WATCH: Warren Orford free kick in extra time wins Mike Simpson Memorial Trophy for Fochabers against RAF Lossiemouth at Borough Briggs home of Elgin City

STRIKER Warren Orford delivered a stunning free kick goal to secure the Mike Simpson Memorial Trophy for Fochabers Rockets.

Orford's curled effort from 25 yards sealed a 3-2 extra-time victory for the Moray Welfare Champions against nine man RAF Lossiemouth at Borough Briggs, home of Elgin City.

It was a fitting end to a game full of goals and drama.

The airmen twice led through Dan Rawlinson and Henry Jordan, and twice Fochabers levelled through Kieron Ingram and Ryan Higgins.

RAF Lossiemouth could have won it five minutes into added time at the end of normal time when Ryan Higgins conceded a penalty.

However, Jordan's spot kick came back off a post and Fochabers took the game to extra time.

The servicemen were already down to 10 men at this stage after Rawlinson, who had blasted them ahead five minutes before half-time with a wonderful effort, was shown two yellow cards in the space of three crazy minutes, first for kicking the ball away and then for a kick at Sean Petrie.

Ingram had levelled for Fochabers 11 minutes into the second half with a chip from outside the box.

Despite being down to 10 men, RAF Lossie restored their lead when Jordan rattled in a great effort from 25 yards in the 72nd minute.

However, with 10 minutes remaining, Ryan Higgins headed Fochabers level after glancing a superb Jamie Sutherland's cross into the net.

Deep into added time, a scramble in the Fochabers box saw a prostrate Ryan Higgins – who had literally run himself into the ground – try to use his head to block a shot and he was penalised for a handball.

Jordan didn't connect well from 12 yards and the ball hit Kieran Burchell's right hand post, before it was scrambled clear.

Fochabers went ahead for the first time in the 103rd minute when Orford curled home a free kick from outside the box, giving the impressive Toby Bluntsone in goal no chance.

Any hopes the airmen had of getting back on level terms disappeared when Jordan had a kick at Sutherland seven minutes from the end of extra-time and was dismissed for a second yellow card.

After watching skipper Ben Stewart lift the cup, Fochabers defender James Higgins said: "I am a bit flabbergasted we came away with the win considering their performance in the first half. They were excellent and wanted it more than us.

"We really struggled and half-time saved us. We changed things up a little bit and we got a goal back, and the game changed a little bit.

"We were extremely fortunate to be only one down at half-time. That's what gave us the belief to come out and start again.

"Credit to the boys, we just dug in. We had a couple of injuries and boys were struggling, and we just battled on. I am so proud of every single one of them."

Higgins admitted he thought the cup was slipping away when RAF Lossie got the penalty.

"I thought that was it. I didn't actually think it was a penalty but the decision was made and in my mind justice was served."

And as for Orford's stunning winner, Higgins added: "That guy can turn a game like that and he does it every season. What a free kick."

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