Jeanfield reached the Ashleigh Cup Final for the fourth consecutive year, having won two of their previous three finals and hoping to make it three victories from four.

The final began cautiously, with both sides fully aware of what was at stake. Neither team wanted to give an inch, making for a tense opening spell.

A setback arrived in the 23rd minute when R. Gillies was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury.

Just a minute later, Jeanfield broke the deadlock. J. Welch launched a long kick forward which was flicked on brilliantly by J. Jardine into the path of A. Abboud, who raced through on goal and calmly nutmegged the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Kettins thought they had equalised almost immediately, but their celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee flagged for handball.

The Swifts doubled their advantage on 29 minutes. J. Howie produced a superb defence-splitting pass, allowing B. Calderwood to burst through before slotting confidently into the far corner for 2-0.

Jeanfield were beginning to control the game, but Kettins pulled one back on 38 minutes. A quickly taken corner caused problems, and although the goalkeeper punched clear, the ball fell kindly inside the box for a composed finish.

The Swifts went into the break holding a deserved 2-1 lead.

The second half could hardly have started worse. Within a minute of the restart, a quick throw caught Jeanfield off guard, and Kettins' midfielder lifted a superb finish over the goalkeeper into the far corner to level the scores.

Just a minute later, Kettins completed the turnaround as Jinks broke through the defence and finished well to make it 3-2.

Jeanfield now faced a huge task. They pushed relentlessly for an equaliser, while Kettins had a fourth goal ruled out for offside on 70 minutes.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it looked as though the Swifts' hopes were over. But in the 93rd minute, a deep cross into the box was brilliantly headed back across goal by B. Carle, and A. Abboud was on hand to fire home from close range, sparking incredible celebrations and sending the final into extra time.

Full Time
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 3
Kettins AFC 3
A. Abboud ⚽⚽
B. Calderwood ⚽

Extra time saw Jeanfield look the stronger side, lifted by their dramatic late equaliser.
On 100 minutes, J. Jardine raced clear on goal before being brought down just outside the box. It initially looked like a clear red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but after a lengthy discussion between the referee and assistant referee, the decision was changed to a penalty and a yellow card. Unfortunately, Jardine's spot kick struck the post.

Both sides gave everything during the remainder of extra time, but with tired legs all round, neither could find a winner and the final would be decided by penalties.

In the shootout, Kettins missed one penalty, while Jeanfield missed two, handing the Ashleigh Cup to their opponents.

Full Time (AET)
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 3
Kettins AFC 3
Kettins AFC win 7-6 on penalties.

Man of the Match was Scott Philips, who produced a tireless performance and covered every blade of grass.

#coyjs