It was far from a straightforward start to the match for Troon though, as after only ten minutes Craigie went ahead. Their free-kick was deflected into the net, the last touch seemed to be from Troon full-back Jonathon Hendry. This moment of misfortune for Troon spurred Craigie on as they looked to assert their dominance further. Another well hit free-kick went over the bar before Sean Scobie, fed by Marc Maguire, saw his snap shot deflected just past the post. Craigie’s all round pressing play was better and Troon found themselves struggling to dictate the play.

 

This did not matter as we all know football matched can change in an instant. Troon, struggling to get a foothold found themselves in the final third, the ball broke to Thomas Watkins on the edge of the area, Watkins ghosted past two defenders before smartly finishing past the on rushing goalkeeper to pull Troon level.

 

The elements in Ayrshire were far from ideal for either side, but Craigie made the best of the fact they had the wind behind them and pushed for every ball against their opponents, who were battling the conditions face on.

 

Craigie had a chance to restore their lead, after a corner left the penalty box crowded out Sean Scobie’s side footed shot went wide.

 

Craigie’s high tempo pressing play kept Troon on the ropes until half time and they had another hance to go ahead and would have been clean through on goal had it not been for a smart covering challenge from Joseph Toner. On the stroke of half time Craigie struck the cross bar – a superb corner from Connor Gracie found Scobie – he rose well in the box and was unlucky once again.

 

As the teams restarted, the tables turned. From the kick off Troon looked more assured in every aspect and dominated their opponents all over the pitch.

 

They almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances when Fraser Russell almost caught the ‘keeper out with a freak chip from 25 yards.

 

They soon did take the lead however when the skilful Watkin received the ball on the right touchline. With nowhere to go and support arriving late, Watkins looked up, saw a gap and swung an exquisite shot towards goal, the strike evaded the goalkeeper before striking the cross section of the far post and the cross bar before nestling in the goal. The goal and the vision to see it in the first place – both from the top drawer.

 

Craigie were struggling but their hard working winger, Brodie O’Neil was grafting down the left constantly, it almost paid off when he released a swerving shot beat the goalkeeper but was saved from going in by Hendry. Hendry redeeming himself for his unfortunate deflection in the first half.

 

Troon killed the game off with 20 minutes left to play. Russell who alost scored in audacious circumstances found the net this time in emphatic circumstances. In space 5 yards outside the box, he was played in before calmly controlling on the chest and volleying into the net expertly. The goalkeeper had no chance against  what was a first rate finish.

 

Craigie then had their own spell of dominance, O’Neil still trying hard on the left and Murphy very unlucky not to score with a header. The worsening conditions taking their toll on the team simply left Craigie with a mountain to climb. Gregor Malone stung the palms of Ross Abercrombie in the Troon goal but unfortunately for Craigie, they just could not claw a goal back.

 

In a match that both teams had chances to win, Craigie were unlucky not to bury the match in the first half – but Watkins performance in attack was as good as will be seen at this level of the game and his clinical finishing propelled Troon on to lift the trophy.

  

1.     James Sinclair

2.     Marc Maguire

3.     Andrew Lewis

4.     Euan Cormican

5.     Sean Scobie

6.     Jordan Malone

7.     Connor Gracie

8.     Gregor Malone

9.     Toni Murphy

10.   Jordan Philbin

11.   Brodie O’Neil

12.   Jordan Rooney

14. Jonathan Wade

15. Jordan Wilson

16. Nick Nelson

17. Ryan O’Neil

18. Jordan Shields