Sun shines on Lochend in Cairns Cup final win

With barely a minute played, Lochend's Jamie Reynolds was in behind the defence and bearing down on goal. He tried to loop the ball over Meadow Star keeper Peter Kay but the stopper blocked well.

Lochend were certainly the more determined and creative side in the early part of the match and with ten minutes gone Dean Walker met a cross but could only head his effort into the grateful hands of Kay. Meadow Star didn't really test the Lochend custodian at the other end of the pitch until the 28th minute. A wicked free-kick from Darren Suddaby was heading just under the crossbar but Christopher Robertson pulled off an outstanding save. It may have been Star's first moment of pressure, but it was the closest either side had come to a goal.

Lochend continued putting pushing Meadow Star though and Walker came close again with a venomous volley which Kay kept hold of on 32 minutes. Then, five minutes later, substitute Matty Hunter managed to chip the advancing Kay, but his strike also cleared the crossbar.

The first half seemed destined to end goal-less as Meadow Star spurned another opportunity. A Paul Suddaby corner was headed towards goal, and Robertson made an excellent diving save before a penalty-box melee ensued. There were strong calls for a possible handball, but nothing was given and Lochend eventually managed to clear the ball away.

The second half also got underway at breakneck speed. Meadow Star found the back of the net just seconds in, but it was ruled offside. Then moments later, Scott Coventry struck the ball over the bar when only yards from the goal. It was a good pass by Hunter and perhaps Coventry was unlucky as the ball bounced awkwardly before his shot.

However, only a minute after Coventry's miss, Lochend finally scored. Jamie Reynolds' shot from outside the box was saved by the keeper but he could only push the ball into the path of Walker who latched on to the loose ball to hit home.

The goal certainly seemed to make the game a more open affair and it paved the way for Lochend to double their lead on the hour mark when Coventry managed to scramble the ball into the net from inside the box. Then, barely a minute later, Walker sealed his brace with an even more impressive second goal.

A free-kick was crossed in from the left side and Coventry connected well to hit the ball home to take his side's lead to 3-0. Things only got worse for Meadow Star after that goal. On 69 minutes Darren Suddaby was sent-off for foul and abusive language, which was aimed at the assistant referee.

Star couldn't muster a clear-cut chance and it was Gavin Shanley who came closest in the latter stages of the match. Yet, his effort posed no real threat and Robertson held the ball comfortably. Andy Coventry, the coach of Lochend, admitted: "We were a little tentative and nervous in the first-half, especially because we didn't score early on, and that was credit to Meadow Star.

"However, at half-time I said we should be more direct, up the tempo and the goal will come, and that was proved right.

"We are all pleased we won and that it was a cup final. As for next season, we have something to build and improve on."

Lochend Amateurs: Christopher Robertson, Myles Seaton, Damien Oataway, Colin Waddell, Ronnie Travers, Brian Murray, Jay Hunter, Liam Stewart, Scott Coventry, Jamie Reynolds, Simon Reilly, Craig Rankin, Peter Mark Keenan, Dean Walker, Matty Hunter, Kenny Smith.

Meadow Star: Peter Kay, William Mclean, John Smith, Steven Noble, Paul Suddaby, Paul Meechan, Keith Murray, Joe Stewart, Darren Suddaby, Derek Meechan, Tristan Roberts, Gavin Shanley, Craig Sheppard, Peter Macdonald.