Knight shines bright as Saints grab silver

DDYFA Cup finals were again on the agenda last weekend, giving teams a chance to add to their trophy count or collect their first of the season.

St Murdoch’s U/15 completed the double last Sunday, by defeating their season-long rivals Monifieth Athletic to lift their second piece of silverware.

After beating Monifieth to the P Gibson League title, the Saints collected a second accolade after a 2-1 victory in the J Bolton Cup.

Monifieth handed St Murdoch’s their first defeat of their league campaign, with a 4-2 loss only a week before the final at North End Park.

And Athletic got their first chance of the game early on but the Saints defence were able to clear.

Long balls had been an issue for St Murdoch’s in the previous defeat but manager Derek Fullerton urged his players “to stop them at the source”.

A cross from Steven Dell found Lewis Knight, who turned the ball back across goal to give the Saints’ the lead after 22 minutes.

Three minutes later, Knight was at it again, as Logan Swankie picked him out in the box and he lifted it over a defender before volleying the ball into the bottom corner.

St Murdoch’s started to control the game and held their 2-0 lead until half-time.

The second half began with heavy pressure on the Saints goal and, after 58 minutes, Monifieth’s Adam Gray connected with a low ball to head past keeper Roman Robb.

Both teams had chances but goalies Robb and Dylan Kelly pulled off some top-notch saves to keep the score at 2-1.

Fullerton said: “It was a tight game and it was always going to be that. It was a good first half but both teams were unlucky not to score more. We let up a bit in the second half but we used our game plan and it worked.

“Long balls were a problem from the last game, so we worked on it, because we have to cut them out and stop it at the source.”

St Murdoch’s have now won the League Cup two years in a row.

Fullerton added: “It is great to get to two finals in a row and win them plus the league title and promotion.

“I’m so proud of the boys, the commitment has been great and they worked really hard for this.”

St Murdoch’s U/15 captain Lewis Tough receives the trophy from Colin (Chippy) Lowe, DDYFA Vice-President, after the 2-1 victory over Monifieth at North End Park.

The St Murdoch’s U/15 side pose triumphantly with the J Bolton Cup after seeing off Monifieth Athletic 2-1.

Action from the J Bolton Cup Final clash as St Murdoch’s (black and red) play their way out from the back.

A Forfar West End player (blue) edges away from a team-mate in the Peter McAvoy Cup Final.

A St Murdoch’s player (black) weaves his way out of a challenge in the win over Monifieth Athletic.