A SOLITARY first-half strike from Andy Stevenson was enough for Maybole to claim the South Ayrshire Cup last Thursday evening in Troon.
Annbank Utd 0
Maybole Juniors 1
The win also keeps the trophy in Carrick for another season after Girvan won it last term.
It could have been a more comfortable margin for 'Bole but they smacked the woodwork three times and had to rely on a
couple of super stops from Martin McCaulay in the final minutes to keep their noses in front.
Annbank started the brighter and put the men from Ladywell under a bit of pressure with a number of corners.
'Bankies' best chance of the opening stages came after 10 minutes when James Wilson cut into the area and shot against the side netting.
Leonard's side were struggling to assert themselves in the middle of the park during the opening half-hour with both Paul Templeton and Barry Scott chasing shadows at times.
However, they took the lead after 26 minutes, much against the run of play.
Chris Clarke's free-kick from the right into the penalty area was flicked on by Paul Kerr in behind the Annbank defence and Stevenson was quickest to react to drill the ball home under Brian McGarrity.
The goal kicked 'Bole into life and their play and passing was far more crisp and fluent.
They almost worked their way past the Annbank defence but the through ball was over-hit and went straight through to keeper McGarrity. Andy Stevenson dispossessed the keeper but his shot came back off the post and away from danger.
It turned out to be the start of a lively period in the game, with both sides creating chances.
McCaulay's quick reflexes prevented Paul McKenzie's cross from hitting the back of the net. Then, just a minute later, he denied the same player with a fantastic high flying save to his left.
With the game opening up, there was plenty of space and Templeton almost doubled his side's advantage when he burst into the space in the Annbank box and rounded the keeper, only to see his shot come off the post.
Stephen Crawford followed in with the rebound but McGarrity recovered to parry away his effort.The second half began in a similar fashion, with both sides eager to push forward.
The better chances were created by Maybole and they should have added to their advantage during this stage.
Templeton saw his drive well saved by McGarrity after a neat cut-back from Kerr, Stevenson tried his luck with an overhead kick, which flew just past the post, then Scott hit the post with the keeper beaten.It was spell of pressure where 'Bole should have finished the game off but Lady Luck wasn't on their side as their opponents took heart from failings and pushed to get back into this cup tie.
Boyd it the post with an angled drive after 58 minutes as his side started to pile more bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
Despite their pressure, Annbank never forced McCaulay into action until the final few minutes. He produced two good saves to deny Shaun Allan and then produced his best save of game right in the dying moments.
Former Maybole defender Lee Holland found himself in acres of space inside the box and his drive looked a cert for the back of the net, but McCaulay produced a magnificent stop to deny his former team-mate.
All this took place with Maybole down to 10 men as Stuart Peacock was sent from the pitch for treatment to a face knock.
It was a nervy finish to the game as Maybole held out to bag themselves some silverware. The victory made up for the heartache of the penalty-kick agony away to Cumnock last week in the Ayrshire Cup.
Paul Templeton is set to head to the US for a soccer scholarship in the summer and there are also rumours that a few of the older players will call it a day now.
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising issue was that Paul Kerr was given the captaincy even with Peacock in the side - who has been captain throughout the season.
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