The Co-op Cup Final: Barra 1 Point 1
(Barra win 5-4 on pens)
Barra kept their cool to win their first ever Co-op Cup on penalties after yet another dramatic late show. Martin MacPhee’s side scored all five of their penalties to become the first ever team from the Uist and Barra League to win the trophy.
The cup looked to be slipping away from their grasp when Caliean MacArthur fumbled a cross from Point’s left-back Alex Lamb to give the Lewis side the lead in the 76th minute. However, just as the Point appeared to be edging towards victory, Michael MacInnes equalised with a fantastic header from a corner to take the game to penalties.
The cruel nature of a penalty shoot-out meant that one team would be left disappointed after what had been a thoroughly even and fairly contested match.
Unfortunately for Point, with the score at 1-1 in the shoot-out, Sam Macsween saw his effort saved by MacArthur, who more than made amends for his earlier mistake.
Both teams successfully dispatched their next three penalties, leaving Craig Ferguson of Barra with the chance to win the Cup for his team.
Ferguson, who had been the saviour in the 2nd round against Lochs, coolly struck the ball into the bottom-right corner beyond Alex Wright to seal a historic victory for his team.
Barra showed fantastic spirit to maintain the belief that they could still win the trophy despite trailing so late into the match. The win marks a brilliant achievement for Martin MacPhee’s team, who will celebrate what is a famous victory for the club.
A full match report will be published in the September print edition of Am Paipear