Birsay and St Andrews book Parish Cup Final places

July 22, 2018 at 10:09 pm

Jubilant Birsay supporters greet the full-time whistle with delight after watching their side see off Stromness.

Birsay and St Andrews will contest the 2018 The Orcadian Parish Cup Final, after edging past Stromness and St Ola on an extraordinary day of action.

Birsay ended Stromness’ three-year reign as champions after a 1-2 win, while St Andrews beat St Ola 3-4 in a thriller.

Trailing 1-0 from the first-leg, Birsay took control on Sunday afternoon at the Market Green, with Brian Garson and Sam Spence firing the West Mainland side into a 0-2 lead at the break.

Sam Hunter’s penalty took Stromness within one goal of a fourth successive final, however, the midfielder later saw red on a day of disappointment for the five-time champions.

At the Bignold, a double from Scott Drever and a Cameron Drever goal sent St Andrews into a shock three-goal lead at the break and 2-4 on aggregate against title favourites St Ola.

A double from Kyle Drever handed the home side a lifeline, before St Andrews’ Graham Rendall extended St Andrews’ lead.

James Linklater pulled a goal back with a penalty, and surviving a late onslaught, St Andrews booked their final spot on away goals after a 5-5 draw.