50 YEARS AGO Thursday July 17, 1969
Caley win in angry final
Miners’ Welfare Cup Final Caledonia 3 (McEwan, Gilchrist, McLean) Pupils 2 (R. Campbell, MacPherson, pen.) Caledonia lost little time in opening the scoring. In the second minute McEwan nipped through a gap in the Pupils’ defence and drove the ball past bewildered ‘keeper MacGregor.
To their credit Pupils took the situation calmly in hand and launched a series of powerful attacks on the Caley goal. The Pupils’ premium came finally. In the 14th minute Robert Campbell connected with a ball, crossed from the right, and headed it into the net.
Caledonia rushed back into the lead in the 48th minute when Gilchrist shot past MacGregor from a McGougan pass.
As both teams struggled for control of the game tensions increased and finally exploded into violence. McEwan gave chase to a ball as it sped into the six-yard box. Pupils goalkeeper MacGregor was quicker and gathered the ball into his arms. McEwan, however, ran on and propelled himself forward, feet-first, at MacGregor, scything the legs from under him. The goalkeeper picked himself up and lashed out at the Caley inside-right. Both were cautioned by referee Orrock.
In the 80th minute Caley grabbed a third goal. Veteran Pupils right-back Duncan MacSporran fumbled what should have been a straightforward clearance and allowed McLean to dart through and score. That as good as wrapped up the game for Caley.
Pupils, however, received an unexpected bounty two minutes from full time. McKinven, as he tried to break through a thicket of Caledonia shirts was brought to the ground by ‘keeper Brodie. Referee Orrock awarded a penalty to Pupils without hesitation. Pupils stalwart MacPherson, equally unhesitatingly, placed the ball in the rigging from the spot.
This game did not approach the standard set in the Civic Cup final. Play was hard, at times extra-hard. Pupils narrowly missed success in this cup, but, if the law of averages takes effect for the duration of the next cup competition then they, like the R.A.F. and the Caledonia, will be rewarded with a trophy this season.
Teams – Caledonia: Brodie, MacEachran, Anderson, McGougan, L. McMillan (capt.), Brown, W. McMillan, McEwan, McLean, Morrison, Gilchrist.
Pupils: MacGregor, MacSporran, Cunningham, Martin, Cameron, MacPherson, Hume, A. Campbell, R. Campbell, McKinnon, R. McCallum. Fielded substitute, McKinven.
Referee: Sgt. Orrock.