Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
31 July, 2010
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Published:  03 June, 2009

THE first silverware of the season in the Welfare League was bagged by Kingussie, who beat RBL Aviemore 5-3 after extra time on Tuesday.

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A last minute goalmouth scramble saw the Legion's Stuart Scullion's toe nudge the ball over the line to level the McCook Cup final in the dying seconds, and send the match into extra time.

Dougie Langlands and Rory Borthwick, however, made sure that it was the Kings who were crowned as the RBL side started to tire.

The Badenoch side won the toss and elected to play with the bitterly cold wind at their backs.

In the opening minute, RBL broke up the left wing and a great cross found Darren Thomas within the six yard box, but he failed to control his header, which flew over the crossbar.

Kingussie responded and took the lead when a crisp passing move put Borthwick clear and his strike gave RBL goalie Chris Miller little chance.

RBL were back on level terms in the 22nd minute. Alan Docherty's measured cross found Chris Pillans, who netted the ball with a well placed header.

Kingussie remained a danger on the break, but the Legion outfit were making most of the running and took the lead in the 34th minute.

Ross McMonagle broke down the left and crossed the ball to Pillans, who pulled away from his marker to score a carbon copy of his first goal.

Just before the break, Kings' left back Gary McGeoch unleashed a full-blooded drive from 35 yards which whistled over RBL's crossbar.

The Aviemore side started the better after the break and created a number of chances.

Pillans received a free kick, but his effort went just wide of the post. Then a quick exchange between Pillans and Scullion cut through the Kings' defence, with the latter forcing a great save from stopper Cammy Dudgeon.

Kingussie rode their luck and took heart that they were not out of the game. Davie Borthwick started spraying the ball around from midfield, Craig Ireland was industrious on the right and Dougie Landlands was dominating at the back.

A cross found Rory Brown just yards from the goal but his shot went over the crossbar.

The warning signs were there, and it was no surprise when Kingussie equalised as the game entered the last quarter.

A free kick was won 25 yards out and the ball was hit straight at Miller in nets, who only managed to knock it into the path of Davie Borthwick and he headed past the stranded keeper.

With five minutes left on the clock, the Kings thought they had claimed the trophy.

Landlands ventured up to take a long throw and the ball found Ireland, whose flicked header seemed to have won the final – that was until Scullion's late intervention.

The Badenoch side took the lead out of the blue when Langlands over-hit the ball, but Miller misjudged the wind and he only managed to get his fingertips to it as it crept in under the crossbar.

Kingussie were now in control and RBL could not muster a clear chance They sealed the game when Rory Borthwick grabbed his second of the game with an unstoppable free kick straight into the postage stamp from 20 yards out.

I've won more money at other events, but with the history of this tournament it would have to rank as one of my biggest wins.



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