Gartcosh United 1

Doune Castle 2

DYLAN MCGOWAN came off the bench to net the winner as Doune captured the Caledonian League Premier Division crown for the second successive season.

Doune got off to a flier, netting after only 45 seconds with a great goal.

Lukasz Duszynski collected in midfield and slipped the ball wide to Sean Heaver. Heaver danced past the full back and squared across the face off the Gartcosh goal, and out of the reach of keeper Wilson.

Paul Statter scored his first-ever Castle goal with a well- timed back post run. Statter slid in strongly to force the ball home from a yard to make it 1-0.

Gartcosh countered with a corner from the right. Graham McClymont cleared the danger with a tremendous defensive header.

Gartcosh punished Doune for missing several good chances with an 18th minute equaliser.

Doune conceded a soft free kick 25 yards out in a wide-right area. Gartcosh sent the free kick to the back post where a defender was left unchallenged to head back across goal and into the net from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

Doune were denied a blatant spot kick after 29 minutes.

Two minutes later, Steven Fotheringham prevented Gartcosh taking the lead, diving to his left to parry a fierce first-time strike from 14 yards after a ‘Cosh corner had been headed out.

The game ebbed and flowed as both sides battled for the winner.

After 87 minutes, Dylan McGowan smashed home a dramatic second goal for Doune.

Jonny Burns overlapped on the right and pounced on a slack Gartcosh clearance. Burns drove into the box and past two defenders. With a clear sight on goal beckoning, Dylan McGowan reacted fastest, prodding the ball high into the Gartcosh net from 8 yards to make it 2-1.

The referee signalled the end of the game to trigger wild celebrations from a Castle side that deserves great credit for this fine win and even more impressive form throughout the League campaign.

Doune Castle: Fotheringham, Burns, More, Smith (Feaks), Duncanson, McClymont, Statter (Burke), McClure, Heaver, Duszynski, Ogilvie (McGowan) Substitutes: Innes, Holmes