Hazlehead United 4 – 3 St Laurence
Report by Andy McLaren
Hazlehead United won the first silverware of 2012 after clinching a compelling match to win 4-3 in the Aberdeen Trophy Centre Barclay Cook Cup Final at Glenury Park, Stonehaven.
The Division Two (East) leaders were immediately pegged back as the pace and tenacity of Blair McCombie and Jordan Miles caused difficulty for the Hazlehead defence throughout the match.
St Laurence controlled much of the opening possession and scored the game’s first goal on five minutes. The sensational partnership of McCombie and Miles linked together and it was McCombie who supplied the end product as he calmly chipped the ball over the on-rushing Steven Fraser to make it 1-0.
Moments later, St Laurence’s Ryan Arthur headed inches wide before the impressive Miles blasted his side into a comfortable 2-0 lead after a brave solo run which left the Hazlehead defence flat-footed.
In a first half that was fiercely contested, Hazlehead’s target man Nicky Elmslie, came close as he unleashed a ferocious shot that came back off the bar and was well saved by Gavin Hadden.
Elmslie was again frustrated by St Laurence goalkeeper Hadden after he forced his way into the area, only for the stopper to keep out another skilful effort from Hazlehead’s leading goalscorer with his feet which saw the ball go over the bar.
Respite was short-lived for St Laurence, however, as Elmslie, who had scored three goals in their win over Division One’s Nicolls Amateurs the previous week, tucked away his effort to keep their cup dream alive.
St Laurence supporters had gone from elation to anxiety. This was even more telling when Hazlehead completed their comeback just before half time. St Laurence ultimately paid the price for their failure to deal with the height of the Hazlehead team as Raymond Massey nodded in from a David Macklin corner.
Half-time: 2 – 2
A moment of controversy immediately followed the restart as Paul Cameron lofted a long ball up to Blair McCombie, who showed great vision to jink past Daniel Smith and rifle a shot past Fraser, only for the asssistant referee to flag for hand ball.
This seemed to galvanise Hazlehead as they scored from a deflected cross by David Macklin immediately after to send their supporters into jubilant celebrations but to also force disappointment on the St Laurence touchline.
Attack-minded St Laurence always believed they could find a way back into the game, and when McCombie’s shot was charged down his strike partner Jordan Miles was on hand to steer in a half volley from fifteen yards.
The match fast became a gripping end-to-end contest with plenty of chances at both ends.
Hazlehead, who had opted for a 4-5-1 formation, became tired and invited pressure from St Laurence who had the better of the chances.
Hazlehead United manager Duncan Stewart decided to bring on Neil Humphries and it was the powerful midfielder who powered in a header from a Jamie Colvin cross.
The final stages were enthralling as both sides searched for a pivotal goal for different reasons.
Then there was another great chance for Hazlehead to secure their win as Hadden blocked a close-range shot from captain Paul Vass.
The Hazlehead faithful were in fine voice at the full-time whistle as their side held on for a 4-3 victory to secure their second cup at Amateur level after winning the North of Scotland Amateur Cup in 2009.
Full Time: 4 – 3
