Last minute winner hands Treaton Park Trophy to West Fife United

West Fife United were crowned the U16 Treaton Park Cup champions on Sunday morning after a narrow 2-1 victory over Cupar Soccer Sevens.

Cupar opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a free kick from Brodie Traynor struck the underside of the bar before crossing the line.

United equalised early in the second half when a long-range effort from Lucas Carberry found its way into the bottom corner of the net.

The winner came just minutes from time when a cross from Rohan Proudfoot was met by Aaron Ward, whose header looped over Cupar keeper Magnus McKay, sparking wild celebrations as United held on for the win.

West Fife United began shooting downhill on the steep slope at Treaton Park in Star of Markinch, the home of Kennoway Star Hearts, and took advantage in the early moments of the game, with Ashton Sothern firing a half-volley straight at McKay in the first minute.

Just a few minutes later, United nearly opened the scoring again but were kept out by some brilliant goalkeeping from McKay who got in the way of two efforts from Proudfoot.

McKay played brilliantly throughout the game and was called to action once again in the 8th minute to keep out a free kick from Carberry and even pounced on the rebound before it fell to Jack Boa.

Southern had another chance to open the scoring five minutes later when he was played through on goal but was once again denied by a good save from McKay who put the ball behind for a corner.

McKay’s saves were keeping Cupar in the game and proved to be vital as, at the 20-minute mark, the team in blue opened the scoring. Sevens won a free kick 25 yards from goal which was taken by Traynor. His effort struck the underside of the bar and appeared to cross the line. After some confusion, the linesman indicated a goal and Cupar had their lead.

United were not to be dispirited, however, and nearly found an equaliser two minutes later when a corner landed on the head of Lawson Crichton who could not direct his effort on target.

West Fife kept pressuring the goal for the rest of the half, with Cupar struggling to play uphill on the steep surface, but McKay was in top form, keeping out efforts from Carberry and Sothern to take his side into half-time still in the lead.

After the break, West Fife continued their sustained pressure on the Cupar goal, with the Sevens defence holding up well against the onslaught.

Ten minutes into the half though, United finally found the breakthrough when a speculative shot from Carberry caught McKay off guard, to find the bottom corner of the net and give his side a deserved equaliser.

Cupar, now shooting downhill, were still creating chances of their own, and United goalkeeper Rhys Stenhouse had to be on his toes to intercept a cross from Max Stewart as it was making its way to Charlie Mason for a tap-in.

Sevens were starting to find a regular rhythm and nearly retook their lead 60 minutes in when an effort from Aidan Hughes was initially spilt by Stenhouse in front of Mason before eventually recovering after a scramble in the box.

United were still threatening and nearly got their noses in front when a whipped cross was just too far in front of James Bowie, who could not get enough of a connection on the ball.

As the seconds were ticking down and penalties were looming, United finally found the winner that their play overall probably deserved. A cross from Proudfoot on the right was headed by Ward, whose header looped over the unfortunate McKay and into the net to give his side the win.

Cupar tried to press for an equaliser with what little time was remaining in the game, but United held on for the win and lifted Treaton Park Cup.