Cupar Hearts Just Miss Out................

Cupar Hearts were really unlucky on Sunday, and the whole of Cupar should be proud of them. We must remember that they faced a very solid team who got the break on the day. The people of Cupar and surrounding area's also turned out in big numbers. I travelled on the bus from the Springfield Tavern it was a very good day out and one which I enjoyed.
This report below was in Monday's Courier (copyright)
AROUND 2000 Cupar Hearts fans saw their team robbed of glory again in the final of the Scottish Amateur Cup at Hampden yesterday. The Fife footballers were defeated 1-0 by Drumchapel United in a nail-biting final. Cupar Hearts had reached the final in 1950 and 1957, losing out to Queen’s Park and then Giffnock North. The Fife Amateur Cup winners hoped it would be third-time lucky, but were unable to find the net during the 90 minutes.
The manager, Austin MacPhee—at 27 the youngster ever manager to lead his team out at Hampden—said they played well and were unfortunate to go a goal down through a set-piece in the first half. He said, “The players are gutted... In the second half the boys worked incredibly hard and dominated the game. We created a number of chances but we just couldn’t score.
“Drumchapel defended quite deep and it was difficult to get in behind them.” The team was hampered by Czech midfielder Ondra Matusik being pulled off after the first half due to a knee injury. MacPhee said, “He has been brilliant for us all season and sometimes we look to him to do that special something to get us back in the game.” The club won 10 games and scored 33 goals to secure their place in the final. MacPhee said, “It’s been a great experience for everyone, but we are just disappointed we couldn’t go that bit further.” He added, “It was phenomenal seeing so many people from Cupar there.” Just reaching the final is an achievement for the 117-year-old club, and created a buzz in Cupar. At the start of the season matches attracted only a handful of die-hard supporters, but around 600 scarves and 500 shirts were sold in the run-up to yesterday’s fixture. Bus and car-loads of maroon-clad fans left Cupar yesterday morning.
Although the team returned without the cup, a crowd of supporters gathered in the town centre to welcome them home last night. Fan Barbara Maclean, who had painted hearts on her face for the occasion, said, “It didn’t matter whether they won or not, just to be at Hampden was fantastic.” Alan Makein said, “The team has done brilliantly. Everyone is very proud of them and the atmosphere was great.”

Match Report From The Fife Herald(copyright)

Cupar Hearts 0 Drumchapel United 1, Hampden Park, 27/May/07.

HEARTS were broken at Hampden, but the town of Cupar has every right to be proud of its team after a gutsy performance that fell just short of glory on Sunday.
A first half goal conceded from a corner kick was all that separated the brave Fifers from the victorious Drumchapel United as, for the second Scottish Cup final in 24 hours, the trophy remained in Glasgow.A remarkable turn-out of over 1000 Cupar fans brought tremendous backing for the team, and ensured the national stadium, although mainly empty, wasn't short on atmosphere.And few could grudge Hearts such a stage, after all they and Drumchapel were just two teams among 610 entrants when the Scottish Amateur Cup kicked off back in September.Many reckon that the intense level of competition makes it the hardest trophy to win in the country, and even those who leave with runners-up medals can claim to be winners in their own right.There was very little to chose between the two teams but while defeat was cruel on Cupar, they can take a crumb of comfort in that it took a very good Drumchapel side to stop them.Hearts showed they can play football, and had the chances to win, but there was little more the players could have offered, except perhaps more clinical finishing.

Latest From Dens.

Dundee will parade two unnamed signings on Wednesday and promise four other new faces this summer. The First Division club also confirmed that manager Alex Rae would receive an increased budget for next season. But chairman Bob Brannan has stressed to the Tayside business community that further cash will have to be raised to balance the budget. Chief executive Dave MacKinnon pointed out that the club is considering developing land for housing.
Dundee are looking at developing the Dens Park side of their stadium "with a new South Stand as part of the development". MacKinnon has held initial discussions with a building developer.

Cupar Hearts To Make History?

All roads lead to Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday for hundreds of Cupar Hearts fans. A fleet of at least 20 buses, plus dozens of cars, will leave Cupar on Sunday morning, carrying supporters to the Soccer World Scottish Amateur Cup final. Our bus leaves from Springfield at 11:00, it will be a good day out. Hearts take on Drumchapel United as they bid to lift the trophy for the first time in their history, and expect to have the backing of around 1000 fans from Fife. The squad expect to return to Cupar around 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, and hope to be able to parade the trophy at The Cross.

Cupar Hearts have been to the final twice before but lost both.

Latest News From Dens Park.

Dundee have announced details of a further three pre-season friendlies. After welcoming Millwall to Dens Park on Saturday, July 14, the Dark Blues travel to Montrose on Tuesday 17th, host Motherwell on Tuesday 24th and are at Stenhousemuir on the 25th. They are still attempting to fix up home matches on the 21st and 28th against English opposition. And Dundee will either be heading for the Highlands or north-east England for a short training camp early on in the process of building towards next term. Player-manager Alex Rae hopes to unveil an addition to his squad later this week.

