Castle win derby thriller at Rovers
CAMBUSBARRON ROVERS .................. 3 DOUNE CASTLE ....................................... 4
This latest instalment of the longest-standing Stirlingshire derby had an explosive ending when three goals were scored in added time with Doune grabbing a dramatic 98th minute winner.
Castle looked to have won it in the 92nd minute with a deflected free-kick but Rovers stormed down the Mill Road slope to equalise.
But Callum Macdougall secured the points in the eighth minute of injury time when he was in place to score from close range.
Doune had started well with Alan Inglis and Christopher Macdonald both having worthwhile efforts.
It was Cambusbarron who came closest to scoring when Rodger saw his header beat Callum Davison but hit the post.
And after 19 minutes, Doune took the lead. Christopher Macdonald’s corner was headed to the edge of the area and Andrew Gibson latched on to the loose ball before drilling a raking low drive into the far corner for 1-0.
Cambusbarron equalised a minute later. Valentine rose unchallenged at the back post to power a strong header back across goal into the top corner for 1-1.
Doune regained the lead after 25 minutes when Inglis split the centrebacks with a deft pass and Macdonald advanced on Gray before planting the ball wide of the keeper from 16 yards for 2-1.
Doune led 2-1 at the interval but Rovers pressed from the restart and Davison made a fine save after 53 minutes, reacting brightly to parry a close-range drive.
On 59 minutes, Cambusbarron squandered a golden opportunity to equalise. DeLuca found himself clear through but opted to square the ball to a team mate, allowing Ross Macfarlane to make a decisive sliding block.
Cambusbarron equalised after 82 minutes. Davison parried the first effort but Rovers followed up to drive home for 2-2, much to the delight of the large home support.
Both sides chased what they hoped would be the winner and the game ended in high drama. On 88 minutes, Rovers keeper Gray felled Inglis with a clumsy challenge and was red-carded with Alan More taking over between the sticks.
With the clock showing 92 minutes, Inglis drilled the resultant free kick wide of the defensive wall towards the right hand corner of the goal and Anderson stuck out a foot to clear, but only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net to give Doune a 3-2 lead.
Cambusbarron refused to accept defeat and stormed down the Mill Road slope, netting on 94 minutes from the edge of the area.
But Castle showed real character to storm back and on 98 minutes, Macdougall made it 4-3 to spark wild celebrations on the Castle touchline.
Cambusbarron forced one final attack, but the ball drifted harmlessly wide of goal as a jubilant Doune welcomed the final whistle.
Doune Castle: Davison, Macfarlane (McClymont), D Innes, Nelson, Duncanson, Hurst, Gibson (Gillespie), McClure, Inglis, Macdonald (Smith), A Innes (Macdougall) Substitute (unused): Brown