St Duthus beat Halkirk United to win North Caledonian Cup final
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ST Duthus came out on top in the North Caledonian Cup final as they defeated Halkirk United 1–0.
Finn As-Chainey scored a low drive from 12 yards in the 47th minute which proved to be the difference at Dudgeon Park in Brora.
It is the third trophy St Duthus have won since the Tain outfit rejoined the league in 2016.
Manager Alan Geegan says his team deserved to lift the trophy and praised his players for holding on to their lead.
"I thought we were the better team in the first half, but maybe in the final 10 minutes of the first half we let them back into it," he said.
"In the second half we went forward and got our goal early and then perhaps the nerves kicked in the last 10 minutes.
"But we defended well and the boys deserved it."
Geegan took over as manager of St Duthus in October after the club suffered a poor start to the campaign.
He said they have shown during the second half of the campaign they are one of the top teams in the league and is expecting a title challenge next season.
"The effort they have put into the second half of the season has earned them this trophy.
"Since I took over we have only had three defeats and two of them came in the first five matches.
"We are more than capable of challenging for the league title next season as long as we get the consistency for the whole of the campaign.
"We maybe need one or two new additions, but on the whole, we have shown that we should be up there with the top teams in the league.
"Winning the cup has given the boys a taste for it and makes them want to fight for more and stay a part of this club."
Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy was disappointed at full time but said St Duthus deserved their victory.
"All our previous meetings against St Duthus have been tight affairs and I don't think today was any different.
"Unfortunately, we were on the losing end this time around.
"But congratulations to St Duthus and Alan Geegan as they have had a terrific end to the season.
"We didn't start overly well but in the second half we looked sharper and direct than we had been in the first half.
"But in the final third, it didn't quite come off."
This season, Halkirk United reached two cup finals and challenged for the North Caledonian League until Invergordon clinched the title earlier today.
McElroy hopes this season's disappointment will fuel the motivation to achieve success next season.
"I am disappointed with the result but hugely proud of the boys and massively appreciate the support from everyone at the club.
"We will dust ourselves down and look to improve on things in the future."
