Peter’s strike brings cup to Thistle
Jags secure trophy in dying seconds after thriller
East Kilbride Thistle Amateurs are celebrating after lifting the League Cup on Friday night.
There was late drama in Govan as the Jags scored twice in the final minutes of extratime to beat Windlaw 4-3 at New Tinto Park.
Police officer Peter Carr was the hero as his last-gasp spot-kick won it for EK and avoided the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
EK Thistle Ams ..... 4 Windlaw ............... 3
A last-gasp penalty in extratime handed East Kilbride Thistle a dramatic victory over Windlaw in Friday’s League Cup final.
Jags lifted the trophy after a sevengoal thriller at New Tinto Park in Govan, with police officer Peter Carr keeping his cool to slot home the winner from the penalty spot – just as the match appeared to be heading for a shoot-out.
In their first-ever final, the Amateurs were 1-0 down at the break but second half efforts from Cameron Smith and Jordan Connor had them in command before a Kris McSherry own goal helped Windlaw force extra-time.
Windlaw edged ahead in the additional period but a Fraser Hamilton header and Carr’s spotkick in stoppage time delivered the trophy for Thistle in stunning fashion.
Gaffer Chris McColl said: “Once we got the penalty I knew we were going to score.
“Peter had a real swagger as he walked up to take it so he gave all the boys confidence.
“When he slotted it home it was complete bedlam. I can’t remember who was near me but they were getting hugged and jumped on.
“The boys have been playing two to three games a week for a month now and with 118 minutes played and a goal down many teams would have crumbled.
“But it shows the determination, fight and courage these lads have to roll up their sleeves and get two goals so late on.
“They deserve all the plaudits and all the credit.”
The occasion appeared to get to Thistle early on in front of their big travelling support, with Windlaw starting the brighter.
Windlaw grabbed the opener and held on to their lead going into the half-time break.
The second half was a completely different story, though, as Thistle bounced out of the dressing room with real purpose.
Knocking the ball about well, the Jags grew into the contest and started to open up the Windlaw back four, with Steven Oates, Smith and Connor all going close.
The pressure finally told after an hour when Smith finished well inside the box.
And Thistle soon found themselves in front when man of the match Connor was on target to make it 2-1.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as an own goal from Kris McSherry took the match to extra-time.
Windlaw drew first blood in the first half of additional time, scoring with a good finish from outside the box.
Jags looked dead and buried but they managed to muster the energy to put in a sensational finish to the match.
With 118 minutes on the clock and Windlaw having one hand on the trophy, Thistle’s relentless pressure paid off when captain Hamilton found space in the box and nodded home to equalise.
It seemed all set up for a penalty shoot-out, but Thistle won it in dramatic circumstances.
Andy Dolan played a lovely ball through for Jack Irvine to stretch his legs, out-running one defender, then two, before being hacked down in the box.
The referee had no choice but to award a penalty and Carr made no mistake from 12 yards to win it for EK.
McColl added: “We are still on cloud nine and I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.
“It’s great effort and I’d like to thank the management team - Jamie Scott, Gordon Wilson and Ross McSherry. The team couldn’t have done this without them.
“And a big thanks goes to our main sponsors, the Montgomerie Arms, who have been with us from day one and supported us all the way.”