Selkirk Victoria 1

Langlee Amateurs 2

David Knox

at Yarrow Park

LANGLEE player-boss Des Sutherland was the first to admit his team were fortunate to reach the final of the Sanderson Cup on Saturday.

The Division C pacesetters came under the cosh during a thrilling second half at Yarrow Park.

And a controversial offside decision in the closing minutes prevented Selkirk Victoria deservedly taking the tie into extra time.

Sutherland told us: “I thought we were fortunate with the offside – it looked like a goal from where I was.

“We didn’t play like we can today and we came up against a quality Selkirk team.

“I thought we maybe shaded the first half but they were better than us in the second half.

“Right now I’m just relived to be through to the final.”

Sutherland’s trickery and vision caused problems for the home team early on.

And the Vics had goalie Greg Fenton to thank for keeping them in the game after making excellent saves to deny both Gary Cleghorn and Sutherland in the opening 10 minutes.

But Selkirk played their way into the match with Ian Gardner barging his way through a couple of challenges to shoot straight at Steven King.

Ryan Clapperton attempted to catch King off his line approaching the half hour with an ambitious effort that sailed over from 35 yards.

Langlee edged in front on 32 minutes with Daniel Bolton brilliantly smashing Douglas Rose’s cut back beyond Fenton.

Selkirk responded well and they were rewarded seven minutes later with Blain Gillie showing great technique to slot the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area.

The Galashiels team, though, finished the half strongest with Fenton denying Sutherland with an alert block as well as Stuart Harkness firing inches wide.

The pressure paid off with Gary Cleghorn firing into the net from close range with the last kick of the half.

Paul Brownlee’s dressing down at half time had the desired effect for the home side.

And only some excellent keeping from King prevented both Cammy Fair and Gillie finding the net.

Ryan Clapperton twice went within inches with powerful, dipping freekicks.

And Ryan Pritchard was just off target with a back post header from a corner.

The best Langlee could muster during the second period was Daniel Cairnie’s well-struck effort that Fenton pushed away.

With only five minutes remaining The Vics thought they had levelled after Shaun Wilson sneaked in at the back post to header over King – but referee Scott Bowers blew for offside.

It was a decision that brought a wave of protests and one that ultimately allowed Langlee passage to their first Sanderson Cup final.

Selkirk Victoria: G Fenton, K Wilkinson, S Wilson, G Brownlee, R Pritchard, J Chambers, I Gardner, B Gillie, C Fair, R Clapperton & S Learmond. Subs D Gardner, M Moody, G Lunn, L Mendoza & T Scott.

Langlee Amateurs: S King, S Harkness, S Mackenzie, M Turnbull, D Rowe, R Noble, D Bolton, J Crawford, D Sutherland, C Campbell & G Cleghorn. Subs D Bond, S Ormiston, D Cairnie, D Tweedie & K Denholm.