2004 OVD SCOTTISH CUP FINAL

Bobby Geddes and Steven Narey were the heroes of Carnoustie’s first OVD Scottish Cup victory in the Firhill Park.

Geddes is of course former Dundee legend Bobby – ex- Carnoustie Panmure player-manager. But the Narey in question was Steve, son of David who scored the crucial penalty which put the final beyond the holders Tayport.

Narey’s dad most famous strike was of course that legendary ‘toe-poke’ against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup. Dad’s goal only got the Brazilians angry. His son’s strike which young Steven himself was quick to point out was “anything but a toe-poke” meant the Holy Grail of Junior football was finally bound for Carnoustie, just three years after the Angus side saw their Cup Final hopes evaporate as they lost a penalty shoot-out.

Geddes, the player-manager, certainly played his part in his side’s victory. An out-of-sorts Tayport seldom tested the veteran throughout the 120 minutes of actual play, in fact it wasn’t until the 103rd minute that Geddes was forced to make a save worthy of the name. But for all the holder’s failure to score from a greater share of possession and territory, Carnoustie were themselves inept in front of goal despite creating over the piece the more clear-cut chances. Carnoustie made the early running although the first chances fell to the holders with Gareth Dailly, cousin of Scotland captain Christian, shooting past in five minutes before Tayport’s main striker Brian Craik saw his shot deflected for a corner three minutes later.

The best chances of the first half however fell to Carnoustie when a monumental Geddes clearance was gathered by Ralph Brand who was denied by a brave save on the edge of his area by Tayport’s Tony Fitzpatrick.

Brand came close again in 18 minutes, fastening onto a Narey forward ball and lobbing Fitzpatrick but failing to hit the target.

The only other noticeable action in the first half was when John Kelly of Carnoustie picked up the game’s first booking in 34 minutes.

Things fell away badly after the break with Tayport’s Roberto Morris joining the booking list in 49 minutes before Carnoustie forced two corners in quick succession without making either pay in 51 minutes.

Five minutes later Carnoustie were handed a great chance to take control when Brand’s incursion into the Tayport box saw him sent flying by defender John Ward for an obvious penalty kick. Douglas Craig stepped up but his weakly hit shot was pushed away by the diving Fitzpatrick.

Some felt Tayport might now good their escape but as normal time ran out they failed to impose themselves on a confident Carnoustie defence and the closest they came to scoring was when an attempted diving header clearance by Carnoustie’s Gary Buick slid inches the right side of his own goal.

At the death Craik again failed to take advantage of a free header so once again a Junior Cup Final went to extra time. The first period aside from Geddes’s save was remarkable only for an injury to Tayport’s Morris which saw him carried off.

With fatigue taking its toll even less happened in the second period of added time although Brand did have a chance to win the game in 115 minutes but shot straight at the goalkeeper before team mate Iain Wilkie headed over from a corner.

The penalties saw Christopher Webster put Carnoustie in front only for John Ward to equalise. Ally Paterson then scored for Carnoustie before Man of the Match David Evans saw his penalty saved by Geddes. Brand duly made it 3-1 for Carnoustie, Geddes was again a hero saving from Sean Christie leaving Narey to step forward and score the goal which took the Cup to Carnoustie.

The youngster, on loan from Montrose, doesn’t know if he’ll be at Carnoustie next season or hopefully back in the Seniors. He said “We were aware of what happened in 2001 so we were determined not to lose out again.”

Dave Baikie, the Tayport boss who saw his hopes of defending the trophy undone said “It was a sore one to lose but at least the trophy’s staying on Tayside and I congratulate Bobby and his team.”

Geddes was naturally delighted saying “I felt we had the better chances and deserved to win. As a goalkeeper you don’t lose a penalty shoot-out you can only be a hero but it wasn’t about me it was about the players who have worked so hard for this and a very supportive committee who have backed me to the hilt. “It’s great to win the Cup, but we’ve still got our first priority of promotion back to the Super League.”

Attendance : 3,030

Carnoustie Panmure: Geddes, Narey, Wilkie, Ogilvie, Craig, Kelly ( Paterson 91 ), Buick, Morrison, Montgomery (Webster 14), Brand, Kenneth ( Miller 77 )

Tayport: Fitzpatrick, Gunnion, Ward, Morris ( Ramsey 100 ), G Paterson, Stewart, Elliott, Peters, Dailly ( Evans 61 ), Craik, McNaughton ( Christie 61 ).

Referee : W Collum

View Carnoustie Panmure's Route To The Final.