Alba’s big adventure

Nov 18 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MCDIARMID Park hosted another thriller on Sunday when Airdrie United won a penalty shoot-out to claim the Alba Challenge Cup in front of 4000 fans.

Like the McDiarmid final two years before, it required extra-time and penalties. But this time Ross County emerged on the losing side.

And one-time St Johnstone keeper Stephen Robertson, who spent nearly seven seasons at Perth, played a key role in capturing the trophy for the Diamonds.

He brilliantly saved two County penalties and watched another one miss the target after the final had finished tied at 2-2.

Another former Saint, Paul Lovering, received the trophy for Airdrie Utd and Stuart Noble, who was on loan at Saints from Fulham at one stage of his career, was on the bench.

Dyron Daal featured up front for County but fellow former Saints Danny Griffin and Paul Lawson missed out.

Last term, Saints won the silverware with a win over Dunfermline at Dens Park. This time round the competition has been sponsored by the BBC’s new Gaelic television station and the final was broadcast live from Perth.