2005 West of Scotland Cup Final

{{ infobox football match | title = 2005 West of Scotland Cup Final | image = | caption = | event = 2004–05 West of Scotland Cup | team1 = Arthurlie | team1score = 3 | team2 = Troon | team2score = 4 | details = After extra time | date = 14 May 2005 | stadium = Newlandsfield Park | club = Pollok | man_of_the_match1a = Jim Duffy (Troon) | man_of_the_match1atitle = | man_of_the_match1b = | man_of_the_match1btitle = | referee = | attendance = 1,096 | weather = | previous = | next = }}

The 2005 West of Scotland Cup Final, also known as the Whyte and Mackay Cup for Sponsorship reasons, was an association football match between Arthurlie and Troon on 14 May 2005 at Newlandsfield Park, home of Pollok F.C., in Glasgow's South Side. The match marked the first time Troon had reached the Final of the competition in its 60-year history whilst it was Arthurlie's second in two years.

The tournament was contested by all clubs who compete in the Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region leagues with both finalists coming from the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division.

In the two league encounters between the clubs that season, Troon had recorded one of only their two league victories to date of the entire campaign at Dunterlie Park, coming away with a 2-1 victory, although Arthurlie got their revenge with a 2-0 victory at Portland Park later in the season.

The Final itself was a real end-to-end contest, won in the very last minute with a strike from Troon Captain Jim Duffy that will live long in the memory of the many Seasiders that were there that day.

Background

Arthurlie were heavy favourites going into the match, as they had spent the season in a title race with near neighbours Pollok. Indeed, going in to the Cup Final, the 'Lie were trailing by 9 points with 3 games in hand against their local rivals, although it was the 'Lok who were eventually crowned Premier Division Champions for season 2004-05. A run to the Quarter-Finals of the Scottish Junior Cup was scant consolation for the Barrhead club.

Troon were facing a rather different season to that of Arthurlie, and had spent the entire season locked in a relegation dogfight at the bottom of the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division - a battle they would eventually lose when they were relegated to the West of Scotland Super League First Division, alongside deposed Champions Kilwinning Rangers (in a quite remarkable fall from grace), at the end of the season. In stark contrast to their league misery, Troon enjoyed their most successful Cup runs in their history this season as they also reached the Quarter-Finals of the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time since their formation in 1946.

Route to the final

Arthurlie

Arthurlie's run to the Cup Final began in New Cumnock when they were drawn away to fellow Premier Division side Glenafton Athletic in the first round, escaping from Loch Park with a narrow 2-1 win after a close contest. The second round match was a little more clear cut with the 'Lie running out 4-0 winners against Central League Division Two side Glasgow Perthshire and dispatching a valiant Vale of Clyde side 3-1 in a fiery Third Round encounter.

The most exciting tie of their West of Scotland Cup campaign came in the Quarter-Final with the visit of Bellshill Athletic to Dunterlie Park. An action-packed 90 minutes saw the two Premier Division sides finish on level terms, with the Full-Time score of 2-2, before an epic Penalty shootout began. Great saves mixed with some clinical finishing saw neither side grasp the advantage, before the home side snatched a sudden death victory 6-5.

That wasn't their final brush with penalties in their march to the final, although their semi-final against Shotts Bon Accord was a less exciting affair. Finishing 1-1 after normal time, the 'Lie edged the contest 4-3 via spot kicks and were in the final.

Troon

Troon's run to the Cup Final began in inauspicious fashion with a run of the mill victory over Ayrshire District League side Ardrossan Winton Rovers at Portland Park followed by a 4-1 win over Muirkirk at Burnside Park.

The Seasiders steadily improved as the competition progressed though, and they were quick to dismiss Shettleston in a 5-1 demolition before they faced their West of Scotland Super League Premier Division relegation-battle adversaries, and recent Scottish Junior Cup winners Renfrew at Western Park. A tense battle ensued with both defences coming out on top, before two goals from Troon either side of the break saw them march into the semi-finals as 2-0 winners.

Road trips were becoming a symbol of this West of Scotland Cup campaign, and this time Bellsdale Park was to be the venue for a memorable Semi-Final against Beith. An end-to-end encounter saw both teams with plenty of chances to score, but stout defending and profligate forward play kept the score even in the first half, before a goal laden second half saw a sparse crowd witness a 2-2 full-time score. Penalties ensued, and heroics from goalkeeper Adam Strain saw Troon take their place in the first West of Scotland Cup Final in their 59 year history.

Match Details