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Forres Thistle 2 Dufftown 2 (pens 3-5): Toonsers crowned champions of the Elginshire Cup after shootout victory


By Jonathan Clark

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Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

DUFFTOWN were crowned Elginshire Cup champions on Saturday after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Forres Thistle.

The Toonsers twice took the lead in an end-to-end 2-2 draw at Logie Park in Forres before penalty perfection saw them win 5-3 on spot kicks.

The trophy is the first Dufftown have won at junior level. Manager Jim Stables, whose son Finlay scored the second goal, was ecstatic at full-time.

Charlie Charlesworth and Jim Stables with the trophy...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Charlie Charlesworth and Jim Stables with the trophy...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown manager Jim Stables celebrates...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown manager Jim Stables celebrates...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

"I'm delighted for Dufftown and the club," he said. "There are a lot of folk who work hard for the club so to win their first trophy at this level is brilliant.

"I'm delighted for the committee, the players and the fans – who turned up in good numbers to support the team."

Aiden Cruickshank, Ben Cullen and Finlay Stables with the cup...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Aiden Cruickshank, Ben Cullen and Finlay Stables with the cup...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black was called into action within seconds at Logie Park – turning away Matty Fraser's header well.

It was 1-0 to the Toonsers within six minutes, though, as Ben Cullen smashed home Finlay Stables' pass from inside the box.

Forres goalkeeper Daniel McLeod is rooted to the spot as Dufftown #10 Ben Cullen scores the opener...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres goalkeeper Daniel McLeod is rooted to the spot as Dufftown #10 Ben Cullen scores the opener...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown's Ben Cullen wheels away to celebrate the opening goal. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown's Ben Cullen wheels away to celebrate the opening goal. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

But Thistle fought back well and levelled on 18 minutes when Mattie Davidson's through ball was neatly clipped home by Fraser.

Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser scores past Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black to make it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser scores past Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black to make it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The game went into the break all square – but only after Dufftown passed up two chances to take the lead.

First, Michael Dunn's header came crashing back off the crossbar on 40 minutes and then, two minutes before half-time, Cullen's lob dropped just wide of the post.

The second half was a scrappier affair with few chances at either end until Dufftown edged back ahead on 78 minutes. Finlay Stables' header looped over Dan McLeod in the Forres goal and in.

Finlay Stables roars with delight after putting Dufftown ahead in the second half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Finlay Stables roars with delight after putting Dufftown ahead in the second half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their second half goal...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their second half goal...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Just as it seemed the trophy was headed to Dufftown, Forres struck again in time added on.

Michael Dunn conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Matty Fraser and Mattie Davidson stepped up to drill the ball from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.

Dufftown's Michael Dunn fouls Forres' Matthew Fraser late in the second half to give away a free kick on the edge of the box...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown's Michael Dunn fouls Forres' Matthew Fraser late in the second half to give away a free kick on the edge of the box...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Michael Dunn cannot believe referee Kevin Buchanan's decision as he awards a free kick to Forres and books the Dufftown centre half. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Michael Dunn cannot believe referee Kevin Buchanan's decision as he awards a free kick to Forres and books the Dufftown centre half. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Davidson strikes a late free kick, which deflects off Dufftown stopper Michael Dunn into the net. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle's Matthew Davidson strikes a late free kick, which deflects off Dufftown stopper Michael Dunn into the net. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle #11 Matthew Davidson celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for the Jags. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Forres Thistle #11 Matthew Davidson celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for the Jags. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The game went straight to penalties, where Dufftown prevailed 5-3. Forres midfielder Ross Paterson – who took first for the Jags – was the only player to miss in the shootout, seeing his low effort saved by Stewart Black.

Ross Paterson's Forres penalty was saved by Dufftown keeper Stewart Black...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Ross Paterson's Forres penalty was saved by Dufftown keeper Stewart Black...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Jim Stables added: "I thought that was it when they made it 2-2, I have to be honest. I thought the chances of us coming back after that were slim.

"They were on a high when it goes to penalties and we were on a downer. But the boys pulled us out and took the penalties brilliantly to a man.

"The last penalty, to win it, and young Aiden Cruickshank – who's 16 – took it like a seasoned pro. Just brilliant."

Dufftown's Aiden Cruickshank scores the winning penalty...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown's Aiden Cruickshank scores the winning penalty...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Jubilation for Dufftown meant devastation for Forres Thistle, who were playing in their first match since losing the title to Rothie Rovers at Logie Park in their last league match.

Manager Tony Ross said: "It's a gutting way to lose a game of football.

"We lost the league in the last kick of the game here and now we've lost a cup final on penalties here. It's all pretty hard to take.

"The players are gutted but they have got to be proud of what they have done this season – with the runs they have been on in the league and getting to a cup final.

"I'm proud of everything the players have done."

Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jack Macarthur and Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jack Macarthur and Dufftown celebrate their Elginshire Cup success...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

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