Gala Fairyden Colts winner in extra time crowned them champions of the Division 3 League Cup in a thrilling game against Gorebridge United at New Dundas Park on Sunday. Goals from Josh Lamb and Declan Bell meant the Colts led by two at the break. However, strikes from Liam Spencer and Lewis Brannan levelled the scoring. Colts went ahead again with Cammy Finlayson’s strike before Gorebridge put things level once again with Jay McCallion’s goal. Finlayson netted again in extra time putting his side ahead for the third and final time, winning the game and the cup itself.

Gorebridge United put the pressure on first in this cup tie with their first chance of the game coming two minutes in. A corner taken on the left side of goal by Byron McKinley was met by the on target headed effort of Bari Collins. The shot was saved by the keeper; however, the referee blew for offside regardless.

Gala Fairden Colts grew into the game, unfazed by the opposition’s pressure they had a chance to go ahead in the 13th minute. Josh Lamb’s shot from outside the area was arriving at the bottom right hand corner of goal if not for the services of goalkeeper, Reiss Trench to stop the effort.

Moments later, Gorebridge had the opportunity to net from a clinical position. Lewis Brannan’s pass to Arron Cockburn which was subsequently flicked onto Byron McKinley in the 17th minute put the player on goal with only the keeper to beat, however, the towering presence of Max Logan meant the shot was saved.

Another chance came soon after for the blue and yellow side in the 28th minute. The solo effort from Gorebridge’s Lewis Brannan meant the player tucked his way past defenders to arrive in the right-hand side of the penalty area. His shot on goal that followed struck the near post and proceeded to go out of play.

Colts then secured the first of the match with a remarkable effort in the 34th minute. Lee MacRae’s run past defenders on the right side meant the ball was laid off to Josh Lamb outside area. Lamb’s dipping shot struck the left post and into the net putting his side ahead.

On the stroke of half time, Colts managed to double the lead. Following Jordan Hogarth’s headed effort coming off the woodwork in the 40+1st minute, the ball dropped to Declan Bell whose initial rebound shot was blocked. The player struck the ball on the rebound once more, driving it low into the net. 

Gorebridge United knew they had to come out fighting this half and that’s exactly what they did with their first goal of the game coming five minutes into the half. Brannan’s throw into the penalty area was met by Jordan Bowie whose shot was saved but Liam Spencer ran onto the effort on the left side of the area to slot the rebound into the net from a difficult area, putting his side back in the game in the 45th minute.

The equaliser came soon after thanks to a free kick taken near the half way line. The ball in was met by Brannan in the 55th minute who flicked on the effort with his head, putting it just past the keeper and levelling the shares.

It looked like Gorebridge would get their third in quick succession when Jack Berkery was brought down inside the area with a penalty given in the 59th minute. However, Max Logan dived down to the left side of goal saving the effort, keeping things level.

Gala Fairyden Colts went ahead once more in the 66th minute. Cammy Finlayson was on the receiving end of a ball played over the top. Finlayson then flicked the ball over the keeper on the right side with the ball arriving near the far post.

Gorebridge were chasing an equaliser once again and with minutes remaining they got the goal that sent them to extra time thanks to the effort from Jay McCallion in the 78th minute. The United player shot from outside the area with the ball sent into the top left hand corner. The ecstatic celebrations from the team was also shared by the travelling support.

United almost secured the winner with a strike that came in the last kick of the game. Spencer’s run down the right channel allowed the youngster to cross the ball into Byron McKinley who struck the soaring ball first time, however, the keeper dropped low to save the effort as the referee’s whistle soon followed.