Linlithgow Rose accomplished the primary half of a possible cup double as they struck twice late on to carry the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.
It was occasion time in Penicuik for Gordon Herd’s males as they defeated Gala Fairydean Rovers 3-1 in entrance of a bumper crowd at Penicuik Park.
Alan Docherty was the Rose hero as he bagged the opener earlier than firing them again in entrance on 83 minutes after the Lowland League outfit had levelled issues up earlier than half-time.
Sean Heaver ensured the trophy was heading again to Prestonfield as he stroked dwelling the third within the closing moments.
It was Linlithgow’s first piece of silverware for eight years - and so they have an opportunity to make it two in as many weeks once they tackle both Whitehill Welfare or Tranent in Sunday’s East of Scotland League Cup closing.
The 90 minutes was one thing of an odd affair in that Linlithgow had been completely dominant within the first half but went into the break at 1-1 whereas Gala had been far superior within the second half however couldn’t discover a second objective earlier than the Rose struck twice within the closing seven minutes to bag the trophy.
Docherty was a risk all afternoon and he went shut early on as Linlithgow peppered the Rovers objective for a lot of the opening 45 minutes.
His early free-kick went narrowly large whereas Connor McMullan twice went near opening the scoring - the primary effort brilliantly tipped large by Josh Blair earlier than the Rose man’s delicate chip over the keeper went over the bar.
Liam Allison then noticed his header saved by the busy Gala goalie earlier than the stress lastly led to the impasse being damaged on 36 minutes.
Large play down the fitting flank noticed McMullan jink his approach into the field earlier than his cutback ultimately fell to Docherty with the striker firing dwelling from 10 yards.
The Rose almost prolonged their lead twice when each McMullan and Allison went shut from Heaver corner-kicks earlier than they had been hit on the counter-attack as first half ticked into injury-time.
An extended ball caught Linlithgow’s defence chilly with former Pumpherston striker Zander Murray racing via and slotting the equaliser previous Lewis McMinn.
That sparked an entire change in momentum as Jimmy Scott’s facet got here out after the interval and managed a lot of the second half.
Some extent-blank save from McMinn denied Marc Berry from 4 yards out simply earlier than the hour mark after which nearly instantly rescued his facet once more because the raced out to thwart Ryan Schiavone earlier than scrambling again to claw the second effort off the road.
Murray appeared set to nod Rovers in entrance halfway via the second half when he was discovered on the again submit however his effort lack conviction and was palmed away by McMinn.
Having weathered a sustained interval of stress, Linlithgow ultimately grew into the second half.
McMullan was discovered unmarked on the again submit no 74 minutes by Docherty however was unable to direct his header the fitting facet of the submit for his liking whereas skipper Gary Thom noticed his header brilliantly saved by Blair.
There was a way of the Rose now being within the ascendency and so they made it rely with seven minutes remaining as Heaver’s header discovered Docherty on the sting of the realm.
The striker, operating away from objective, fired again throughout himself and into the far nook to make sure the Rose had one hand firmly on the trophy.
They usually received each arms on it in injury-time as Heaver was performed in by substitute Mark Stowe, calmly turned inside and curled the ball into the underside nook to spark scenes of pleasure amongst the Rose gamers and followers.
Having waited eight years for a cup triumph, they’ll be hoping it’s only a seven day hole earlier than their subsequent piece of silverware.
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