Cleghorn cracker clinches the Waddell Cup

Earlston Rhymers 2 Stow 3 (after extra time)

Kenny Paterson at WS Happer Park

STOW sub Gary Cleghorn was the Waddell Cup hero as his extra time strike ensured the Villagers retained the trophy.

But the Division A side were given an almighty scare by Division B strugglers Earlston Rhymers, who led twice in an entertaining finale to the Border Amateur League season.

Stow manager Fraser Riddell was a relieved man at full time, and paid tribute to both sides’ endeavours over the 120 minutes.

Riddell said: “I was delighted by the effort from my team.

“I thought both sides gave everything but we showed a lot of heart to come back twice.

“We were poor in the first half but played at a better tempo in the second half.

“We have had a tough season but tonight’s result makes it all worthwhile.”

It was going to be difficult to match the drama of Stow’s Waddell Cup win 12 months ago, when they defeated Leithen Rovers 9-8 on penalties.

But this final was equally tense, with some quality goals mixed in with mistakes and injury problems.

The opening exchanges were far from exciting, with both sides looking nervous.

Callum Gass went close after a weaving run into Earlston’s penalty box resulted in his shot being saved by David Catlin.

Catlin was in action again when Scott Hunter latched onto a short back pass, but the veteran keeper made a fine save at the striker’s feet.

Instead it was the Rhymers who took a shock lead on 24 minutes after a catalogue of mistakes by Stow allowed Craig Pinnons to chip keeper Tom Kerr and slide the ball into the empty net.

Stow looked shocked and failed to threaten Earlston’s solid backline before the break, with centre halves Bruce Hunter and Doug Henry and Catlin behind them easily dealing with their opponents attacks.

That would change just one minute into the second half as Ewan Riddell scored his first goal of the season with a header past Catlin from a Jay Wilson free kick.

Earlston then lost Hunter to a head knock, and all of a sudden Stow started to dominate.

But Rhymers struck again on 63 minutes with a stunning goal. Steve Kinghorn managed to flick the ball up with one foot and volley the ball high past Tom Kerr with the other from 25 yards to send Earlston wild again.

The lead only last seven minutes though. Another fine strike, this time from Stow centre half Pawel Marszalek struck a low 20 yard shot into the bottom corner.

Play was delayed after a head clash between Ewan Riddell and Kinghorn yet by the time 90 minutes came round, a winner had still not arrived.

But as extra time began, it became clear Earlston’s efforts in normal time had taken its toll on the players.

It was not a surprise when Stow went ahead for the first time on 95 minutes, as Cleghorn’s sweet low shot found the net, and they comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to lift the Waddell Cup again.

Earlston boss Craig Bell was downbeat at full time but acknowledged his team’s fine form in the second half of the season gives him confidence for next season.

He said: “At Christmas we had three points and looked relegated but since then we have climb up league and got to Waddell Cup final.

“We need to continue that form into next season and push ourselves up the table.”

Earlston Rhymers: D. Catlin, B. Herbert, L. Martin, D. Henry, B. Hunter (S. Chapman 57), N. Olesen, S. Kinghorn, C. Lothian, C. Pinnons, N. Laidlaw (J. Thomson 45), S. Quinn (K. Robertson 80)

Stow: T. Kerr, C. Wood, E. Riddell (C. Riddell 98), P. Marszalek, G. Wood, B. McGregor (D. Fraser 74), J. Runciman, J. Wilson, J. Crawford (J. Kerr 85), S. Hunter, C. Gass (G. Cleghorn 65).