The 2021/22 season ended in contrasting fashions for Livingston United and Linlithgow Rose at the weekend as the King Cup and East of Scotland Cup final were played.
Livingston United missed out on a maiden King Cup title in controversial fashion as they were edged out 1-0 by Heriot-Watt University in the final, writes Callum McCormack.
The tie, played at Whitburn’s Central Park ground, was goalless after 90 minutes.
And with United skipper Hassan Nyang having seen red, Campbell Marr made the numerical advantage count by netting the only goal in the 105th minute.
Both Nyang’s dismissal and the winning goal sparked fierce remonstrations from United players and staff as the Station Park men fell short of lifting the trophy.
A tense first half produced few chances for either side, with the first real effort not coming until the half hour mark when United’s Danny Kleinman almost capitalised on Alex McMahon’s dithering on the ball but saw his effort cleared off the line.
Two minutes later, the Students went close for the first time as a scramble in the box led to Chris Ashley palming a Josh Wishart poked effort onto the post.
Before half-time Livingston had the best chance to take the lead.
Chris Kelly’s well-worked cross was met by Michael Gould six yards out but the unmarked striker was unable to get enough purchase on his glancing header as the ball flashed wide.
The game’s first controversial moment arrived three minutes after the break when Nyang was shown a red card after being adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity when he brought Russell Cairns down outside the
box.
That gave Heriot-Watt renewed vigour and they began to take control of proceedings, only to be met by a sturdy United defence marshalled by Steven McInnes.
The Edinburgh side found gaps, however, and with 53 minutes on the clock, Justin Hogg went close as his looping volley from the edge of the box was unlucky to crash off the top of the bar and away.
Then, on 70 minutes, Cairns looked certain to open the scoring but, with an empty net in front of him, he could only send the ball wide.
Five minutes later Wishart went close again for the Students.
He diverted Adam Robertson’s header back towards goal with only a reaction save from Ashley denying him.
At the other end, United were making the best of the good running of Kelly and the speedy Jeremiah Otonti as they provided a more than adequate attacking threat throughout the afternoon.
As the game trickled towards the end of the 90 minutes, there would be further controversy.
In similar circumstances to the earlier red card, Livingston’s Kelly was brought down as he looked to burst into the box but the officials waved away the protests.
Both teams displayed plenty of endeavour but created little in the first half of extra-time – only for the deadlock to be broken as the half drew to a close.
Robertson’s ball into the box evaded the United defence with Marr on hand to slide the ball home for Heriot-Watt.
United were adamant the scorer was in an offside position but the officials disagreed.
With tempers already fraying the decision further antagonised an already tempestuous Livingston bench.
Stuart McInnes’ side were unable to find a way back into the game in the second half of extra-time as Heriot-Watt sealed the victory and lifted the trophy but United’s remonstrations lasted long after the final whistle.
Linlithgow Rose waited eight years for silverware only for two trophies to arrive in a week.
Following on from their East of Scotland Qualifying Cup final success over Gala Fairydean Rovers last weekend, the Rose made it a cup double this season as they came back from two goals down to defeat Tranent 3-2 in the East of Scotland League Cup final in Newtongrange.
The finish in this clash was in stark contrast to the pair of league games between the sides this term in which the Rose twice conceded two goals late on and were forced to settle for a draw.
The Belters, East of Scotland Premier Division champions, looked to be in firm control of the contest as they raced into a 2-0 lead after Jamie Docherty dispatched a pair of spot-kicks.
Linlithgow’s fightback started four minutes before the break when they were awarded a penalty of their own with Mark Stowe slamming home his 42nd goal of the season.
They drew level on the hour mark as Alan Docherty stole the ball from defender Darren McCormack before finding the net .
And skipper Gary Thom was the hero as he headed home the cup winner 14 minutes from time.
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