Inverness Royal Academy hold their nerve in penalty shoot-out to beat Dingwall Academy and win North of Scotland Cup
North of Scotland Cup Final
Dingwall Academy 1
Inverness Royal Academy 1
(Inverness Royal Academy win 4-3 on penalties)
Inverness Royal Academy lifted the North of Scotland Cup after they held their nerve in a penalty shoot-out to defeat Dingwall Academy on Monday night.
They came back from a goal down after Craig Lawrie, who also plays for Highland League team Clachnacuddin, gave them the lead on the half hour mark.
He latched on to a pass from Lewis Gibson before firing home a low drive from 12-yards out.
But Inverness Royal Academy got themselves back into the match seven minutes after the break when Sam Thompson scored from close range to make it 1-1.
Both teams had chances to win the game in normal time, but neither school could find the winning goal as the match went to penalties.
Goalkeeper Ryan Chalmers was the hero for Royal Academy as he stopped Dingwall’s fifth penalty from finding the net with an outstanding save to parry the ball away from the bottom right corner to win the shoot-out 4-3.
The final was played at Grant Street Park in Inverness, home of Highland League club Clachnacuddin with over 100 fans in attendance.
Inverness Royal Academy PE teacher Sandy Elrick said it was a terrific performance from his players to win the final and lift the trophy.
He said: “It was a close game and Dingwall have a very good side. But I think it was a fair result in the end as we put on a lot of pressure in the second half.
“Alex Robertson at centre back was really good for us and Ryan Chalmers made some great saves, including in the penalty shoot-out
“They have been fantastic throughout the whole tournament and done themselves proud again tonight.
“A few of the players are in sixth year so this was their last game for the school and it is a nice way to send them off.”
Read: Nairn St Ninian look to make an impact in Highlands and Islands League
Dingwall Academy PE teacher Kevin Mckie said while his players were disappointed, they put in a terrific effort on the night.
He said: “It was a tough physical game and conditions with the wind and grass pitch was a leveller.
“We took the lead against the run of play and perhaps Royal Academy were the better team in the first half.
“The second half could have gone either way with chances end to end for both teams.
“Unfortunately one team has to lose. We won on penalties in the semi final and you can’t win them all.
“IRA probably deserved it overall but penalties is always a lottery.”