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  • Seaboard Cup Final: Tain Thistle 6, Contin 1 | Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Seaboard Cup Final: Tain Thistle 6, Contin 1

    <b>TAIN THISTLE</b> have retained the Seaboard Cup, following a tightly contested match against league rivals Contin at Balintore's Seaboard Park on Saturday, which ultimately ended in a goal rout for the Jags.<div>Naming the sixteen man squad was no easy task for manager Daniel Cormack, despite captain Daniel Christie still enjoying post-wedding nuptials and Dave Murray unavailable.  Liam Rostock returned from injury, while Arron Christie, Darran Goller and Dave Macgruer all returned to the side. Also returning to the squad, Adam MacDonald and Martyn Farquhar took up a place on the bench.</div><div><br /></div><div>Games between Contin and Thistle have been close all season, and therefore it was a surprise when it appeared that the attack minded Jags grabbed an early foothold on the game and looked as though they may go on a rout.  Mark Lamont opened the scoring after just six minutes when he hit the back of the net with a shot across the face of goal, guided through a busy six yard box and past the outstretched arms of Ali Maclean. </div><div> </div><div><img width="95%" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/scf2016b.jpg"></div><div><br /></div><div>Maclean quickly began writing the script for a hero's performance though as he pulled off a number of saves. Denying Lamont on two occasions in quick succession, the Contin custodian kept the score at 0-1 throughout a first half in which Thistle had both possession and the elements in their favour.</div><div><br /></div><div>A long clearance ultimately handed Contin a lifeline just on the stroke of half time when they found themselves through on goal with three forwards to Thistle's one defender.  The Munro Park men did the needful and Ryan Dow secured the final touch to a simple move to beat Johnny Allan and level the scores.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second half kicked off and the wind was now in Contin's favour and it showed as they began to pester Thistle's back three.  Allan escaped embarrassment when he was nearly beaten at his near post with a shot off the upright as Contin passed up a chance to take the lead.  A formation change calmed things down for Tain as they looked to reassert their authority, and that they did on the hour mark, Lamont again forcing Maclean to produce a save, and Ryan Day heading into the clutches of Maclean soon after. Ten minutes later, Thistle restored their lead after assistant referee Barry Stuart flagged for a foul on Darran Goller in the eighteen yard box. Stepping up, Mark Lamont made no mistake with the resultant spot kick, sending the ball high into the top corner of the net.</div><div><br /></div><div>For all the wind had played a factor in the game, the penalty kick had knocked all of the wind out of Contin and on 80 minutes, the impressive Darran Goller put the game beyond doubt when he cut inside with pace before sending the ball past Maclean with an expert finish. </div><div><br /></div><div><img class="imgleft" width="350" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/scf2016a.jpg"></div><div>A wild few minutes followed as Cammy Mackintosh moved into a wing role and glided along the by line before laying the ball off to Lamont for his hat-trick and just moments later, substitute David MacIver was felled on the edge of the box shortly after and taking the resultant penalty award, Lamont netted his fourth to make it 5-1. </div><div><br /></div><div>With the final goal of the game, Robert Ross laid the ball to his fellow sub MacIver who volleyed the ball into the net with the goal of the match.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, the 6-1 result did not tell the story of a match which was very closely fought by both sides, however, Thistle were deserved of the victory, claiming their third Seaboard Cup in five years.  Post-match, the trophy was presented to stand-in captain Alan Duff by sponsor's representative Gordy Lowe.</div>

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