Glengarry retain Single Team Cup in goal fest final

The third edition of the Single Team Cup Final took place on Saturday 20^th July at Jubilee Park, Ballachulish. Glengarry were the holders going into the game having defeated their present opponents Kilmory 3-0 in the 2023 final. Since then, however, Kilmory had climbed a division and sat top of Mowi South 1 going into the match. Though it was the same teams, Ballachulish was a new location for the final and the pitch was immaculate ahead of throw up with the club’s fancy new self-guided mower relieving some of the hard work for the ground staff.

The first half began with both sides probing for openings. Glengarry had a significant opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half when Stuart Gregory found space at the edge of the D. His shot, a powerful drive, was well-directed but was expertly saved by Kilmory’s goalkeeper, who managed to tip it around the post to keep the score level. This early chance set the tone for what would be a highly competitive match.

Ten minutes later, Glengarry’s goalkeeper, Gordon MacDonald, was called into action. A smart cutback by Kilmory’s Craig Taylor was met first-time by Nairn Jackson, whose low drive aimed for the keeper’s right-hand corner. MacDonald produced a fine save to deny the early goal and keep the scores level heading into the break.

The breakthrough came on the 67-minute mark when Kilmory took the lead. Alec Cunningham capitalised on a saved shot from Craig Taylor, driving the rebound into the bottom corner from the edge of the D. This goal sent the Kilmory supporters into a frenzy as they celebrated a well-earned lead.

However, their joy was short-lived as Glengarry equalised just 90 seconds later. A foul in the D gave Nick Dalgety the opportunity to level the score, and he confidently dispatched the penalty into the keeper’s right, making it 1-1.

Kilmory regained the lead five minutes later. A shot that thundered off the crossbar fell kindly to Nairn Jackson, who made no mistake with the rebound, sweeping the ball into the net to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

Glengarry responded immediately, as Stuart Gregory scored a stunning goal from 8 yards outside the D. Turning sharply, he fired a powerful shot into the keeper’s left, making it 2-2 and setting the stage for a dramatic finale.

With no further goals in normal time, the match moved into extra time, with heavy rain adding to the players’ challenges. Glengarry struck first in extra time, with Nick Dalgety scoring his second penalty of the match just five minutes in. His calm conversion put Glengarry ahead for the first time at 3-2.

As the first half of extra time drew to a close, Brian MacDonald extended Glengarry’s lead to 4-2, delivering a decisive blow to Kilmory’s hopes. Despite their best efforts, Kilmory couldn’t recover, and Dalgety completed his hat-trick with a composed finish ten minutes from the end, rounding off a 5-2 victory for Glengarry.

Though there is no official man of the match award, the Half-Swing Podcast Man of the Match was Kilmory’s Sandy Leiper who showed dogged determination and great skill with his hard running in the centre line.

The match concluded with Glengarry triumphantly lifting the Single Team Cup, presented by Competitions Director Kevin Thain, to the delight of the Invergarry faithful. The victory was a testament to their resilience and tenacity as they overcame both the weather and a good Kilmory side to claim the trophy.