Southend defeat Lamlash to earn cup final place
Lamlash hosted Southend in the second fixture of the round robin stage of the Arran Haulage Cup last Saturday with the home team needing to make sure they didn’t lose to prevent them from getting eliminated from the football competition.
The first half of the match at Arran High School was evenly matched with few chances from either team.
Southend broke the deadlock with the only goal of the first half. Southend striker Donald Mulholland went on a mazy run into the Lamlash box which resulted in David Heenan mistiming his challenge and bringing Donald down, giving referee Greg McCrae no option but to award a penalty.
Southend captain Ryan Armstrong stepped up and, despite Lamlash keeper Gordon McIntyre getting a hand to it, the ball ended up in the net.
After the break, Southend took control with Liam Bremner making it 2-0 after a scramble in the box. Ten minutes later, it was three when a well-worked move was calmly finished by James Currie to earn Southend a place against Brodick in the final.
James was given the man-ofthe-match award for his energy in the midfield, dictating the tempo of the game and his goal. Despite Southend and Brodick reaching the final, they will play against each other again in the last game of the round robin stage. Although it is a dead rubber, both teams are still keen for a good game which will be a chance to give other players in their squads a run out. The game will be played at Sandbraes in Whiting Bay on Friday May 5 with a 6.30pm kick-off.
The final of the Arran Haulage Cup will take place the following Saturday (May 13) at the Arran High School pitch with a 3pm kick-off.