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.”
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.
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.