DRINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
LOCAL hero Craig McCracken knows he won’t need to dip into his pockets in the pub after digging deep on the park to ensure another Junior Cup party in Auchinleck.
The defender was the toast of Talbot – and not for the first time – as his 73rd-minute rocket finally broke brave Yoker Athletic’s resistance to secure a 14th triumph in the tournament for the Ayrshire side.
And after netting in a third successive final as Talbot made it three in a row, the former Ayr stopper said: “It’s a special competition for us. We have lots of good history in this cup.
“If you go through the village, there’s bunting everywhere and the place is buzzing.
“I’m from Catrine, just two or three miles away from Auchinleck. It makes it all the more special because you can hear and see how much it means to the community. The pubs will be bouncing.
“Hopefully I won’t have to put my hand in my pocket for a wee while. You get well looked after here so no doubt drinks will be getting thrown at us.”
McCracken netted against Hurlford as Auchinleck lifted the trophy in 2018 and was at it again a year later as Largs Thistle were beaten 2-0.
The 26-year-old also scored the famous goal at Beechwood that knocked Ayr out of the Scottish Cup live on TV threeand-a-half years ago.
But he reckons his Rugby Park 25-yarder on Saturday, which flew past keeper Scott Urquhart with the aid of a deflection, topped the lot.
He said: “It’s as big and important a goal as any I’ve scored. It’s always special to score in cup finals. What’s my secret? I’ve absolutely no idea.
“The one against Ayr was great but you win nothing for beating Ayr in a January Scottish Cup tie, whereas we’ve got a trophy to show for this.”
Talbot were given an almighty scare by the 7/1 underdogs, playing in their first final since 1933.
Yoker edged the first half and went close twice, Andy Leishman denying Greg Maitland early on while Ross McDonald fired into the side netting.
With both sides tiring in the searing sunshine, extra-time looked a certainty. That was until McCracken had his say before sub Jamie Glasgow scored in the 90th minute to put the seal on another success for Tommy Sloan’s side.
McCracken said: “We’ve won two cup competitions and come close in the league, so it’s been a successful season.”
Leishman, lifting the trophy for a sixth time but first as captain, said: “People say the Junior Cup has died a bit but not for me. Look at the fans at Rugby Park, look at how much it means to the players to win.
It’s magic.”