Southend kick start their season Haulage Cup win
Southend loaded up with the Arran Haulage Cup, the first trophy competition of the year, after the Lamlash final, writes Danny Head.
However, they didn’t get it all their own way at the final on Saturday.
Southend began kicking downhill, with the wind, and started off with most of the chances.
It wasn’t long before Donnie Park opened the scoring after he had met a precise corner from Lewis Kennedy.
Lamlash started to dominate the game and Ben Tattersfield levelled after a good run and finish from just outside the area, hitting the inside of the post and into the back of the net.
Lamlash took the lead after Johnny Sloss went on a mazy run and was brought down inside the area by Sandy Kelso.
Grant Adamson stepped up and tucked it into the corner, leaving Stevie Judge with no chance in the Southend goal.
The boys went into half-time with it looking like Lamlash were favourites to push on.
Southend manager Lee Russell had other ideas and gave his team a stern talk.
The MBS boys looked a different side as the second half kicked off and it wasn’t long before Lewis Kennedy was brought down in the area by David Copperwheat.
Ryan Armstrong converted from 12 yards to level things up. Donnie added his second header of the game, powering the ball into the corner beyond Heenan in goal.
Frazer Barr came on for the yellows and made an immediate impact to make it 4-2 to Southend.
Just as Southend were starting to plan their celebrations they were dealt a massive blow when Sandy Kelso twisted awkwardly with no-one near him to injure his ‘good’ knee. He had to be carried off but hopefully will recover quickly.
Jack Simmons added number five for Southend after a strike deflected by Heenan.
The final whistle made it Southend’s third Arran Haulage Cup victory in a row.
Referee Willie Sillars gave the man of the match to Sloss, despite being on the losing team, saying he was unlucky not to be in a winning side.
The association wishes to say a big thank you to Struan and Rachel Armitage for their generosity of a new trophy and providing both teams with refreshments after the game. The next league games will be on Monday May 22 with Brodick vs Northend and Lamlash vs Shiskine.