Moffat lift Trophy but Palmerston take the points

With the season drawing to a close the battle for silverware gets heated, and last Thursday the top two in the league squared up for a spot in the Houliston cup semis as League cup winners Hole in the Wa hosted Premier Champions Moffat Thistle. A very even first half saw the sides separated when Jamie Carlyle converted a penalty kick for the visitors just before the break and seven minuted into the second half Callum Saunders made it 2-0 to Moffat. Hole in the Wa rallied and ten minutes later Eddie Marshall drilled home to reduce the arrears, but Moffat held on to progress. Moffat will host Normandy Star in the semis as they saw off Five Arches Bombers. Ross Edwards and Duncan Smith were on target for the Bombers but goals from Jack Ogston, Greg Walls, Bobby Green and Paul McCann saw Normandy through. The final quarter final was played on Sunday and Nithside progressed at the expense of FC Annan. John Campbell continued his scoring streak for Annan but a Thomas Nicholson double had Nithside ahead. FC Annan were denied twice by the bar and as they pushed for an equaliser Nithside showed no mercy with goals from Mark McGhie and Michael McGhie in the final five minutes. Black Bull Rovers finished a disappointing season with hope for next year as they rattled eight past Loreburn Thistle. Matty Donagher banged in four and Jon Muir helped himself to a brace, Connor Houston and an Own Goal added to the scoreline, Martin Edgar replied for Loreburn with a well struck free kick. Kelloholm completed their league campaign as they travelled to Normandy Star and the Dumfries side showed the visitors no mercy as Sean McIntyre scored a hattrick and Mark Cravens hit a double. Craig Roscoe, John Howie, Jack Ogston and Dylan Irving also found the net for Normandy. Palmerston Colts travelled to Moffat to watch the home side lift the Premier Trophy but the Dumfries side were in search of the points which could help them to a top half finish and an early Andy Gilston goal put them ahead. Moffat fought back and levelled through Dale Talaszko but Palmerston clearly wanted the points more as Ryan Gilmore put them back in front and Craig Kerr bagged a brace, his second a rasping free kick, to secure three vital points.