Drumsagard turned on the style in the second half of their cup final with Haldane United, eventually running out deserved 4-1 winners. Left fullback Ben Duncan was the star of the show for Drumsagard as he scored two and set up another in an outstanding performance. Cole McKinnon and Kyle MacDonald grabbed the other two Drumsagard goals while Dylan McDonough scored the only goal for Haldane with a wonder strike that would have deserved to win any other cup final.

An even start to the game saw both sides having spells of early pressure without being able to find the net. Cameron Jamieson and Cameron Lakin were both in the right place at the right time with timely interventions to prevent Drumsagard, while up the other end for Haldane Jordan MacDonald and Craig Mooney both shot wide.

The opening goal was made in the Drumsagard defence as Jay Keenan went on a mazy run down the left flank culminating in a shot well-blocked by a Haldane defender on the line only for Duncan to slot it home.

With temperatures soaring around Scotland, water breaks were a necessity to keep the players hydrated but Haldane’s McDonough was taking the conditions in his stride, a powerful driving run from his own half saw him skip past three opponents before Keenan managed to get a foot in.

It was a sign of the talent of McDonough however and he showcased it moments later in the best possible way. Under close attention from his marker, he collected a high ball on his chest, knocked it over the defender, then unleashed an unstoppable volley over Annan Lung in the Drumsagard goal. With shades of James Rodriguez in the 2014 World Cup, it was a special moment.

They couldn’t build on the equaliser however and were quite fortunate to make it in at half time still level as McKinnon twice headed by from good positions for Drumsagard.

Drumsagard settled quicker in the second half and started to show what they could do with the ball on the deck. With improved passing they were bringing their attacking players into the game more, but it was still Duncan who was making the difference. His free kick just a few minutes after the restart was driven low and McKinnon made up for his misses before the break by guiding it expertly into the goal.

Duncan almost added to their tally when he chased down a long ball from Lewis Kilpatrick, sliding to reach it he forced a good save from Sean Horwood.

With Haldane forced to chase the game again in search of another equaliser, more and more space was opening up. Ross McKenna fired straight at the keeper for Haldane while Duncan blazed another effort over up the other end. Most of the pressure was coming from Drumsagard and Dylan Campbell showed great feet in the box to wriggle free from the attention of two defenders but Lung did well to not only block the effort but keep a hold of it.

The goal was coming though, and it was a lovely turn and pass in one movement from Kilpatrick that set up MacDonald. The forward finished well across the goalkeeper, his effort going in off the post to make it 3-1.

Drumsagard really started to turn the screw at this point. Kilpatrick shot over with a neat turn and volley and then Campbell rattled the crossbar from point blank range, the ball bouncing downwards and out as Drumsagard appealed for the goal. Unfortunately Parklea is yet to equip itself with goal line technology and the referee was unmoved.

Drumsagard were breaking through at will now. Haldane captain Alex Robertson saved a certain goal with a last ditch tackle on Campbell. MacDonald didn’t get enough contact on Keenan’s cross to trouble the goalkeeper. Ethan Furze volleyed off the post from McKinnon’s cross. Duncan had yet another effort well saved by Horwood.

But eventually the fourth goal came and fittingly it was the impressive Duncan who got it. A well-worked team move down the left wing showed their slick passing ability and Duncan curled it beautifully into the far corner to ensure the trophy was coming back with them to Cambuslang.