Gowfers See Off Tayport For Currie Cup

Carnoustie Panmure secured victory over Tayport on Wednesday night to lift the Currie Cup. The cup final, held at Broughty Athletics' Whitton Park was settled by one goal early in the first half.

The Gowfers started the match but it was Tayport who enjoyed the early possession in the opening five minutes.

However as Panmure began to come into the game they exposed shortcomings in the Tayport defence which led to a number of free kicks around the box.

The first, after seven minutes, was blasted over by set-piece expert Conway, but just two minutes later the Gowfers took the lead.

Conway hit in a low free kick from the left wing, Tayport's 'keeper Fitzpatrick looked to have the ball under control but he spilled letting Collier in. The big striker showed real composure to lay the it off to STEELE who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Six minutes later and Carnoustie should have doubled their lead. Collier held the ball up well before feeding Voigt on the right wing. But Fitzpatrick made up for his earlier mistake by diving bravely at the feet of the attacker to keep his side in it.

After 22 minutes, Voigt did well to turn the Tayport defence before being pulled back by Morris. Conway took the free kick from the edge of the box but failed to work the 'keeper.

On the half hour mark Panmure again went close. Conway swept in a good corner that Hendry powered at goal but a combination of 'keeper and defender saw the ball cleared.

Five minutes later and Tayport were on the attack, McNaughton switched the ball into the path of full back Paterson but Steele did well to shepherd the ball out for a corner.

Carnoustie had the final attack of the first half when Fitzpatrick came out to deal with a clearance from the Gowfers defence. The keeper again lost control allowing Collier in but from a tight angle his shot spun wide with Voigt unable to make contact.

Half-time: Carnoustie Panmure 1 Tayport 0

The Gowfers were slow to start the second half with Tayport immediately on the attack. Rennie pushed at Panmure's defence before passing to McDowell, but his shot was well blocked for a corner.

Just a minute later Panmure had a further chance following another 'keeper error but Conway's shot was weak and deflected out for a corner.

Tayport won another flag kick after 50 minutes which Duell headed at goal but Whyte saved well.

On the hour mark Tayport increased the pressure on the Carnoustie's goal, winning six corners in quick succession. However Whyte was in top-form, collecting crosses with authority and instilling confidence in his defence.

Tayport continued to press with the Gowfers resorting to the tried and tested method of booting the ball clear.

With 86 minutes gone Carnoustie made the first substitution of the game replacing Steele with Russell. A minute later Abbot was booked for dissent.

In the dying seconds Panmure should have scored after Voigt did well to feed the ball through to Collier, but with the goal begging, the striker put his shot clean over the bar.

In the final minutes of extra time Brand came on to replace Collier who almost immediately picked up a yellow for kicking the ball away.

Line-Ups:

Carnoustie Panmure : Whyte, Smith, Cumming, Craig, Wilkie, Hendry, Steele (Russell 86), Abbot, Collier (Brand 93), Voigt, Conway

Substitutes Not Used - Hall, Bollan, McCafferty

Tayport : Fitzpatrick, Gunnion, Paterson, Rennie, Morris, Livie, Ramsay, McNaughton, Webster, McDowell, Duell

Substitutes Not Used - Kenneth, Malone, Finlay, Conway, Mann