ABC Cup Final Back 3 Lochs 0 15th May
Back took home the first silverware of the season after humbling their more fancied opponents, Lochs, who failed to play anywhere near the levels that have seen them dominate local football for several seasons. As the referees whistle reverberated around the pitch both teams seem to take this as a sign that hostilities could begin as they flew into every available challenge. Back’s Hector MacPhee and Michael Mackay came off second best to some shuddering but fair challenges from the Lochs defence.
Back had decided to match the Lochs in midfield with Euan ‘Moley’ Macleod moving up from his normal position in defence. His place was more than filled by young DJ Macdonald who was probably as surprised as everyone else to be given his first senior start of the season. With the wind in their favour Back knew they had to score in the first half if they were to win this match but it was Lochs who had the first chance of the night with David Macmillan failing to test Tohan who was returning in goal for Back.
As the wind picked up so did Back as their forwards began to get behind the Lochs defence. The impressive Hector MacPhee found himself through on goal but took the ball too far beyond David Black and allowed Ali Mackenzie to block his shot although the angle was always too tight. Back were now using the wind and missing out midfield which seemed to work as Lochs struggled with the swirling wind and allowed Michael Mackay to get in behind them but again he delayed shooting and his effort was blocked.
Back then had a succession of corners which led to the opener. After realising that Lochs could easily deal with high corners Michael Mackay fired in a low one which Inny Red directed towards goal. David Black saved with his feet but the ball bounced up nicely for Back captain Ross Hall who nodded high into the net. It only took 5 minutes for Back to realise that a second goal would come in handy when Tohan’s long clearance was misjudged by Robert Mackenzie and Hector MacPhee nipped in, rounded David Black and lashed his shot high into the net. The smiles on the Back faces were equalled by the scowls on their opponents as Lochs realised that the match was beginning to slip away from their grasp.
Into the second half and Lochs were ripping into Back with wave after wave of attacks. David Macmillan shot over and Ross Hall threw himself into tackle after tackle as he superbly marshalled his defence against the inevitable onslaught from Lochs. The only way for Back to escape the pressure was to get the ball down and play it low and long and that is just what happened in the 65th minute when the ball was played out of defence to Martin Maclean. Martin coolly slipped it through to Michael Mackay who made no mistake this time rifling his shot into the bottom of the net.
For the remainder of the match Lochs were camped in the Back half but still could not find a way past the Back defence let alone trouble Tohan in goal. The tireless defending from wing backs Murdo Gress and David Maciver were denying Lochs the valuable space that they needed if they were to get back in the match. The space never came and neither did the goals.
The final whistle blew to put Lochs out their misery and signal the celebrations for everyone connected with Back. The Lochs fans streamed out of Goathill long before Hector MacPhee collected his man of the match award for an impressive performance. His control of the ball and assured performance which troubled Lochs all night just edged out Ross Hall who had to content himself with lifting the ABC cup for the first time since 2003.
Michael Mackay wheels away after scoring the killer third goal.
Young DJ Macdonald
