Perthshire Amateur FA - Letham secure cup

May 23 2008

LETHAM secured their second successive cup this season with a hard-fought but dominating 2-0 victory over Ballinluig in the Ashleigh Cup final, thanks to goals from Simpson and Smith.

Star Of Atholl upset the odds to defeat neighbours Vale who led twice through Jamieson but were pegged back both times, losing a crucial three goals in the last 10 minutes in the North Perthshire Cup semi final.

Bridge of Earn advanced to the semi-final spot in the Consolation Cup against old rivals Vale of Earn, thanks to a high five from McDonald (2), Gahan (2) and Findlay at home to the Strath.

Newly-crowned Division Two champions Vale of Earn celebrated in style going goal crazy on a midweek trip to Wolfhill while the Division Three champions Almondvale slumped to another defeat to Methven who have now completed the double over them this season.

Going into the final Saturday of the season, there are still crucial league games to be played to decide the top places in each division.

Firstly, Letham and Breadalbane meet at Seven Acres to decide runners-up spot in the top division. Letham are in pole position, only needing a draw on the day. Champions Vale of Earn will be presented their trophy before the tie against Bridgeton United who will be out to spoil their promotion party.

The game of the day for the last promotion spot sees Coupar Angus with a four- point lead host rivals Bridge of Earn who need to win to put promotion in their hands for their last game against Bridgeton. The pressure is on Fairfield in Division Three as nearest rivals Kinrossie CSSA lie one point behind them going into the final games. They are expected to take maximum points at home to Comrie.

RESULTS for Tuesday, May 20: Ashleigh Cup final – Letham 2, Ballinluig 0.

North Perthshire Cup semi final – Vale of Atholl 2, Star of Atholl 4.

Consolation Cup quarter final – Bridge of Earn 5, Strathearn Grove 2.

County Sports League Division Two – Wolfhill 1, Vale of Earn 7. Division Three – Methven 5, Almondvale 2.

Fixtures for tommorrow (Saturday), all kick off’s League at 2pm, unless agreed earlier kick off:

County Sports League Division One – Ballinluig v Roselea (K Stewart); Balmoral Utd v Kinross Utd (D Muir); Letham v Breadalbane (K Barclay).

County Sports League Division Two – Coupar Angus v Bridge of Earn (D McCorquendale); Vale of Earn v Bridgeton Utd (K Shaw).

County Sports League Division Three – Kinrossie CSSA v Comrie Rovers (D Brydie); Fairfield v Almondvale (M Sharpe); Newtyle Hearts v Gateway (R Thomson).

Tuesday, May 27, all kick off’s League and Cup 7pm:

Consolation Cup final at Brownlands Park,home of Luncarty JFC – Balmoral Utd/Letham Utd v Vale of Earn/Bridge of Earn (D McCorquendale referee, W Grieve and P Lynch).

North Perthshire Cup final – Star of Atholl v Breadalbane (R McDougall referee, S Bonthrone and D Brydie).

County Sports League Division Two – Bridgeton Utd v Bridge of Earn (E Dow).

Thursday, May 29, kick off 7pm – North Perthshire League Cup final – Breadalbane v Ballinluig (K Stewart).

LETHAM Amateurs (sponsored by The Welcome Inn, Rannoch Road) The Tangerines in their semi final tie against Gateway raced into a two goal advantage after only three minutes played. Credit to the visitors who kept plugging away and managed to pull a goal back. Two further goals by Letham secured their place in the final. On Tuesday night at Luncarty in an entertaining game the Tangerines won by two goals to nil against Ballinluig to win the prestigious Ashleigh Cup. Tomorrow the team play their final league game at home to Breadalbane. A draw will secure the runners up position in the league championship. Meet clubhouse at 11.30 a.m. for a 12.30 p.m. kick off