Alan Neill got the final touch and suddenly it looked as if the match might be heading for extra time. Menmuir was carried off injured before the match restarted and was later credited with the goal.

Bathgate had other ideas, in 83 minutes McGrillen worked a great one-two with Stephen Docherty before lifting the ball over the keeper and towards the goal line. With the Cumnock defenders rushing back towards their own goal it looked as if they had managed to prevent it crossing the line but the main-stand assistant signalled a goal much to the disdain of the Cumnock bench.

The Ayrshire team failed to produce any real chances of note in the remaining minutes and their massive support in the crowd of 6,117 will have to wait at least another year before tasting Scottish Cup glory.

More reaction from Sunday's Scottish Junior Cup Final and some great action shots in your Ayrshire Post this week.