IT HAS taken them 24 years but Glenafton finally won the Scottish Junior Cup for the second time in their history with a 2-1 Rugby Park victory over Auchinleck Talbot yesterday.

And the manner of their latest triumph made the long wait all the more worthwhile for the Glens supporters in a  near 6200 crowd as they wildly celebrated along with their jubilant players at the end of a pulsating and hugely entertaining clash between the fierce Ayrshire rivals.

Both teams began nervously with safety first the order of the day, however no sooner had the   New Cumnock outfit begun to exert a territorial dominance than they found themselves a goal down nearing the 20-minute mark.

A direct Auchinleck attack sprung from deep in their own half saw Stevie Wilson, released to run at the heart of a back-tracking trio of Glens 
defenders, supported by runs from brother Graham and Keir Milliken either side of him.

And just as Craig Menzies & Co elected to make a stand and put in a challenge, the ball carrying Wilson clipped a pass into Milliken’s path and he took one stride forward before burying a low angular shot into the far corner of the net that left Glens goalkeeper Brian McGarrity helpless.

Matters almost worsened for the Glens shortly afterwards when a divine clipped cross by Bryan Young was headed wide by Dwayne Hyslop from just a few yards range.

Young then shot high over the crossbar as a confident Talbot stayed on the ascendancy, however the midfielder’s next involvement in 26 minutes contributed to a Glenafton equaliser as a mix-up with team mate Willie Lyle allowed Daniel Orsi (later named man of the match) to skip clear on the right wing and send over a deep cross that Cammy Marlowe struck sweetly beyond Talbot keeper Andy Leishman for a 1-1 scoreline. 

No further goals were netted before half-time, though Stevie Wilson came close with a sizzling 30-yard shot that flew inches wide while goalscorer Marlowe almost doubled his tally with a fiercely struck shot that the well-positioned Leishman saved with considerable ease.

The second period saw Glenafton opting to pass the ball around and patiently probe for openings, whereas Auchinleck favoured the more direct route with balls knocked forward to willing forward pair Graham Wilson and Milliken.

Talbot’s front men were soon left cursing, firstly when  Milliken’s low net-bound shot was held at full stretch by McGarrity whose getting into a fankle with team-mate Menzies just minutes later led to a goalscoring opportunity for Wilson only for his first touch to let him down.

Glenafton’s former Talbot striker Mick McCann coming close with a snap header at a corner kick proved his last involvement as he was substituted by Joe Andrew in 72 minutes as the underdogs continued to press for a winning goal.

AND their reward arrived three minutes later when Ally Park fed the ball wide to full back Alan Cairns and the classy full back unleashed a stunning 28 yard drive that flew high into the corner of the net beyond the giant Leishman’ s outstretched hand

“It was my first goal in four years and to get it in the Scottish Final is just unbelievable,” said the goalscorer.

“It was just instinct that made me have a go when the ball came to me and I hit it sweetly though I never actually saw the ball hit the net 
because of bodies coming across me.”

Talbot’s response to falling a goal behind was to introduce attacking substitute Mark Shankland, however he and his team-mates failed to make an impression on a strong Glens backline despite the best 
efforts of midfield playmaker Young for whom defeat him a record sixth winners medal.

He cut a disconsolate figure trooping inside after the trophy presentation and would only say: “You need to hold onto possession on that slick surface and we just didn’t keep the ball well enough.”

SMILING Glens gaffer Craig McEwan said: “I don’t think anyone will deny we were the better footballing side out there today, but Talbot defended for their lives and were both difficult to break down and dangerous on the break.

“It’s a great day and I’m delighted for the players and everyone at with Glenafton.”

Last of the Auchinleck contingent to depart the playing pitch was gaffer Tommy Sloan who was magnanimous in his reflections afterwards.

“No complaints as Glenafton played exceptionally well out there and possibly edged things on the balance of play even though it took a wonder goal to decide the game.

“For our part, I felt we had chances to score more goals but just didn’t take them and that is the story of our season if truth be told.”