Cupar Eagles Cup Dreams Are Over.

Eagles lined up in confident mood on the back of a great victory in the last round hoping to create history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time v Petrol Heads in the St Andrews Community Cup Q/F. The stakes were high and the tension reached fever pitch as the management team tried to calm the players down prior to kick-off.
With a torrential downpour as the match got underway Petrol Heads seemed to adapt better and punished a hesitant Syme in defence to go one up and with a uncharateristic fumble by Beauchope in goal it was soon 2 nil. Eagles were right back into it when a Marshall exquisite pass released McLuckie and he buried his shot into the bottom left hand corner to make it 2-1. Eagles through everything bar the kitchen sink in search of the elusive equaliser with tremendous stops by the Petrol Heads goalie but were left disappointed as the halt-time whistle went.
Eagles made a couple of tactical changes for the second half with a very bold attacking formation in order to chase the game but with gaps now appearing in defence Petrol Heads counter attacking football was to prove more efficient as the Eagles lost another 3 goals. Clive was introduced into the fray and the veteran play-maker rolled back the years with a vintage display running at the Petrol Heads defence but with luck seemingly against the Eagles as chances came and went it was Petrol Heads who wrapped up this Cup match scoring twice more for a convincing 7-1 win to reach the last 4 as the Eagles trudged off the park despondent but were given a warm reception by the Eagles support who had braved the elements to follow the team.
Final Score: Cupar Eagles 1 Petrol Heads 7
Eagles line-up:
1. Andrew Beauchope
2. Ally Syme
3. Gregg McLuckie
4. Gary Pryde
5. Mark Malcolm
6. Craig Halley
Subs:
7. Tommy Marshall
8. Colin Clive
Match Sponsors: Ali's Discount Store

Cupar Eagles Are Up For The Cup....................

Cupar Eagles freed from the pressures of the league campaign made theirfirst appearance in the St Andrews Community Cup against the highlyfanciedBlazing Squad in front of a large highly vocal crowd. Manager Marshallhad to rejig his resources right from the start with Beauchope having toreplace the injured McGregor in goals. The Eagles were psyched up for this oneand went on the offensive straight away and it was no surprise when Malcolm opened the scoring placing the ball wide of the advancing keeper afterbeen released by Halley. Beauchope was producing a fine performance in goals with some truly remarkable reflex saves preserving the Eagles lead. The second goal duly arrived for the Eagles with Pryde finishing off a fine move to leave the keeper with no chance from 10 yards out with a neat shot into the corner. It was going well for the Eagles, too well as they suffered a blow towards the end of the first half with the loss of their inspirtational captain Mullen with a torn achilles, he was to be replacedby McCluckie. Marshall now had to reorganise again in the second half, with Malcolm joining Syme at the back and the two of them seemed to break the hearts of the Blazing Squad mopping up every attack with ease. Blazing Squad gave themselves a lifeline after an error from Marshall allowed the unmarked striker his first clear shot at goal and the ball looped over Beauchop into the net. Eagles pressed for the decisive third goal and it duly arrived with McCluckie sending the keeper the wrong way with a well taken snap shot. Blazing Squad knew it was not to be their night whenHalley added a fourth and final goal after a mazy run leaving three players inhis wake and played a quick one two with Marshall to leave himself in on the keeper from where he made no mistake. The Eagles support burst into life five minutes from time with the introduction of Clive back from anenforced lay-off. Final Score: Cupar Eagles 4 v Blazing Squad 1 The Eagles are through now to the Quarter-Finals where the Petrol Headslie in wait. All players, officials and supporters are reminded thattransport will leave from the usual place for the next round. In an Eagles side without any failuresMan of the Match was awared to the whole team for a truly remarkable performance. Match Sponsors: Alis Discount Store Cupar.
Eagles Team: 1. Andrew Beauchope 2. John Mullen 3. Ally Syme 4. Mark Malcolm 5. Gary Pryde 6. Craig Halley Subs: 7. Tommy Marshall 8. Greg McCluckie 9. Colin Clive

Clear Out Starts At Dens.

Dundee have started building for next season by telling Ross Harris and Craig Higgins they will not be offered new contracts at Dens Park. And manager Alex Rae will not bid to keep on-loan trio Jay Shields, Kevin Smith and Robert Campbell at the club. A bounce game was held as well and rumours say that Nathan Lownes impressed and he might get an offer.

Clyde 1 Dundee 1, Broadwood Stadium, 28/April/07.

Clyde and Dundee drew 1-1 at sunny Broadwood on Saturday, and with only the main stand open a few Dundee fans missed the kick-off. We started brightly and Brian Clark missed the target after a great move. But he scored a cracker from the edge of the box withe a great low drive. As we tried to finish the game off Alex Williams shot home to level things up at halftime. The second half was pretty end of the season fair and the only down point was Derek Lyle's dismissal. The striker received a straight red card 14 minutes from time for a tackle on Robert Harris and then appearing to stamp on the defender on the ground. Well l never saw that! So that's it for another season and it was a improvement from last year, hopefully we can bring in the six players we need to make a challenge next season.